Just got the 100% stock '99 WJ limited with a VERY loose front end and totally worn out shocks. Replaced them, got it aligned and it's a thousand times better than when I drove it home but it still has a very loud "banging" or clanking sound if I take a bump too fast. Ball joints? The Jeep has 182000 and some of those was being towed behind a motorhome. I'm new to Jeeps but not to offroading and I'm anxious to get back onto the trail after almost 20 years of "life". Any help would be appreciated.

 

It could be the ball joints it could be any of the control arm bushings it could be the swaybar its hard to say with out seeing it in person.Crawl under it look for things that look wore out or scare you lol.

 

I'd say ball joints. My 2000 WJ's lower ball joints were shot at 170K miles. They were so bad the steering squeaked when turning at low speed in the cold. 0* and below. It would want to change lanes over bumps.

It makes me wonder how good your alignment is. Bearing hubs are another thing to look at.

 

Okay. I'll replace the ball joints and sway bar bushings. Hell, maybe just replace all the stock rubber bushings with greasable polyurethane bushings. I plan on a mild lift, maybe 2.5 or 3 inches. No real rock crawling, just want to be prepared for most of what I might find on the dirt. Oh yeah. It does make a lot of noise over the lane bumps on the freeway. Thanks. I'll check in to let everyone know how it works.

 

WHAT? Greasable polyurathane? Why would you need grease with poly bushings? Good luck finding them.

 

Poly bushings will give a more precise feel and handling, but at the cost of ride comfort. You'll also have less flex when off road.

 

What I'm looking at...http://energysuspension.com/products...-Bushings.html.

People say they dont squeek like the non-greasable kind

"less flex... and compromised ride comfort". I suppose if I just replace the factory rubber type, that would suffice. probably good for another 100,000 miles?

 

If its just a daily driver stick to the oem stuff.

 

Rockauto has complete arms for just a little more than the cost of the bushings.