New Bumpers from TURN Offroad

[TheBroncolorian]

No squeaks for me yet, but I have less than 100mi on it. I packed the hell out of everything with grease though and torqued stuff down. I'll report back in 500mi if I have this issue. So far I need to at least take it on some local bouncy unsaved roads and see how the hiem joints hold up.

The heim joints continue to be a game of squeak/rattle and tweak for me (I pretty much expected the consistent adjustments to be a thing in the first year of ownership), but I still have to change my bump stops to the extended pieces Turn's supplier forgot to include, and readjust the stopping distance accordingly, so my license plate stops making contact at close. I have noticed that my left side of my bumper sits noticeably lower compared to the right (as well as other examples here), and my tailgate is misaligned by almost half an inch upwards. Not sure if the bumper alignment can be fixed, but I'm hoping maybe Turn just forgot to include a spacer of some sort for the bumper mount on the passenger side, and it's an easy fix.

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[PROACEX1]

That may be the reason why I haven't noticed anything yet, I have the extended bump stops!! I had to do a lot of trimming but I finally got it to where the reverse camera and 360 wasn't out of wack (1000% worth the time to correct and align).

Since I have the tire mounted license plate, no issues there, but I think spring time I may "spring" for the license plate relocation to the swing out door.

Have you greased the heim joints with some white lithium or tri-flow?

I think I lucked out and my production Bronco's QC was solid, my bumper is aligned as is the swing out door, so I've had very few issues with fitment from that aspect so far. I didn't have to use any shims when mounting the bumper.

 

[Michael541]

The heim joints continue to be a game of squeak/rattle and tweak for me (I pretty much expected the consistent adjustments to be a thing in the first year of ownership), but I still have to change my bump stops to the extended pieces Turn's supplier forgot to include, and readjust the stopping distance accordingly, so my license plate stops making contact at close. I have noticed that my left side of my bumper sits noticeably lower compared to the right (as well as other examples here), and my tailgate is misaligned by almost half an inch upwards. Not sure if the bumper alignment can be fixed, but I'm hoping maybe Turn just forgot to include a spacer of some sort for the bumper mount on the passenger side, and it's an easy fix.

Regarding the tailgate misalignment upwards, this is the same issue I immediately noticed too. I believe the removal of the weight of the spare tire from the factory hinge mounting points (aluminum) caused this. Bust out your star sockets and you'll find plenty of adjustment upwards available on the striker plate when all bolts are loose. Even with your left side bumper vs right side alignment, I would still do the striker adjustment so you're not beating on that tailgate latch assembly. Just adjust the striker again if you change the bumper mounts positions.

 

[TheBroncolorian]

Regarding the tailgate misalignment upwards, this is the same issue I immediately noticed too. I believe the removal of the weight of the spare tire from the factory hinge mounting points (aluminum) caused this. Bust out your star sockets and you'll find plenty of adjustment upwards available on the striker plate when all bolts are loose. Even with your left side bumper vs right side alignment, I would still do the striker adjustment so you're not beating on that tailgate latch assembly. Just adjust the striker again if you change the bumper mounts positions. Thank you for the tips!

Followed this advice, in addition to the new bump stops. Not only did it completely eliminate the heim joints rattle I was experiencing, along with the license plate clearance issue, but also somehow the tailgate is aligned noticeably more level along the opening side. So far, the only "gripe" left is the metal on metal creak at the right mounting point when opening and closing the tail gate.

 

[PROACEX1]

Followed this advice, in addition to the new bump stops. Not only did it completely eliminate the heim joints rattle I was experiencing, along with the license plate clearance issue, but also somehow the tailgate is aligned noticeably more level along the opening side. So far, the only "gripe" left is the metal on metal creak at the right mounting point when opening and closing the tail gate.

I'd try to grease the joints a bit as I recommended above.

"Have you greased the heim joints with some white lithium or tri-flow? "


The upper bump stop I just bought some cheap 1/4in washers and extended it out btw, it helped a lot with overall stability once you get the extended bottom bump stops installed and aligned!

 

[TheBroncolorian]

I'd try to grease the joints a bit as I recommended above.

"Have you greased the heim joints with some white lithium or tri-flow? "


The upper bump stop I just bought some cheap 1/4in washers and extended it out btw, it helped a lot with overall stability once you get the extended bottom bump stops installed and aligned!

Luckily for me, I think the missing extended bump stops were what was allowing some play between the distance of the door and the swing arm when driving over bumpy roads. Adding those bump stops essentially made those connection points taut and there's zero play in the swing arm or the heim joints when the door's closed. My only theory is there's some flex in my frame at the bumper mount location on the right side. I disconnected the swing arm once and tugged on the bumper and could reproduce that creak, so I can rule out the bearings of the upper swing mount.

 

[TheBroncolorian]

Got another mystery to try and solve gang: a consistent, metal on metal groan/creak. Naturally only happens when there's force applied against the bumper & door (outward force). What I've done so far is tightened the mounting bolts underneath and added the extended bump stops to solidify any flex in the door portion of the bumper. Maybe it's the nut inside the swing arm?

 

[Michael541]

Got another mystery to try and solve gang: a consistent, metal on metal groan/creak. Naturally only happens when there's force applied against the bumper & door (outward force). What I've done so far is tightened the mounting bolts underneath and added the extended bump stops to solidify any flex in the door portion of the bumper. Maybe it's the nut inside the swing arm?

Man, that's a wicked annoying noise. I cannot really tell from the video audio exactly where the noise is coming from. It would be worth, loosening the swing arm bolt, and re-tighten to spec maybe? Repack grease too at same time, is visual inspection warrants. Think working from back at that installation step of the bumper, finishing back out toward the tailgate heim joints installation and adjustments. All this because you were adjusted initially without the proper tailgate bump stops. Tedious, but at least you're giving everything it's best chance to work right.

 

[TheBroncolorian]

Man, that's a wicked annoying noise. I cannot really tell from the video audio exactly where the noise is coming from. It would be worth, loosening the swing arm bolt, and re-tighten to spec maybe? Repack grease too at same time, is visual inspection warrants. Think working from back at that installation step of the bumper, finishing back out toward the tailgate heim joints installation and adjustments. All this because you were adjusted initially without the proper tailgate bump stops. Tedious, but at least you're giving everything it's best chance to work right.

I'm definitely trying to work the problem backwards, leading up to a full disassembly, as the last resort, as much as possible. The other annoying thing about the design of the swing arm is the allen bolts securing the decorative dust cap are so soft. So might be the second to last time I get to take it apart and do maintenance man I miss that stock bumper a bit.

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