Any jeep savvy mechanics out there?

[instafood]

So I recently took my jeep wrangler 4wheeling and on the way back every time I hit a bump with my rear driver’s side wheel there is a loud clunk. It sounded like a rock but when I got home and stuck my head up there every thing looks fine with no rocks or any visibly broken parts. Then I thought that I might have blown a shock but that side isn't riding any lower than the passenger’s side. And it’s still drivable with no steering pull.

Has this happened to any one, and if so did you find out what the cause was?
Any suggestions would help a lot lot lot.

[rhys]

You could have reached the end of the suspension travel. That makes a loud clonk.

The check for a dead shock: bounce the corner of the vehicle up and down and keep it bouncing then see how long it remains bouncing. If it's still bouncing after a second then the shock is dead. Another clue is oil on the outside of the shock (for oil-filled shocks).

[purelithium]

I'm actually rebuilding a Wrangler right now, were the bumps large ones, or just regular road bumps? You may have a failing shock, and your axle is hitting the rubber bump-stop on the frame. not really dangerous, but a failing shock is a pretty bad thing to happen... your suspension is the only thing between you and the pavement, really.

try the "test" that Rhys mentioned, but it's hard to diagnose something like this over the 'net.

[Tom W]

Something's probably worked loose. Check the spring mounts, control arms, shock mounts, and all that. Any moving part that ties the axle to the body. You may have to jack up the body to see what's wrong.

Is the Jeep modified or stock?

[instafood]

Its a stock 1997 and it happends on small things like the small bumps between pavements like a driveway. and i didn't see any unusualy long bouncing after rocking the car. But when i put my weight on one side than the other there is a difference between the passanger's and driver's side in how much the body moves.

[Tom W]

Might have cracked a spring, though that's just a guess based on what you're saying. YOu really need to look underneath, or have somebody with some mechanical experience do so.

How does it sit parked? One side lower, or about level from left to right?

[JAZZ D.P.G.]

Its a stock 1997 and it happends on small things like the small bumps between pavements like a driveway. and i didn't see any unusualy long bouncing after rocking the car. But when i put my weight on one side than the other there is a difference between the passanger's and driver's side in how much the body moves.

Shock is a good guess on this one, but I would also check the springs and other suspension parts for loose.
Check the shocks for oil on the lower arms and joints, or if any drippings on the parking spot.

I drive a Jeep Rubicon. have not had a issue yet as it is a 05.

Good Luck

[instafood]

Thanks guys it turns out yall were right, that shock is a gonner. now if i could pick yer brains for one last question.
Do any of you know if this is this a good replacement for the rear?

http://www.jcwhitney.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/ProductBrowse?storeId=10101&Pr=p_Product.CATENTRY_ID%3A2006163&productId=2006163&tf=Browse&N=111%2B200004043%2B1997%2B600012536&catalogId=10108

Purelithium and Jim if you ever come down to Washington this is a nice trail thats almost a good 50 miles long up and back with fun off shoots.

[Tsmith]

I sure miss my days of 4 wheeling. Had a '78 GMC short bed with 6" skyjacker lift kit and 15x38.5x15 mudders. That was a lot of fun. The current Jeep Liberty 2WD won't hang off road.

[stathunter]

Thanks guys it turns out yall were right, that shock is a gonner. now if i could pick yer brains for one last question.
Do any of you know if this is this a good replacement for the rear?

http://www.jcwhitney.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/ProductBrowse?storeId=10101&Pr=p_Product.CATENTRY_ID%3A2006163&productId=2006163&tf=Browse&N=111%2B200004043%2B1997%2B600012536&catalogId=10108

Purelithium and Jim if you ever come down to Washington this is a nice trail thats almost a good 50 miles long up and back with fun off shoots.

I am not a rough country fan. I would suggest something like OME. Old Man Emu shocks or something with a little longer lifespan than the rough country.
I recently built up my 04 wrangler to a monster. www.je-ep.com (http://www.je-ep.com)

http://i59.photobucket.com/albums/g303/stathunter/P1000519.jpg

[Miyagi-san]

old man emu makes really good stuff!

for a really informative forum on jeeps, check out www.jeepsunlimited.com :)

[JAZZ D.P.G.]

