Cracking Sound after front Bull Bar installed?

10469 Views 28 Replies 7 Participants Last post by Flame Red, May 14, 2009

toyo9494

Discussion Starter · Apr 9, 2009

I've been experiencing a lot of cracking sound coming from the front, after a complete stop, and when starting again, that's when the sound will start. ( like when you start putting load onto the car ), took my Sports to the dealer two times, first time they tightened the bolts that hold the bull bar, sounds gone for a while, then it came back after couple days, took it in today, they removed the bull bar completely sound is gone for now. Anyone has after market bull bar put on, any strange sound.
Dealer told me that the bracket that came with the bull bar is attached to the subframe of the body, and when load is put on vehicle, the body flex, and sound were created with the subframe of body of the car and the brackets that hold the bull bar.
Anyone has any solution to the above. I am thinking of putting rubber washer in between brackets and subframe, would it help, please help with any info. thanks

1 - 20 of 29 Posts

nmrforce

· #2 · Apr 10, 2009

Would it be possible to see a picture of the bull bar and the part of the bull bar that bolts to the car?

PhotonDreams

· #3 · Apr 10, 2009

I bought a 3" stainless steel one from this site, http://www.wooddashexperts.com/customer/home.php?cat=8040 and had the guys at an independent garage install it, since it was freezing ass cold outside at the time. They always did good work for me and when I saw that, with all their equipment, it took 1hr and 45 min. to do the job right, I was glad I did not do it myself. I've had no problems with it at all........................................so far.

to_fire

· #4 · Apr 10, 2009

Hard to tell without a pic of the mounting plate, but don't use rubber...too wobbly. Try polyurethane. It's a lot harder. Poly bushings are used to mount anti-sway bars.

Flame Red

· #5 · Apr 10, 2009 (Edited)

I have a Black Horse Bull Bar on my 09 HH.

I believe I have a similar sound as you mentioned. I do not recall if it was present before I installed the bull bar. I did not think it was caused by the bull bar myself. The sound is somewhat present when the brakes are engaging or if one starts to turn the wheel. I assumed it was some kind of brake caliper noise. Occurs when stopped and just (gently) start to roll. Most noticeable when I'm pulling out of the garage or pulling into the garage (gas engine off and in EV mode). I think it is because I hear it bouncing off the garage walls. Sounds like creaking. I believe it is caused by the disk calipers engaging / disengaging. I am confident this is the sound I am hearing as it is the exact same noise one hears if one bleeds one brakes when changing brake pads (at least on other cars)

I know I tighten the Bull Bar bolts tighter than they should be as I actually snapped one. So no way mine could be on any tighter.

If your dealer is right I would think some sort of washer or perhaps nylon washer would cure it. But like I said, I really think on mine it is the brake calipers moving. And if it is the calipers, nothing can be done.

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toyo9494

Discussion Starter · #6 · Apr 11, 2009

Thanks for the info FL, you know something , I believe the dealer was right this time, after removing the bull bar and the brackets from the vehicle, the cracking sound is completely gone. I will post the picture of the mounting brackets later. I have to think of a way to re-install it with some sort of rubber washer or anything to isolate the flexing of the vehicle and the metal brackets. By the way I have the very similar bull bar with yours, but just without the name " blackhorse" on it. I also went to HOmedepot and couldn't find any rubber or polyurethane bushing, any idea where I can get it.???

Flame Red

· #7 · Apr 11, 2009

to_fire said:
Try polyurethane. It's a lot harder. Poly bushings are used to mount anti-sway bars.

Hmmm - maybe I have the same issue. I agree with to_fire, a poly bushing may be the way to go. I would go to a well stocked auto parts place and see what the can find for you. Bring the bolts with you so they know the size hole. Maybe an Auto Zone or similiar - they seem willing to go the extra mile for me in the past.

jmuhammad

· #8 · Apr 11, 2009

Bull Bar

Flame Red said:
I have a Black Horse Bull Bar on my 09 HH.

It looks nice. What does it do (is it just for looks or does it protect the vehicle somehow)?

Flame Red

· #9 · Apr 12, 2009

jmuhammad said:
It looks nice. What does it do (is it just for looks or does it protect the vehicle somehow)?

Down here we call them tourista crushers. Nothing works better to get tourists to get the heck out of your way.

