Hello everyone,

I have a 97 4x4 that I recently purchased and have been fixing alot of little issues to date but noticed when I am going forward and hits the brakes kinda hurriedly something feels like it moved and makes a thunking sound. I checked the brakes and they seem ok. Any ideas as to what may be happening? The front end is pretty tight.

Shock tower maybe?

Thanks for any feedback ppl.

 

Control arm bushings?

 

Hi esde,

Are those the bushings on the long arms that are in the front that go front to rear? I saw that they can move "alittle" side to side. Is that normal?

Thanks for the reply

 

Track bar is usually the first to go and clunks with the brakes.
Have someone turn the steering wheel slightly back and forth while you watch the side by the driver's side tire.
If you can see any movement in the joint at all the track bar is shot.

 

side to side will cause an annoying rattle. Back/ forward will let the axle rotate as you accel or brake, and go CLUNK. Infidel is on with the track bar, though when mine went, the CLUNK was accompanied by a jerk to one side. See also
https://www.dieseltruckresource.com/...a-t279946.html
in case your control arm alignment bolts are munched.

 

You shud still check the trailing arms wat both ends. my boss owns a 2002 it is making that clunk when the brakes are applied and you can see the forward upper trailing arm bolt move in his axle.

 

So edse do you now after replacing the bushings in the control arms have any movement at all when you try to twist the arm? Nice pics and thanks for the link.

I do get the clunking and a jerk to the side that I thought to be a sticking caliper, I will have to try what infidel said to see if the track bar is moving/shot too.
Thanks guys.

 

Cheap/lazy way to diagnose front end problems is to take your truck in for an alignment.
Every shop I've ever used will tell you for free what's wrong if it makes doing the alignment impossible.
They will usually give you a way out of line estimate too.

 

My bushings are ok, the bolts were worn, and the brackets mashed as shown. New bolts, fixed brackets, tight, tight, tight! The jerk to the side is the track bar giving you the finger. There is a kit to put the 3rd gen bar on that is supposed to be superior to our 2nd gen, but I haven't done it. Food for thought. Good luck.

 

where might one find this kit? my 94 is quite sloppy and i know the bar is around $160. if there is something better im certainly willing to pay a few more bux for it

 

i had the same klunk noise when puttin on the brakes. turned out the left hub bearing was shot.

 

Hi csa,

Do you recall how to check the hub for a bad bearing? Something like spinning the wheel and hearing a grinding noise and movement?
Thanks

 

several different ways to check it. spinning it is one. jack that wheel up so you grab the top and bottom of the tire. try moving the top of the tire in and out this is also how you check for balljoint play. you may hafta have 2 ppl one person moving the tire the other watching the ball joints and wheel bearing for movement

 

yep that be the way. or as infidel said take it to an alignment shop they will tell u what it is for free.