pit

hi
My 2001 G/C larado 4x4 has developed an annoying rear thump. Seems everything underneath is tight including exhaust. I changed front & rear shocks and it stopped for awhile. I chose not to to go with factory ones instead I used Monroes sensa -track they were terrible. Than I changed to Monroe Reflex and the thump went away instantly. Its been 6 months and now the thump is back. Any ideas. Thanks

Kyle

Describe it more, when does it happen. where does it sound like its happening?

pit

Kyle
When ever I drive over bumps It sounds as if the shock is bottoming out. The thump noise is coming from D/S rear. Like I said Ive changed shocks twice. Im thinking to try a third time, this time with factory ones. Thanks for getting back

tsconver

most of the aftermarket shocks do not have wide enough inner bushings on the shock mounts for the rear of 99 - 04 GCs. THere are kits that is a replacement inner bushing that is wider than what comes with the shock and is the same width as the factory shocks. YOu could also go buy a few wahers to take up the space between the shocks inner bushing ans the mount on the jeep. Also you need to torque to spec but that is almost impossible if you do not account for the incorret width of the inner bushing. Hope that makes sense. If you search some of teh other jeep forums the thump you describe is pretty common.

Here is a source of a kit to fix the thump
http://www.kevinsoffroad.com/wj/wj_25kit.html

Kyle

Also you might want to consider greasing your slip joint on your rear DS. That will often cause a thump in similar situation.

WJCraig

Worn out tranny mount bushings, engine mounts...as well as probably 10,000 other things...Hope you figure it out soon...Keep us posted!

tsconver

gaurantee it is his shocks, for some unkown reason jeep made teh WJ upper mounts wider than stok shocks and any aftermarket replacements will thump like hell.

Kyle

Good to know, learn something new everyday.

pit

Thanks for all the feedback, but it seems that there is a up country suspension which I believe I dont have. My has a bolt that goes horizontal through the bracket and fits very snug. Where would I put these washers?

WJCraig

If you grab the top of your shock, can you move it back and forth at the upper mount (If you're talking about what I think you are)? I know I can on mine, and I bought some washers to act as spacers, but they were just a hare too small for the bolt to fit through, and I haven't gotten around to getting some slightly larder ones yet. Anyway, at the upper shock mount if there is any play, that's where you would place a couple of washers to fill the gap, and tighten things up...

Later.

tsconver

you can crush the mount to fit down tight onthe shock top but it will still clunk. It is always the upper shock bolt and the metal sleeve that goes through the top shock loop. It is too narrow on aftermarket shocks and you can never get tehm to tighten up enough to not thump.

pit

Thanks TS, at this point I think I'll just purchase the factory shocks what you say makes sense.

tsconver

personally I would just go buy a handful of washers from your local hardware store that match the bolt diameter and stack them to take the space out, then torque to spec. Aftermarket shocks are going to be better quality than factory IMHO

pit

Thanks ts, I'll give it a try. As soon as this heatwave leaves Long Island, its just to dam humid to do anything outside.

tsconver

you may want to pry the upper mount back out to the original width as well before you do the washers and torquing.