Teraflex + Eibach install - Clicking sound

Discussion in 'Renegade Modified Tech' started by NickRenny, Oct 6, 2021.

  1. NickRenny

    NickRenny New Member

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    Apologies for double posting but I didn't realize I initially posted this in the "general" chat, figured this one would be more applicable. I'm new here and have been browsing the forums to see what sorts of information I could gather. I have a '17 trailhawk and just had the Teraflex 1.5 lift and Eibach lifting springs installed, with 245/65r17s using a 1 inch spacer. The dealer who performed the install was wary of overextending the CVs with the addition of the Eibachs. There were no issues with the install and everything went well with the alignment, however, I hear a faint ticking noise when applying the gas (it sounds like it is only coming from the front passenger side but as I can only hear it when driving, I can't be certain of that) and it increases in speed as the vehicle does. There is no clunking or popping, and nothing occurs when turning, this only occurs during acceleration. Is this a CV issue or something else? I'm wondering if removing the Eibachs would alleviate this issue (if it is the CV) or if I might be better suited to get a 2nd opinion from somewhere else. Thank you in advance.
     
  2. IDoMy0wnRacing

    IDoMy0wnRacing Well-Known Member

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    It really sounds like a cv joint issue.

    It is possible to hurt the cv joint when install the lift kit by pulling the cv bearings out of the cv socket.
    Sometimes this can be remedied by insuring that the bearing are fully seated in their sockets.

    If it is an Outer CV Joint, the noise will change when making a turn while rolling.
    My example would be: with the windows rolled down so that you can better hear the noise, slowly accelerate down the street in a weaving motion, hard left, hard right, back and forth while driving slowly. The noise will be more noticeable when turning one way or another.

    Inner CV Joint will make noise under acceleration (occasionally on deceleration) with no change when turning the steering wheel.
     
  3. NickRenny

    NickRenny New Member

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    Thank you, I have a plan to mount a GoPro underneath while driving to get a better idea where the sound is actually coming from. Assuming this is a CV related issue, I'm wondering if a replacement will remedy the problem. I've seen others put this exact combination of lifts on or even more extensive lifts without these issues. So I have to wonder if this is something the lifts can be left in place or if I'll need to downsize to keep it from reoccurring.
     
  4. IDoMy0wnRacing

    IDoMy0wnRacing Well-Known Member

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    W E L C O M E ! ! !
    ... to the forum.

    I ran with a 4-inch lift without any issues.

    My Renegade was heavy and I turboed my 2.4. I was hard on the drivetrain, and the half-shafts held up.

    The right front is a little harder to do the lift kit on, and pulling the half-shaft apart isn't to do. Or making sure that the joint is fully seated after getting put back in the spindle could have been overlooked.

    You should be able to grab the shaft between the inner and outer cv joints and slide the shaft back and forth, There should be room for the shaft to move UNLESS it is bound or not seated completely.
     
  5. NickRenny

    NickRenny New Member

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    I grabbed hold of it earlier today as noted in a video I found "grab it and yank like you've been single for a year." I couldn't get any movement out of it whatsoever. Upon further inspection, the passenger front CV has zero movement. The driver side has a slight bit of back and forth movement.
     
    Last edited: Oct 7, 2021
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  6. NickRenny

    NickRenny New Member

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    Just heard back from the dealer who completed the install. They state everything is properly in place regarding the CV. They stated that my lift combination ended with 3 inches of lift and that it can only handle 2 inches at most. They stand by the statement of the CV being overextended, but could not offer any explanation as to why only one side is making the noise or why it has no play while the other 3 do.
     
  7. zuke

    zuke Active Member

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    The inner 'tripod' CV Joint can hang up on the edge of the cup when it gets close to maximum angle if it's pushed too deep in the cup.

    If you look at the animation below, you see the three spots where the shaft is closest to edge of the cup? It's possible on the Renny to insert the tripod so deeply into the cup that the shaft hits those spots at lifted angles.

    [​IMG]

    To check it, jack up that wheel and support the Renny under the lower A Arm/Strut. Chock a rear wheel, and put the Renny in neutral, you want to be able to spin the wheel, but you need the front suspension to have normal weight on it.

    When you've done that, spin the front wheel by grabbing the axle shaft, you should be able to feel a 'hitch' as the shaft hits the cup while rotating if this is the problem. You also should be able to move the shaft in and out like the others, but you have to be in the spots of the cup that have more clearance.

    If you feel a 'hitch' Check to make sure that the outer stub shaft is fully seated into the knuckle, something may have gotten in there during the lift install, or the splines in the bearing may have gotten marred and it can't fully seat into position. Look at the exposed threads on the axle nut, and see if there is a difference in their depth versus the driver's side.

    If all the above checks out fine, and you can't locate the source of the click while doing the above, I'd actually not worry about it myself (Or look at totally unrelated possibilities for the noise source).

    If the source of the click Is in the passenger shaft and you locate it during the above, I'd just go ahead and buy a used shaft at a local junk yard and see if it eliminates the noise, there are lots of them available, and I was paying about $60 dollars a piece for them when I was wheeling a Trailhawk hard and destroying them :)
     
    Last edited: Oct 14, 2021
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  8. IDoMy0wnRacing

    IDoMy0wnRacing Well-Known Member

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    Awesome @zuke great explanation.
     
  9. IDoMy0wnRacing

    IDoMy0wnRacing Well-Known Member

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    I am calling BS on this one...

    I know for a fact that the Renegade can handle and works well with more than 2 inches when installed correctly.
     
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  10. NickRenny

    NickRenny New Member

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    Alright y'all, so I was referred to a friend's mechanic who offered to take a look and let me actually look at it with him. Test drove it, witnessed the sound and took it back to the shop to lift it up. He verified everything is installed properly, there appears to be no signs of CV overextension or damage in any aspect. His best guess was that as the renny had 30k miles on it prior to the lift install, the CV bearings had "worn" themselves a groove where they usually sit. And now that the lift has removed them from those naturally worn areas, they're likely just far enough out that they're making the noise as the shaft rotates. All in all, he stated that he sees no issues, no problems or potential dangers at this time. Obviously continue to monitor things as I drive for a while, but essentially "don't worry about it, go play."
     
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  11. zuke

    zuke Active Member

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    That's actually a very plausible explanation! Hang on to that mechanic's number.
     
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  12. NickRenny

    NickRenny New Member

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    He said to go have fun, so I took his advice. Thanks for your input as I tried to sort through this pain. I'll definitely be keeping that mechanic's number on hand. 20211028_124006 (002).jpg Inked20211028_123948 (002)_LI.jpg Inked20211028_123952 (002)_LI.jpg
     
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  13. IDoMy0wnRacing

    IDoMy0wnRacing Well-Known Member

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    Good advice. ;)
     

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