Skid plates clunking after lift?

After installing 883s w/ Nitrochargers (assembled by Wheelers so I'm confident it was done correctly), I have been experiencing a clunk up front over sharp bumps at lower speeds (around 20-40mph).

So I bought a torque wrench and torqued every bolt I removed during the install to spec (except the Upper Ball Joint bolt as I couldn't get to it, and it's definitely tight as I had to get the pin in). After, I took it for a drive and it's still clunkin.

Then decided to take off the stock skid plates and it seems to be gone... Problem is they were installed correctly and bolts were tight.

So my question is, when I put these skids back on, what can I do so they aren't clunking? Or could it be that the sway bar is hitting the front skid? I'm at a loss as the sway is torqued to spec and seems to be just as it came off...

 

Sway bar relocate?

 

But why would a lift (especially a small 1.3") effect the skid's position in relation to the sway bar? They bolt to the same thing. And the sway is not hitting the coils...

 

I dunno man, just spitballing waiting for someone to come help you out lol

 

Your new coils aren't contacting the skid at all are they? I have a 3 inch lift and stock skids and no problems

 

No really, was a good thought. in looking at it there is really no way for the skid to hit the sway bar as there are the two large frame connections below the sway that the skid mount to.

 

Not that I can tell, no marks on either. And at rest the sway is about an inch from the lower part of the coil.

 

Here are some photos that I think might help. Everything look right?

 

Might I have the sway bar cocked to far upwards? Notice in this photo how it tilts upwards bringing it closer to the coil. Maybe if I loosen the brackets and turn it downwards I will clear the coil more.

 

Your sway bar can't be moved like that. You need to order a sway bar relocate kit.

 

Copy that. Ordered. Thanks man! I really didn't think I'd need it with the 883s... Still think the skids are making a racket too, but one step at a time.

 

I don't know how it could be your skid plate. I haven't had by sway bar on for a while, but it never made noise in me.

I have after market skids too. They sit closer to the sway bar when installed. Did you (if it's possible) install the sway bar the wrong way? Not sure it can be. But, may as well ask.

 

99% sure I got it back on exactly the way it came off. I only unbolted it, didn't even take it out. Just got it out of the way so I could swap the coils.

I am confused about the skids too, the clanking seems to have gotten better with them off... But they were bolted up correctly and tight. That said, I realize now there is no way the sway was hitting them.

 

I got the 883's on mine with no issues. But I have the 5100's . I noticed that you are running OME shocks. I have read that guys where having some issues simpler to that . Just my $ .02

 

Hey bud, I'm currently using OME front shocks with 885Xs... I get the same exact clunk you are referring too. The OME setup is much stiffer than your stock ride, subsequently you are going to hit speed bumps much harder (compared to stock setup at the same speed). It sucks, but after 30K miles I've learned to live with it.

EDIT: I have completed removed by sway bar and skid plates and still get the clunk.

 

Well I went apeshit last night, prying on stuff and testing her on the bumpiest of New Orleans streets, which are fuckin "trail rated" if you know what I mean.

It is definitely not the sway bar. It sits 1" away from the coils and doesn't make the clank with the skids off.

Correct me but, the sway bar is not going to get closer to the coil during spring/shock travel, it will move with it, theoretically maintaining it's 1" clearance...

So I put the skids back on (carfully making sure the hooks and edges aren't touching anything) torqued her down good and noise is gone.

If this does end up to be a live it scenario, I'm ok with that. The trade off is well worth it.

 

The only other thing I can say is that over time, the spring and strut start to loosen up a little bit and, subsequently, the clunk eases a little bit.

 

Sway bar relocate did not fix... Everything is torqued to spec... Might start looking under the hood for potential culprits.

 

possibly the engine bouncing around in its mounts? stiffer shocks means more energy to move things around.

 

Sounds like the "OME hit speed bump go clunk". It's a common issue and something some OME struts do. I had it on my 887's, thought it was the swaybar, but couldn't find any marks or rubbing, and it continued after removing the sway bar.