Drive train clunk - Page 14

JetTech · 12-20-2004, 04:08 AM

thanks bayou, I'm a mod over at clubtitan and that keeps me pretty busy these days. Not to mention everything else that life can throw at ya....

honeykeeper · 12-20-2004, 05:28 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by lroshau

How close is your u-bolt bracket from your tire?
Seems close to me 1/2 inch.
What do you think

I have a concern with the clearance also. I just bought rhe Super-Z-Cables for my Titan like I used on my T100. I haven' tried them yet but will soon as the snow accumulates here.....I may take the helper springs off in the winter as I'm not sure how close the cables will come to the helper bracket. Anyone here tried chains or cables yet with the helper springs on???

CHEIF · 12-22-2004, 09:41 PM

There is NO WAY I'd put anything on my tires with the clearance I have. I just put them on today (the helpers) and i'ts 1/2" at best, probably more like 3/8 or 1/4. I plan on taking as much as possible off with a handgrinder, I should be able to squeeze in there.

The tire clearance was an immedeate concern. Maybe it's nothing, but I don't know how much and what things move around back there.

Well I had no "clunk" ever (just turned over 1,000 miles) and I thought the handling was pretty good to start with. No wheel hop either. I installed these with the hopes off better traction on take-off.

Tonight wasn't a fair night for a good test run since all the roads were slightly damp with temps just low enough to give a little extra slip, but hey any excuse to go for a run

I didn't notice any more smoothness or change over bumps and I tried to take good mental notes before the install. Hitting corners any harder than usual wasn't a good idea so I have no feedback on that. When I did takeoff the only thing I noticed was that this was the first time I've ever had it go sideways without correcting itself. Like I said the roads weren't the best.

I'm all but 100 percent they are on right, I re-read this post before I started the install and ran back / forth between my screen and garage once or twice for the first side. It is a really nice easy install. I used extra flat washers on the U-Bolts, (lockwashers were kinda falling thru the slot)

I'm pretty sure the front brackets aren't going anywhere, with the U-bolts where they are and the flex on the springs/u-bolts, I think it makes sense to check on them once in awhile.

Tomorrow I should have a better chance to test these out. I hope I feel some kinda difference, but after tonight I wouldn't be too surprised. Maybe I'll be wrong.

Hate to be the only Nay-Sayer here but just sharing my experience. I am glad that so many of you Guys/Gals got simple relief from such an annoying problem. Hats off to Jettech. Simple fixes like these don't come around often enough.

Cheers

Cheif

*Titan_TX* · 12-25-2004, 11:25 AM

Well installed mine this morning. Had a little clearance issue with the bolt near the front of the truck. It wants to hit the frame. You guys need to check yours. Because when that leaf spring flexes, its going to make a mark on the frame. I used a hacksaw to cut a little bit off the end of the bolt for more clearance. After a short drive, I can tell in turns the back end stays planted better, but over bumps, etc I am not sure if there is a difference really yet. We will see.

37L1 · 12-26-2004, 01:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by CHEIF

There is NO WAY I'd put anything on my tires with the clearance I have. I just put them on today (the helpers) and i'ts 1/2" at best, probably more like 3/8 or 1/4. I plan on taking as much as possible off with a handgrinder, I should be able to squeeze in there.

The tire clearance was an immedeate concern. Maybe it's nothing, but I don't know how much and what things move around back there.

Well I had no "clunk" ever (just turned over 1,000 miles) and I thought the handling was pretty good to start with. No wheel hop either. I installed these with the hopes off better traction on take-off.

Tonight wasn't a fair night for a good test run since all the roads were slightly damp with temps just low enough to give a little extra slip, but hey any excuse to go for a run

I didn't notice any more smoothness or change over bumps and I tried to take good mental notes before the install. Hitting corners any harder than usual wasn't a good idea so I have no feedback on that. When I did takeoff the only thing I noticed was that this was the first time I've ever had it go sideways without correcting itself. Like I said the roads weren't the best.

I'm all but 100 percent they are on right, I re-read this post before I started the install and ran back / forth between my screen and garage once or twice for the first side. It is a really nice easy install. I used extra flat washers on the U-Bolts, (lockwashers were kinda falling thru the slot)

I'm pretty sure the front brackets aren't going anywhere, with the U-bolts where they are and the flex on the springs/u-bolts, I think it makes sense to check on them once in awhile.

Tomorrow I should have a better chance to test these out. I hope I feel some kinda difference, but after tonight I wouldn't be too surprised. Maybe I'll be wrong.

Hate to be the only Nay-Sayer here but just sharing my experience. I am glad that so many of you Guys/Gals got simple relief from such an annoying problem. Hats off to Jettech. Simple fixes like these don't come around often enough.

Cheers

Cheif

Cheif:

I measured mine and I have almost 1" clearance on the stock 265/70 R18 SR-A Wranglers. I also used the Dynachrome Leaf Spring Helpers. Could it be the tires or the brand of helpers? I have had mine on since about August and have had no issues with rubbing on the tire or frame.