Many say they actually create more damage in an accident. I don't know about that. I had a set on my previous GMC Envoy. Many years ago, a Soccor Mom was yacking on a cell phone and smashed into my rear end while I was stopped a light. Only damage was to my plastic cover on the hitch receiver was cracked. Her front end was smashed good.

But actually they are intended for off-road use. Supposed to keep the front end from getting damaged in ruts and by small trees and brush.

I think they work better in our urban jungle.

toyo9494

Discussion Starter · #10 · Apr 12, 2009

Hey guys, here are the pictures:

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toyo9494

Discussion Starter · #11 · Apr 12, 2009

I just found some used rubber floor mats, and made some cutting for the washer, hope it will work. will post after installed. thanks

Flame Red

· #12 · Apr 12, 2009

Those are the exact same brackets mine had.

jmuhammad

· #13 · Apr 12, 2009

It really looks nice and the skid plate looks useful, but everywhere I read it does more damage and may cause insurance rate to go up, the way they describe its response in a crash over 20mph makes total sense to me. Wow...it looks nice but I don't want to risk my frame or needlessly damage my bumper or fenders.

I saw one at the dealer and I grabbed the top of it and was able to push and pull it back and forth...I said 'wow, it's not secured at the top'. But it sure was purteee!

See shavimusha's response on http://forums.nicoclub.com/zerothread/385735-bull-bars-anyone (Nissan Rouge forum).

-Jason.

Flame Red

· #14 · Apr 12, 2009 (Edited)

jmuhammad said:
I saw one at the dealer and I grabbed the top of it and was able to push and pull it back and forth...I said 'wow, it's not secured at the top'. But it sure was purteee!
-Jason.

I may be a weakling, but I can't get mine to move either by westling with it or sitting on it.

I standby My experience with getting the one in the rear. Like I said a Soccer Mom smashed into me with a mini-van and she definitely got the worst of it. I was at a GMC dealer for a recall when a fellow rolled in with the same Envoy with a bashed in bumper. His was damaged in a similar type accident but he did not have one. He was most interested in what I had (similiar to the HH). Turned out his estimate was $1200.

I cann't imagine what it cost to fix that rear hatch with the electric lift - I don't want to find out.

These 5MPH bumpers aren't worth a crap. They are plastic designed to crumple. I rather the other party bounce off. All they do is make money for the dealers/body shops.

To each their own.

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jmuhammad

· #15 · Apr 12, 2009

Flame Red said:
I may be a weakling, but I can't get mine to move either by westling with it or sitting on it.

Cool. The BlackHorse one must be much better than what I saw at the Toyota dealership here on a Highlander. I will give the distributor a call and ask some questions. I would look really nice on my black Highlander Hybrid for sure.

-Jason.

toyo9494

Discussion Starter · #16 · Apr 13, 2009

Since getting some informaiton from you guys regarding likely frame damage from small accident, I would be putting some kind of rubber cushion between the bar and the front bumper , making it more support when there is a like impact. also, the one that I have is very solid after I installed it, there is absoluetly no free play in it. ( after all bolts are tightened )
One thing though, when I was in New York, don't all the cop cars has push bars on the front bumper for them to push vehicle away when needed, if that will caused damage to the frame, why these had been done for so long, I guess many state vehicles also has the same features too.

toyo9494

Discussion Starter · #17 · Apr 14, 2009

Just to update with the re-installation. Reinstalled the bull bar with home made rubber cushion ( from old rubber floor mat , just cut the same shape like the brackets ) no more cracking sound , it's been one day. hope this will really remove the sound from the front end.

mrhonnesty99

· #18 · Apr 18, 2009 (Edited)

jmuhammad said:
It looks nice. What does it do (is it just for looks or does it protect the vehicle somehow)?

it all depends with what purpose you want it for in my case i work in an area with no private parking and a ton of people with lease cars they dont care if they bump you 20 times while parking, rather than getting a new bumper i decided to get this that way i take joy in pushing there car hard on my way in and out. (just returning the favor)

toyo9494

Discussion Starter · #19 · Apr 18, 2009

I hear you M.......99, I used to live in NYC for so many years, our cars are all damaged by people bumping you while parking, leaving a lot of scratches and dings on the bumpers.

All just an update, still no more cracking sound after putting rubber cushion with brackets. It works.......ha ha

Flame Red

· #20 · Apr 29, 2009

Guys, I owe you a big thank you. I finally got around to cutting up a rubber mat and the trick got rid of that creepy noice. Most Excellent! Thank you

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