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Bump steer rattle

1K views 20 replies 8 participants last post by  kjeeper10 
#1 ·
Hey all,

Just picked up my new Jeep! 2012 Wrangler Sport. Been loving it!

Noticed, though, that I'm getting quite a bit of rattling (sound and vibration) from the undercarriage when I hit a bump, and get a bump-steer. I am pretty sure it's not death wobble, because it isn't persistent.

Any thoughts? I know these are loud beasts, but do I have reason to be concerned because of the area, or when it's occurring?
 
#2 ·
I'm assuming it must have a lift, a stock 2012 should not have bump steer, and the only part that could possibly be shot are the stock ball joints. Well I guess I can't make that blanket statement. If you can, get the front up on jack stands and see if there's any loose bolts and or worn parts. See if there's any play in the ball joints, track bar, tie rod ends ect. ect.
 
#5 ·
Thanks for getting back to me, guys.

No mods, stock 2012 Sport.

@kjeeper10: It is in the steering wheel, it slips from my hand. And the jeep jumps around quite a bit on the bumps. Rattling is mostly heard in the undercarriage, but minimal vibration felt.

I'll try to crawl under there today and reference this: Diagnosing Death Wobble and Fixing Non-DW Shimmies and Wobbles - JeepForum.com

I don't have access to jacks, sadly.
 
#6 ·
best bet might be to get under your jeep and check the torque on a few things.
1. trackbar
2. front control arms
3. drag link & pitman arm

your sway bar links may have worked themselves loose. question is the rattle you're hearing like a heat shield rattle, or something smacking into something else?
 
#7 ·
Agree ^ something would have to be really loose.
The true definition of bumpsteer is not possible stock. Yes .. There will always be feedback in the steering wheel w/ a straight axle. The steering damper helps with this.
I've seen the stock damper fail and owner complain of more feedback in the wheel. Check around the shock for leaks. Then make sure your front track bar bolts are torqued to 125. Next lower CA's @ 125
Finally uppers CA's @ 75
Ball joints and TRe's.. I doubt they're worn with low miles. Possible I guess .. Do you wheel ?
 
#12 ·
If you do find some loose bolts, remove them and lift or drop the part so you can inspect the holes...it's possible they may have wallowed out. This may be a good idea to check on the sway bar mounts even if it seems the bolts are tight. You may also see the rub marks where it's been moving.
 
#13 ·
If you do find some loose bolts, remove them and lift or drop the part so you can inspect the holes...it's possible they may have wallowed out. This may be a good idea to check on the sway bar mounts even if it seems the bolts are tight. You may also see the rub marks where it's been moving.
good point. :thumb:
 
#14 ·
All,

Without being able to get it lifted, there wasn't a whole lot I could check.

That said, nothing seemed to have too much flex. The nuts I could reach were at the right torque. No wallowing visible. Didn't see any obvious signs of suspension leakage (i.e. no drips or run marks).

The mud guard just behind the front bumper has some play in it. I don't know that it would account for all of the noise, but it probably is a portion of it. At some point in the near future, I'll try to get it to a friend's shop and get it on the lift. Meantime, I think I am probably ok.

Thanks for the tips, and I'll let you know if anything funky comes up at the later inspection.
 
#15 ·
All,


Meantime, I think I am probably ok.
NO, Your not ok....continued driving will only make the problem worse and cost you more money.

You have a serious issue here, you need to remove the the track bar bolts at the frame and axel and inspect the holes to see if they are oval shaped or round.

How did you check the torque of the bolts?

If you bought this from a dealer I would return it and let them fix it.....hopefully they know what they are doing.

You also need to check the control arms.
 
#17 ·
Hey Gorilla,

Ok, thanks for the reality check. I have to bring it back to the dealer next week to pick up my plates, I'll have them take a look at it then. Don't suspect I'll have an opportunity to drive it between now and then anyway.

Thanks again.
 
#19 ·
That's what I was going to recommend. Right after I got mine last year, just hitting the gutter at the end of my drive way would get a little click and pop out of the suspension. If you rock the Jeep back and forth and it pops, tighten your sway bar links. The top bolt on my stock ones got loose fairly often from offroading, then I discovered disconnecting the sway bar. Now they are never loose and the offroad ride is way nicer. :)
 
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