I didn't have the drive train clunk either but found the improved traction and handling well worth it.

So when you did further testing, what did you find out?

CHEIF · 12-26-2004, 02:32 PM

Thanks 37L1,

Yea, I used the same helpers and Yes, With the offroad tires (285/70/17) a little width must be making a big difference.

I hate to go early here; whenever I road test it my mileage takes a dive, but It does takeoff quicker with less spin. So it was well worth it. Having a bit of trouble determining if the handling improved, it didn't get any worse

Going from the Dakota to the Titan has changed my driving habits. It's a lot bigger and I tend to take a lot more time at turns and intersections and parking lots. I get so relaxed and slow that I have to remind myself to pay attention. I don't have a good baseline for the handling dept.

Your Truck Looks Sharp with the Add-Ons. Nice Choices!!!

Cheif

honeykeeper · 12-26-2004, 02:36 PM

When I bought the Super Z Cables it was about to snow. I tried them on the off road 17" tire just to make sure they fit at NAPA....it was a tight fit on the tire..forgot to look at the Helper U-bolt bracket.....that could have been binding already. I will check it again..and most likely take the spring helpers off also for real offroad-snow runs in the Winter. I have the 17" off-road stock tires on my Titan. Just measured the tire clearance to the bracket it is exactly 1/2" on both tires. Gonna put the Z-cable on and measure..back in a minute.......

honeykeeper · 12-26-2004, 03:09 PM

Well as I thought....there is 0" clearance with the helper spring u-bolt bracket to the cable that binds the Z-cable links together. So in the morning the spring helpers come off.....will give my opinion of how my Titan feels without the spring helpers also. So with the off-road 17" wheels and Super-Z-Cables I cannot use the helper springs!!!
By the way....I have noticed a clunk from the front and sometimes the rear at slow takeoffs in the morning...could this be from the cold weather??? I know it is not axle-wrap with the helpers on????

CHEIF · 12-26-2004, 08:48 PM

I haven't had any clunks, and I've driven once or twice in the single digits, several times in the teens.

Too bad about the clearance, I bet those cables are 'da bomb'. Smoother than chains, less tire chewing, great traction.

I'm always leary about any kind of mod, I still try them, but so often they seem to interfere with something else or create other problems.

Cheif

honeykeeper · 12-28-2004, 07:00 AM

Spring Helpers are now off...the Z-cables fit perfect on my stock offroad tires....I did notice that to get the same effect as the helpers it looks like all you need to use is the u-bolt and bracket....looks to me like you can flip the u-bolt with the bracket on top of the leaf spring and that would eliminate the clearance issue and clamp the stock leaf springs back down as with the added helper spring. I believe that spring is not needed and the u-bolt and clamp is all that is needed. Keeping it from sliding back may take some modification to the clamp or bracket..thats what the other end of the spring seems to do with it's light duty clamp that got distorted on mine. I will post the ride difference.haven't gone anywhere for 3 days now.
The helper springs are doing what a loaded bed would do.....which is where a truck handles and rides best..not with an empty bed......from my truck experience weight on the back end helps traction best. In the winter I usually add more tools verses an empty bed.

*Titan_TX* · 12-28-2004, 03:03 PM

I am also interested to see what your review is with them off. Because to me after putting them on it feels a bit more stiff and the back end seems to be more rough than before.

honeykeeper · 12-28-2004, 06:52 PM

Well I went for the test today with no spring helpers...to tell you the truth I forgot they were off.....the ride was smoother.....and more comfortable. I did not nail-it around any corners...forgot to...just enjoyed the ride. Will nail-it tomorrow on the corners and see if there is a differrence.

CHEIF · 12-28-2004, 07:54 PM

Tom,

Thanks for the re-review. When I installed these and noticed how much the U-Bolt tightened on the springs I wondered if this was what was making a lot of the change, then I just forgot about it

Cheif

honeykeeper · 12-28-2004, 08:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by CHEIF

Tom,

Thanks for the re-review. When I installed these and noticed how much the U-Bolt tightened on the springs I wondered if this was what was making a lot of the change, then I just forgot about it

Cheif

I think the u-bolt and clamp does all the work by clamping the stock leaf springs down..and the added steel leaf is just for looks in this case and hangs down. The U- bolt can be used at the front of the bottom leaf spring and is far away from cables or chains on the tires then and still compresses the springs if need be for the stiff ride effect. Glad the Titan feels good now without them!!

M1keBusa · 12-29-2004, 04:37 PM

I just finished installing these on my KC 4x4 non off-road, I had no clearance problem and install was very easy due to the use of a lift. My only question is the rivets that comes with them. I was wondering if anyone used these or just left them out. Also for the front bracket, the 9/16 bolt had two nuts, what is the purpose of those too, I installed one nut in the middle of the bracket and one nut on the outside. As clearance, I have no problem. I took it out for a test drive and took the same corner I take home everyday from the base and felt good. No more bouncy rear end, it actually took it all the way with one tire slip, but that could be due to the hard acceleration. I am happy with this less than 25 bucks mod. Thanks.