jblc
Well-Known Member
- Thread starter
- #1
I went to an offroad location for the first time to explore the (limited compared with 4x4) capabilities of my FX2 2WD. I was on Beginner and Moderate trails, usually moving as slow as a 2WD would allow.
After about two hours I noticed a subtle "clunk" in the steering, when i turned the wheel either direction. Like some loose play when changing steering to the other direction. Not really heard, more felt through the steering wheel.
I'm certain it has not been there with normal driving this past year. I don't know if it's always been there or not with very slow driving, since I don't do that normally.
Do you all have this as well? Is this normal?
Could I have bent or broken any linkages/bearings? I tried to go as slow as possible when not on flat ground.
I can't tell if this is normal -- eg power steering engaging differently when on deflated tires, or just slow speed behavior -- or if I damaged something / loosened something.
I'm worried that I harmed something, since I don't know what mechanical forces the suspension can tolerate when offroad, even if slow.
Note: I didn't notice the clunk feeling on the highway. I did recheck lugnut torque before driving back on the highway though, and needed to add about 10 ft-lb to each front lugnut to get to 100. It would be surprising it that would cause a clunk when a wheel turns though.
P.S. My offroad-related changes are
- Bilstein 5100 front/back (set to no-lift, stock height, in front)
- Destination AT2 265/70R17
- skid plates: read diff, fuel tank, steering, and engine
- onboard air compressor
- 9x cameras (not for offroad only, but useful for that).
- recovery gear eg traction boards, snatch strap / shackles, etc.
- canopy / other gear. Not meant for offroad specifically, but it's ~400 lb total in back; so better traction.
After about two hours I noticed a subtle "clunk" in the steering, when i turned the wheel either direction. Like some loose play when changing steering to the other direction. Not really heard, more felt through the steering wheel.
I'm certain it has not been there with normal driving this past year. I don't know if it's always been there or not with very slow driving, since I don't do that normally.
Do you all have this as well? Is this normal?
Could I have bent or broken any linkages/bearings? I tried to go as slow as possible when not on flat ground.
I can't tell if this is normal -- eg power steering engaging differently when on deflated tires, or just slow speed behavior -- or if I damaged something / loosened something.
I'm worried that I harmed something, since I don't know what mechanical forces the suspension can tolerate when offroad, even if slow.
Note: I didn't notice the clunk feeling on the highway. I did recheck lugnut torque before driving back on the highway though, and needed to add about 10 ft-lb to each front lugnut to get to 100. It would be surprising it that would cause a clunk when a wheel turns though.
P.S. My offroad-related changes are
- Bilstein 5100 front/back (set to no-lift, stock height, in front)
- Destination AT2 265/70R17
- skid plates: read diff, fuel tank, steering, and engine
- onboard air compressor
- 9x cameras (not for offroad only, but useful for that).
- recovery gear eg traction boards, snatch strap / shackles, etc.
- canopy / other gear. Not meant for offroad specifically, but it's ~400 lb total in back; so better traction.
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