Popping and creaking after RE LA install

TheSandman · Nov 25, 2009

So after installing my RE 7.5" LA kit, I'm beginning to develop a popping and creaking under my feet. Its been happening after about a week of driving.

The only thing I didn't do in the instructions was what they call "skip" welding along the long arm mounts. I also didn't install the outer plates that bolt from long arm mount to the body pinch weld. Would not doing either of these cause my problems?

Any advice/help would be appreciated

thanks

wes_xj · Nov 25, 2009

may want to start by just tightening everything up again and see if that helps

vincepru · Nov 26, 2009

why wouldnt you mount the outer plates? they are obviously there for a reason. (structural integrity?)

i was missing a bolt for the belly pan and have been freaking out about that, couldnt imagine not running all of that hardware.

how do your joints look? are your springs seated correctly? also what tie rod are you running? the bolts that tighten my tie rod (hd zj) hit my sway bar bracket when i turn the wheel. that could be it.

RoyalXJ · Nov 26, 2009

install them properly then come back if you still have a problem

northwestxj · Nov 26, 2009

TheSandman said:
I also didn't install the outer plates that bolt from long arm mount to the body pinch weld.

I've seen that kit in person, a buddy has it. The way it's designed you definitely need to install the plates that tie into the pinch seam.

TheSandman · Nov 26, 2009

I didn't put the outer plates on because I have rock sliders that are tight against the pinch seam.

Plus most long arm systems don't use outer plates with their mounting systems. I mean I know that every kit is different, but generally speaking, the long arm crossmember and mounting setup is essentially the same. I'll check everything this weekned for security.

Also, I am running the ZJ setup and ended up having to put the sway bar lower mount on the outside to clear the steering, springs are seated correctly, joints look good. I'm going to grease them again this weekend to see if that helps also.

Original_MudButt · Nov 26, 2009

TheSandman said:
Plus most long arm systems don't use outer plates with their mounting systems.

My BDS kit has outer plates.

After installing it, I got creaks and groans for about 2 weeks.

I went back and retorqued and regreased everything and it all went away.

Like what was said above...... Follow the directions.

POLAR_JEEP_04 · Nov 26, 2009

grease the crap out of the flex joints!

TheSandman · Nov 26, 2009

Original_MudButt said:
My BDS kit has outer plates.

After installing it, I got creaks and groans for about 2 weeks.

I went back and retorqued and regreased everything and it all went away.

Like what was said above...... Follow the directions.

I've checked out rusty's, T&T, iron rock, and clayton's and none of them use the outer plates. I guess I should call RE and see what they say about it. Only problem is my sliders are welded on, so I don't think I can get the outer plates on at all.

ECKSJAY · Nov 26, 2009

TheSandman said:
I've checked out rusty's, T&T, iron rock, and clayton's and none of them use the outer plates. I guess I should call RE and see what they say about it. Only problem is my sliders are welded on, so I don't think I can get the outer plates on at all.

So cut the ends of the outer plates and weld them to your sliders. That's what we do in the shop and haven't had any issues. You'll need those plates on or you'll need to reinforce your unibody to keep it from twisting.

POLAR_JEEP_04 · Nov 26, 2009

TheSandman said:
I've checked out rusty's, T&T, iron rock, and clayton's and none of them use the outer plates. I guess I should call RE and see what they say about it. Only problem is my sliders are welded on, so I don't think I can get the outer plates on at all.

um I know for sure TNT does

ECKSJAY · Nov 26, 2009

POLAR_JEEP_04 said:
um I know for sure TNT does

He's not talking about strips, he's talking about the ones that go to the pinch seam.

TheSandman · Nov 26, 2009

ECKSJAY said:
So cut the ends of the outer plates and weld them to your sliders. That's what we do in the shop and haven't had any issues. You'll need those plates on or you'll need to reinforce your unibody to keep it from twisting.

Hmmm. I guess I could do that. It just doesn't seem like those plates would do much for frame stiffening just from bolting to the body pinch seam.

ECKSJAY said:
He's not talking about strips, he's talking about the ones that go to the pinch seam.

Correct

POLAR_JEEP_04 · Nov 26, 2009

Ahh ok my bad

ECKSJAY · Nov 27, 2009

TheSandman said:
Hmmm. I guess I could do that. It just doesn't seem like those plates would do much for frame stiffening just from bolting to the body pinch seam.

It's load distribution. The same can be done by attaching angle iron along the length of the unibody. You just need to stiffen the thing up to keep the spreading to a minimum. Think of it this way anyhow: If you weld it to the sliders, it'll be that much stronger...distributing the load across the sliders.

TheSandman · Nov 27, 2009

ECKSJAY said:
It's load distribution. The same can be done by attaching angle iron along the length of the unibody. You just need to stiffen the thing up to keep the spreading to a minimum. Think of it this way anyhow: If you weld it to the sliders, it'll be that much stronger...distributing the load across the sliders.

Makes sense, guess I have some work to do

ECKSJAY · Nov 27, 2009

That's the spirit.

Not everything is gonna bolt on. Welders solve all kinds of problems.

Muddy Beast · Nov 27, 2009

TheSandman said:
I've checked out rusty's, T&T, iron rock, and clayton's and none of them use the outer plates. I guess I should call RE and see what they say about it. Only problem is my sliders are welded on, so I don't think I can get the outer plates on at all.

One thing to note...Claytons also requires you to weld the mounts to the frame. So of course they don't have the outer plate, they don't need them if they're welded.

~Scott

TheSandman · Nov 27, 2009

ECKSJAY said:
That's the spirit. Not everything is gonna bolt on. Welders solve all kinds of problems.

Guess I should just weld them at the bottom of the slider huh?

Muddy Beast said:
One thing to note...Claytons also requires you to weld the mounts to the frame. So of course they don't have the outer plate, they don't need them if they're welded.

~Scott

If I decide not to bolt the outer plates up, I will probably weld the mounts. Although in the instructions, it tells you to "skip" weld, which I guess means small beads around the whole mount.

ECKSJAY · Nov 27, 2009

TheSandman said:
Guess I should just weld them at the bottom of the slider huh?

That's what I would do.

If I decide not to bolt the outer plates up, I will probably weld the mounts. Although in the instructions, it tells you to "skip" weld, which I guess means small beads around the whole mount.

Yeah you need to weld the mounts, too.

Popping and creaking after RE LA install

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