DeadCellM60

Hey everyone, I've been trying to figure this one out for a few weeks but no luck. Hopefully someone can help.

As the title suggests, I have a sound coming from the Jeep, the front-left wheel area more specifically. The Jeep is lifted 3".

-It does it when depressing the brake just as I come to a stop and again as I release the brake to start rolling.
-It does it at full lock but only while turning left (parked position).
-Speed bumps cause it as well (or any slow, high bump).
-It'll happen while turning left (at speed) on occasion.
-It happens with or without the swaybar connected.

What I've replaced:
TRE's (all)
Brake Calipers, Pads, and Rotors
Axleshaft U-Joint
Hub Bearing is good
Lugs are tight
Ball Joints passed the shakedown and pry-bar test, no movement whatsoever.

The lift included (front half):
Coil Springs
Sway Bar Discos
Shocks
Track Bar (everything is tight)

Squeaking springs maybe? I'm at a loss. The Jeep is solid as can be but it's an annoyance I just have to get in order. Thanks in advance for any help.

BigzXJ

So the noise only comes when the front suspension is compressing? Like hitting bumps or the weight of the jeep pushes down on the suspension. Is this a recently new left?

BNJeepsta

Sounds kinda like a contol arm bushing

DeadCellM60

Yes and yes. Or, at least that's a big part of it. The lift is no more than two months old. The sound came about a month after the lift and seems to be getting easier to create.

DeadCellM60

That's a solid idea. I'll have to double check for play in the bushings there. I'll let you know what I find. Thanks.

DeadCellM60

I checked the bushings on the LCAs and UCA's. They aren't terrible but could use replacing. I checked for contact marks between the arms themselves and the mounts and didn't see any evidence of contact. Regardless, they're all getting replaced.

Hopefully this is it. Any other ideas? I'll try to prepare my wallet accordingly. Lol.

BigzXJ

Have you had a buddy push down hard on the while you lay under it? Try to pin point the noise better. The bigger the friend more likely you will hear it. LOL.

DeadCellM60

Haha. Oh yes. I've got a bear of a friend who did that for me. I was terrified the springs were gonna snap or the bumper was gonna rip off. Lol.

The strange bit though is that I didn't hear a thing. That might suggest it's more the front-to-back motion of a bump rather than the up-and-down that causes the sound.

Edit: Or rotational (as in wheel/brake/joint movement).

BNJeepsta

How are your t case mounts and motor mounts?

DeadCellM60

Both are good; no signs of wear. The sound is definitely centralized in the Drivers-Front wheel area (like no further in than the LCA mount on the axle) and I'm near certain it's not in the engine bay. I'm gonna experiment a little tonight to try to rule out some suspected components.

BNJeepsta

Do you have a go pro camera or know someone who has one?

DeadCellM60

Good news. Well...kinda. I traced the noise to the Heim Joint end of my track bar. It's not a movement you can see but you can feel the vibrations in it when the sound happens. Luckily, the bolt that goes though the frame mount does not move and the bar itself is rock solid. All I can figure is the joint has lost lubrication, if that's even a normal thing. Maybe hit it with some spray lube?

BNJeepsta

Spray lube may quiet it, but if its out of grease then its on its way to being junk. Is it adjustable? If so just get a new rod end.

DeadCellM60

It is. It's the Rubicon Express RE1600 Track Bar. The joint is Teflon, no need for actual grease which makes it all the more surprising it's gone dry. It's no more than a month old.

BNJeepsta

Yeah thag doesnt make sense. Id be getting a hold of whomever you bought it from and raise some hell