sheriffav8r

I'm getting a little clunking in the front end over speed bumps and around some corners. I've replaced the shocks but am wondering what tends to wear first and what to look for. I'm going to check out my steering box and tend to think that it might be loose. That BD steering support looks good, too, as I just saw a good write-up in DieselPower Mag. Any ideas?

MRFD715

Balljoints maybe? Mine did the same thing and I found the ball joints were shot, I also found lots of other front end parts that were junk too, check everything over good.

mr bill

Check the ball joints. I was having similar issues and while the tires were being rotated last I found lots of slop in the uppr ball joints.

redz

Hey all Redz here I have the same problem and people tell me it's the track bar..Should I be able to grab the trac bar and twist it with very very little force ? and should it clunk when it is fully twisted each way?






2oo1 QC Lb
Thanks Redz

cumminspower79

I think I have this same exact problem, I have a very faint clunking sound which seems to be more prominent over "washboard" type roads. Ive been trying to figure out what has been making this noise for a long time now. I know its not the trackbar, because I replaced that with a thuren unit. I have also changed the shocks which can cause a noise similar to this when the bottom bolt is loose, and also re-riveted my wheel-well liners. Im stumped. sheriffav8r if you figure it out let us know!

sheriffav8r

I'm on the road now, but will dig into it when I get back. My trackbar is pretty tight so I'm thinking ball joints. How do I actually check for wear on the ball joints? Take off the tire and check for vertical play? Or do I need to take the hub off? The shop manual makes it look difficult with a lot of special tools....

hamilton71801

I had the same clunking and started throwing parts at it. $800 later I discovered that my shock bolts were a little loose. I'd put the biggest/baddest impact you can get your hands on to those shock bolts and then go from there. You might be surprised.

hamilton71801

Jack the front end up and grab the bottom and top of the tire and see if there's movement. That's a good starting point.

Tazman

Ditto here,

Replaced shocks, track bar, upper and lower BJ's and still have a clunking over bumps.

I'm leaning to front rotors. I think if the lug studs is not properly drawn back into the hub assy after a brake job, the rotor may be loose. Also have a wicked shudder during braking that won't go away despite new axle seals (rear) and shoes.....maybe loose rotors again........

Will be checking this weekend if I get a chance and report back.

Cheers,

taz

j-fox

Mine was the lower shock bolt not quite tight enough!!

waldersha

Do you guys get the same thing when braking? If so, you might look into your intermediate steering shaft. They are collapsable to allow for flex from braking/turning but get worn and sloppy after so long. It will cause the same symptoms. . . ditto on the shock bolts too. Been there.

Lil Dog

How about sway bar struts? Mine were shot and it popped when every I made some less aggressive corners and slight braking..

SIXSLUG

You shouldn't be able to twist or even move the trac bar. I think you are talking about the tie rod. It is moveable and will clunk when twisted by hand.

The trac bar's job is to keep the axle from moving right or left under the truck. The tie rods steer the wheels left or right.

The control arms keep the axle from moving forwards or back and the ball joints keep the tires perpendicular to the road when driving in a straight forward direction and allow them to lean in and out when turning.

The Pitman arm attaches the steeering box to the long tie rod. If you have a levelling kit you may need to get a reverse pitman arm to relocate the steering system to avoid binding the main tie rod. This happened to my truck after I levelled it and put the Thuren trac bar on it.

Sorry I rambled there, but I hope this helps someone out!

Kurt

jump

Mine is clunking too. Especially when I back up and then again when I start forward. My control arm bushings are worn out. I'm on the way out the door to get some estimates.

JHew84

This is almost a pointless discussion, there are at least a dozen things on the front end of these trucks that could be causing a clunk. I've had a clunk in my front end ever since I bought the thing, I've been systematically going through and checking everything in the front end and replacing anything that even shows moderate signs of wear. So far I've done all 4 balljoints, 2 tie-rods and track bar. What I Have left is the control arms (did a temp fix on one of them, it was obviously worn, the others appear alright) and the steering box which has obvious play in it. I'm quite sure most of the remaining clunk is coming from the steering box itself, I just don't have the money to replace it and it's not worn enough to do any damage.

Start your truck and turn the wheel back and forth quickly, if you feel a clunk your steering box is likely getting worn as well. You can also get down under the truck after jacking it up and just take a prybar and try to move things, such as the spindles, if there is noticable movement in the joint it's worn and could be clunking.

It's a long battle, get ready to get dirty! .