Thanks guys it turns out yall were right, that shock is a gonner.
Purelithium and Jim if you ever come down to Washington this is a nice trail thats almost a good 50 miles long up and back with fun off shoots.

Other side of the continent from me, but looks fantastic!! I've driven through the area several times and love the scenery!!

I'm still running stock set up on my Rubicon. Basically buying it now to play with when I retire in a few years. Still running in fun places, but not as seriously as this vehicle will do.

Check out the rest of the suspension while your under there.

Oh, my other off-roader is a Chevy Silverado Z-71 extended.

[Tom W]

I am not a rough country fan. I would suggest something like OME. Old Man Emu shocks or something with a little longer lifespan than the rough country.
I recently built up my 04 wrangler to a monster. www.je-ep.com (http://www.je-ep.com)

http://i59.photobucket.com/albums/g303/stathunter/P1000519.jpg

I had OME rear springs and shocks all around on my 99 Explorer. The setup along with a bit of tortion bar adjustment gave me about 1.5-2 inches, just enough to fit some 32" BFGoodrich AT's under there without problems (1.5 was about the max that I would go without a genuine lift kit up front). The OME setup was great - it rode firm, but not harsh, and it handled well considering what it was.

Off road, the Explorer performed well, though I wouldn't have considered taking it on the rubicon without some serious modifications. I gave it a respectable workout in Moab, UT (No, I didn't take it up Lion's back...) on some moderately rough trails. It was a great deal of fun and I miss that vehicle.

PS - you Jeep looks great, Scott.

[Tom W]

Thanks guys it turns out yall were right, that shock is a gonner.


Glad to see that you've found the culprit - As for a replacement set, the Old Man Emu products are good, though there are lots of others that are decent. Depends on what you want to do with the Jeep.

[instafood]

I am not a rough country fan. I would suggest something like OME. Old Man Emu shocks or something with a little longer lifespan than the rough country.
I recently built up my 04 wrangler to a monster. www.je-ep.com (http://www.je-ep.com)

http://i59.photobucket.com/albums/g303/stathunter/P1000519.jpg
very, very nice. that looks like one fun ride.

[Miyagi-san]

for you WA wheelers, ask around about the lake isabelle trail at reiter pit (off hwy 2...monroe-ish)

by far my favorite trail! :)

[instafood]

ya ive seen pictures of it but I dont think a stock jeep would be able it. But ya that looks like a great trail.

[Miyagi-san]

ya ive seen pictures of it but I dont think a stock jeep would be able it. But ya that looks like a great trail.

the cool thing about it is it gets tougher and tougher in perfect stages, so a stock vehicle can (depending on the height of the river at the beginning!/time of year!) usually get to "rope rocks" without a permanent stuck :p

"rope rocks" separates the boys from the men....you will know it when you see it, the trail just turns into a LONG even climb of large boulders nicely clumped together. .....the name comes from all the leftover rope laying around from people trying to tug each other up the rocks.

but you can wheel on the trail for about 2 hours before you get there, it's still a great trail up to that point :)

happy wheelin'! :D

[stathunter]

You guys want to make me go out and do some trail riding now! :D

[instafood]

the cool thing about it is it gets tougher and tougher in perfect stages, so a stock vehicle can (depending on the height of the river at the beginning!/time of year!) usually get to "rope rocks" without a permanent stuck :p

"rope rocks" separates the boys from the men....you will know it when you see it, the trail just turns into a LONG even climb of large boulders nicely clumped together. .....the name comes from all the leftover rope laying around from people trying to tug each other up the rocks.

but you can wheel on the trail for about 2 hours before you get there, it's still a great trail up to that point :)

happy wheelin'! :D

Awsome, thanks for the info. I might just have to try that once I get the new shocks in place.