Noise from strut top area dobinsons

Hello, trying to diagnose a clicking noise from right front suspension.
I have a 5th gen with dobinsons MRA’s @2.5 inch lift that have been on for about 8 months. New dobinsons UCA’s included. All nuts and bolts are tight and torqued to spec, do not have sway bar on currently and no KDSS. It is an up and down clicking that I can reproduce when I push up and down on the front bumper, when driving only heard when hitting very small bumps and cracks in road, nothing when hitting big bumps. It feels like it’s the strut top but I send a video to exitoffroad (vendor I purchased from) and they think the strut top nut is tight and not the problem. Prior to clicking I had a squeak coming from same area but figured it was just the UCA bushings making the noise, can no longer hear the squeaky just the clicking. No idea what to check for next any help would be appreciated. I have video but can’t figure out how to add it.

 

It looks like a different design, but is that the third strut nut in the back of the photo? If so, there are no threads showing whereas the front two have a lot of threads showing.

Maybe stick a gopro under there while you're driving to see if you can see what's making the noise.

 

Yes the rear strut nut is a larger/taller nut than the two front nuts. I stripped one out and had to swap it.
When I’m off work I’m going to check the LCA bolts as I got an alignment recently.

 

Check the torque on your lower shock mount.

 

agreed, doesnt look threaded down alm the way

 

Is the replacement nut shouldered like the originals? If not, it could have dug into the the steel enough to effectively loosen it’s torque.

 

Any updates?

 

Kinda related question - anyone know the torque for those nuts on the top? I have seen a wide array of values. My last research indicated it was 47ft lbs, but not sure. Also, any creative ways to get a torque wrench at that back nut?

 

i did mine to 40 and the rear nut you just have to torque down by hand

 

I have this same exact issue on my 2-year-old Dobinsons MRAs only on one side. I reached out to Dobinson's directly and they said the only noise the shock can make up there is if the bushings are worn out on the strut mounts. I pulled mine and they looked fine though, everything is torqued to spec. Going to replace the strut mounts this week.

https://photos.app.goo.gl/9W4Xdc58kCuT8QiR8

 

Have you tried adjusting the damping? Sometimes I wonder if some shocks make sound that literally comes from fluid moving within the shocks. If the noise changes in some way with different compression or rebound setting, maybe the clicking is just noise it makes “naturally”. Just spitballing here.

 

I have adjust tried dampening, rebound, etc. Only that shock makes that noise. I replaced the strut mount yesterday and noise still exist. Dobinsons gave me an RMA to send it back and mentioned there could be an issue with the rebound spring within the shock.

 

Good deal, hopefully that solves it!

 

For sure, it is incredibly annoying. I will keep this post updated once I get them back/any info from Dobinsons. Way too many posts out there where people don't follow-up with findings.

 

After sending this shock to Dobinsons, it's a broken rebound spring that they replaced, and sent the shock back. Great service from them and glad to finally have an answer.