clunking after LCA install

[captainN8]

Wanted to get some thoughts on what might be clunking after installing my LCAs. They are the tubular type with poly bushings. Seems to me like it could be the driveshaft, any thoughts?

 

[JeremyH]

If the bolts aren't torqued all the way down they will vibe loose and make a clunking sound.

 

[captainN8]

i will check them, but they were all torqued to 129 ft lbs with new bolts.

 

[sixshooter798]

Did you grease the bushings?

 

[white05gt]

Did you have the suspension loaded when you tightened the bolts? If not, go loosen the bolts up and retighten with the wheels on the ground or on jackstands and let us know if that helps.

 

[captainN8]

i greased them like a mofo! i have heard of it making noises so that's why i did. i was going to see if you guys think that may be normal, then i'm not going to worry too much about it. i will add grease fittings later to them also. it may just be that they are new, i haven't driven on them much yet, but you can feel that the rear is much more stiff.

 

[captainN8]

Did you have the suspension loaded when you tightened the bolts? If not, go loosen the bolts up and retighten with the wheels on the ground or on jackstands and let us know if that helps.

yes, had jackstands under the rear axle tubes.

 

[bigwilly43729]

yes, had jackstands under the rear axle tubes.

I ended up driving the car up on ramps, jacking the pumpkin a tad, then placing the jackstands under the tubes. It kept the suspension at ride height the entire time. When I just jacked one side of the car up at a time and did it, it didn't load it the same. I don't really know why, but when I did it the other way (with the ramps), the clunking went away.

Take a marker or a piece of tape and put it where the plastic top of the shock ends when the car is on the ground. That's where it should be when you torque it down.

 

[JeremyH]

Did you have the suspension loaded when you tightened the bolts? If not, go loosen the bolts up and retighten with the wheels on the ground or on jackstands and let us know if that helps.

+1. I use ramps as well when removing/greasing lca's

 

[captainN8]

thanks for the input, i may try that.

 

[NastyStang113]

On the right sides?

 

[Bingo]

Did you have the suspension loaded when you tightened the bolts? If not, go loosen the bolts up and retighten with the wheels on the ground or on jackstands and let us know if that helps.

This is what caused my clunking originally...

 

[confuzed]

Wanted to get some thoughts on what might be clunking after installing my LCAs. They are the tubular type with poly bushings. Seems to me like it could be the driveshaft, any thoughts?

what brand? i just installed BMR lowers and relocation brkts on my 2010. i got the poly on one end and sperical on the other. torqued em down with suspension loaded and mines nice and quiet. i was actually expecting a lil 'clunkiness', but im very happy how mine turned out. just gotta do the upper with mount here soon.

 

[captainN8]

Yes, they are on the correct sides. I checked and double checked that, cuz the instructions they came with were not very good. They are J&M.

 

[captainN8]

I am just glad to see that this is probably "normal", that was really my only concern. I will check the torque on everything as well. Thanks for the input guys. This is my first Ford, Mustang, and 3 link rear, which i am not familiar with. All i ever owned was leaf spring Chevy trucks........

 

[jroc07gt]

mine make no noise except for make it easier to hear gear whine

 

[Ken04]

Yes, they are on the correct sides. I checked and double checked that, cuz the instructions they came with were not very good. They are J&M.

FYI I have the J&M's also, haven't installed them yet, hopefully this weekend. When mine arrived they had no zerk fittings. I asked about that and the company replied that they don't install zerk fittings anymore to stop owners from using the wrong grease and destroying the bushings, FYI. I see you said you were going to install zerk fittings. I would suggest finding the appropriate grease if you do so.

 

[johnny06gt]

just drive it---i have adj uca with a spherical endlinks---was loud as hell when i put it in--drove it about a week to break it in--and it went away for the most part

 

[NastyStang113]

I am just glad to see that this is probably "normal", that was really my only concern. I will check the torque on everything as well. Thanks for the input guys. This is my first Ford, Mustang, and 3 link rear, which i am not familiar with. All i ever owned was leaf spring Chevy trucks........

It's not normal. Mine makes no noise.

 

[captainN8]

Since for some reason i can't use the quote button........ I used the grease that came with mine from J&M it was like friggin glue, nasty stuff.

Yea i figure they will break in and probably not make any noise, thanks for all of the replies, but like i said i will check my work again anyways.