Front suspension knock

[KC87Wagoneer]

So every time I turn over 10 mph I get a pretty loud knock. 1987 GW everything is still stock.

I was underneath it last weekend and did not see anything unusual. Nothing is hitting anything or loose. I got my Wagon this spring and have not touched the suspension yet. Shocks are first on my list but will probably replace the u joints and bearings too. I would like to fix this knock at the same time. It sounds like it is coming from the drivers side. Was thinking tie rod. Is this common or is is this something I will have to hunt down?

[AwesomeJ10]

Is it something silly such as rock caught in the brakes?

[Stuka]

Look at the rear spring bushing on the front springs. Look to see if there is small gaps on each side of the bushing and the mount. When turning it can slide back and forth and makes a knock sound.


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[serehill]

Look at the rear spring bushing on the front springs. Look to see if there is small gaps on each side of the bushing and the mount. When turning it can slide back and forth and makes a knock sound.


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That's where mine was.

[KC87Wagoneer]

Stuka wrote:
Look at the rear spring bushing on the front springs. Look to see if there is small gaps on each side of the bushing and the mount. When turning it can slide back and forth and makes a knock sound.


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I will look at this, Ill let you know what I find.

[KC87Wagoneer]

Ok, so I don't see a gap on the rear bushing of the front springs on either side. They are cracking and kind of swelling but do not appear to have any gap or marks at the leaf or bracket. They could use replacing but I'm not convinced it is the source of the knock.

The bushings at the sway bar are totally shot. Again, no visible evidence of metal touching metal but need replacing.

[COLORADOCRAWLER]

Check for loose track bar hardware or evidence that it has been sliding back and forth on the upper bracket. I have seen worn ball joints make a knocking sound when turning but they will usually do it when driving slowly (parking lots and such). You can jack the front end up and get a pry bar between the knuckle and outer "C" on the axle tube, then pry it outward and see if there is any play in the ball joints. Worn tie-rod ends/drag link ends can cause noise when steering lock to lock, but will do this while stationary as well. Definitely take a look at your spring hangers to ensure that you don't have one trying to depart the frame, look for frame cracks around them as well.

Come to think of it...my rig was doing this as well last time I drove it (9 months ago) and I trouble shot it to spring bushings as well. Seems like it was only when I made left turns at lower speeds.

[Stuka]

Ahh yeah, grand wags have trac bars. Could be a likely culprit.


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[carnuck]

+ another on the crackbar, errr tracbar

[pipefactory]

So every time I turn over 10 mph I get a pretty loud knock. 1987 GW everything is still stock.

I was underneath it last weekend and did not see anything unusual. Nothing is hitting anything or loose. I got my Wagon this spring and have not touched the suspension yet. Shocks are first on my list but will probably replace the u joints and bearings too. I would like to fix this knock at the same time. It sounds like it is coming from the drivers side. Was thinking tie rod. Is this common or is is this something I will have to hunt down?

My 89 was doing the same thing before lift and track bar delete. It was the bolt that holds the track bar to the diff. It has a slot in the bracket and was going back and forth in the slot, tightened the bolt and was gone.

[KC87Wagoneer]

Got it. It was the bolt that holds the trac bar to the frame. Thanks for the help!!!

[Stuka]

Glad you found it!