Offroad Trailblazers and Envoys

Front suspension popping

Something not working right?

by c bausch » Fri Dec 14, 2012 12:24 am

Hey everyone i have a popping doubd/ feeling that is coming from my front end. First lets start off with i had a shop replace my struts and mounts in june this year. I replaced my sway bar mounts and links greased them up. When i replaced the sway bar mounts i globbed grease on the bar then inner and outer side of the mounts, would the swaybar have up and down play to be
Making this noise?

I experience a popping sound when i got over a larger bump , sounds like its on the down stroke when im out of the bump, im also lifted 3" body 3" suspension and everything it tight that i can think of checking. The suspension seems stiff and its been like this for a few months now , any ideas?
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by 06MidnightBlue » Fri Dec 14, 2012 12:51 am

The shock is likely topping out with the 3 inch lift. If you've upgraded to stiffer springs that's really gonna kill them
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by c bausch » Fri Dec 14, 2012 8:32 am

The top of the strut mount if popping out? So what would be the fix
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by bore_pig » Fri Dec 14, 2012 10:59 am

Sounds like your front strut may be reaching full extension and topping out. This would cause a loud clunk and it wrecks your shocks in a hurry.
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by 06MidnightBlue » Fri Dec 14, 2012 12:27 pm

c bausch wrote:The top of the strut mount if popping out? So what would be the fix


Not the strut mount, the strut piston itself. The strut pistons have a certain amount of excursion. When we lift our rigs past a certain point, you run the risk of topping out. 3 inches of lift, combined with stiffer springs are usually that point; unless you have am aftermarket bumper and a lot of weight in the front end.
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by The Roadie » Fri Dec 14, 2012 12:48 pm

Topping out with exceedingly stiffer springs than 89's is what killed my prototype Icons. Without a built-in bump stop for extension we will probably start needing limiting straps in the front for safety.
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by c bausch » Fri Dec 14, 2012 1:28 pm

So whats my options here besides replacing the struts every few months? Take out the body lift?
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by dvanbramer88 » Fri Dec 14, 2012 2:25 pm

c bausch wrote:So whats my options here besides replacing the struts every few months? Take out the body lift?


Body lift has nothing to do with it.

It's the 3inch suspension lift combined with the stiff springs.

Options:

-get softer rate springs

-Add weight to the front in the form of skids, bumpers, winch

-switch to a 2.5 inch kit in the front.

-If you had Marks 2.5 inch kit with the top spacer, removing the top spacer would help, But it looks like you have the new 3 inch kit.
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by Moots1288 » Fri Dec 14, 2012 2:33 pm

2.5 with 89s is just as bad.. You need a bumper, because the skids do not add enough weight to those springs. I top out constantly with 2.5 marks lift a d 89s.
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by Moots1288 » Fri Dec 14, 2012 2:34 pm

I'd say a front bumper or get softer springs...
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by dvanbramer88 » Fri Dec 14, 2012 2:35 pm

Moots1288 wrote:2.5 with 89s is just as bad.. You need a bumper, because the skids do not add enough weight to those springs. I top out constantly with 2.5 marks lift a d 89s.


I didn't know you had the 2.5. If you're that bad, I can only imagine how horrible it is with the 3in.

And did you ever try taking your top spacer out to see if it gets better?
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by Moots1288 » Fri Dec 14, 2012 2:39 pm

Nope but I replaced my top assembly and it still squeaks as all hell.. I think I need to try putting rubber gaskets above and or below the top spacer and see if that helps. But for topping out I just need a bumper hopefully... Jason was saying with the 3in the bumper made a huge difference.
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by dvanbramer88 » Fri Dec 14, 2012 2:41 pm

So when are you, or I should say, when is Jason building you a bumper?
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by c bausch » Fri Dec 14, 2012 5:10 pm

I have the 2.5 suspension lift kit (sorry my mistake ) as far as springs i bought them from a trailvoy member and dont know what number they are

How can i tell if the struts were the issue? Its there any visible damage?
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by c bausch » Fri Dec 14, 2012 5:13 pm

Would the stock spring be a good replacement?
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by Moots1288 » Fri Dec 14, 2012 5:57 pm

Moog is good.. Read up on em.. And Dave Jason is not building me a bumper :finger:
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by Moots1288 » Fri Dec 14, 2012 5:58 pm

Mine has visible damage but also had visible wear marks on the spacers
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by c bausch » Fri Dec 14, 2012 10:54 pm

So do you think the moog springs will solve the problem ? Whats the stock number of the sprongs 88's then the stiffer 89's?
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by c bausch » Fri Dec 14, 2012 10:55 pm

Springs**
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by c bausch » Sat Dec 15, 2012 3:40 pm

Update: i looked over my suspension everything seemed fine , nothing loose but i did notice and maybe this is making the noise . when we were shaking the truck around (hes shaking in looking) i notice my ball joints were banging because of the angle of the uca and the ball joint so whats the fix ? ... Flip uca's replace ball joints ? Do you think that was the popping sound or so you think its both the uca's and the springs? What do you think?
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