Jeep JK tie rod clank

[Jeepin721]

Has anyone out there experienced a loud clanking noise from a JK Steering tie rod? Whenever I am off road, on bumpy terrain, I hear a loud clank whenever my front left wheel drops off of a rock. This happens more traveling downhill but does occur sometimes on the up. It is not a consistent noise, so I don't think it is a u-joint. When I grab the tie rod with my hand I can rotate it back and forth very easy. At the end of each rotation, there is an audible clunk as the ball joint maxes out. I took it to the dealer and they told me that jeeps just make noises like that. I have owned three jeeps and have never heard this noise.


Any ideas?

 

[Rottenbelly]

My springs clank while drooping out and compressing. The tie rod is suppose to rotate up and down some.
I would have someone turn the wheel back and forth slightly while you feel for play at the tie rod ends.
The sway bar on mine also clanks around if it still connected.

Also check lower control arms. The bolt holes can oval out on the stock mounts and cause a clank.

 

[BCGPER]

Normal wear on the tie rod. It's rotating under load that causes the noise. You can replace parts to eliminate the noise, but. It's really not hurting anything.

 

[TRD270]

Just something else you might check to see if its making the noise. I had a clanking on my JK that was driving me mad, I thought it was something in the steering as well. Turns out one of my shocks was loose and every time the suspension cycled it was clanking.

 

[mesha]

With the jeep off

Lay on the ground under the jeep and have someone turn the tires back and forth. Look and touch each joint as it turns. You will be able to find the problem. Make sure to check the pitman arm.

If you want to stop by I will help you out. It seems like all I do lately is replace clunky JK steering

Stock jk steering parts don't last that long. If the ends are bad I would use it as an opportunity to upgrade.