Hi all - just looking for a little pointing in the right direction. With some rubbing/friction noise after the leveling kit install.

First off I've searched around and haven't found much in the way of what it could be. My suspension is its the new sway bar that w/ the grease fitting.

Long story short I installed the kit before going on a 2k road trip. About 500 miles into the trip and after a some dirt road adventures (not wheeling) I started to hear, infrequently, a rubbing/friction noise from the drivers side when the front end is compressed (like going over a speed bump or hitting a dip). I assumed it was the sway bar with the grease fitting so I greased it up.

However the sound still happens on occasion (not every compression), and I am a little worried that it could be something else (maybe metal on metal).

I should also note that I installed the original boots (or whatever they are called) with the teraflex ones and those look a little worse for wear. It looks like the plastic may be failing and they are bowed or compressed outward. I have also suspected this could be the source of the noise.

If anyone else has experienced this or has any ideas that would be great.

Items of note: this does not happen during full lock, not a tire rub; I have checked and there are no loose bolts on the sway bar or track bar (i also had a shop double check all the bolt torques after I completed the install). I've eyeballed around and don't see any metal on metal rubbing... But have not ruled that out.

 

Have you disconnected the sway bar and cycled it by hand? Factory Rubicon sway bars are known to hit the frame's cross tube. Depending on the sway bar width, it could as well.

 

Hi - thanks for the response. To answer your question, No, total noob here so can you elaborate what I do to cycle it by hand?

Thanks - Tom

 

My sway bar will hit the cross tube under compression. That reminds me to get out the grinder.

 

Disconnect the sway bar links at the axle. Rotate the bar up and down and see if you can hear the sound or see where it may be contacting.

RK

 

Did you grease the fittings for the links?

 

Thanks RK I will check that tonight.

And yes I have greased the fittings a few times now, as that is where I initially suspected the noise to be coming from.

 

I didn't have a rubbing sound but I noticed plastic on ground under jeep and further inspection the driver side front spacer was crumbling into pieces on driveway. Contacted Teraflex and told them what happened and they are sending 2 new spacers that same day . Great customer service. You may check that out . Also I did not install original thin spacer because jeep was nose high.

 

Just a little update here, I greased it up again before taking off the sway bar and rotating (mainly as I didn't see any metal on metal rubbing) and the noise seems to subside.

All of this is odd as I just greased it two weeks ago, I am hoping this is not a every two week thing and just a fluke.

On that note, for folks that have sway bars that need grease, how often do you do it? I am thinking it should be with every oil change / tire rotation?

Thanks for all the replies!

Tom