I need your help fellow 2nd gen gurus.

'99 CTD, 285K miles, and when I hit the brake I get a slight "clunk" coming from the front driver's side. Front brake caliper checks out tight fine. I replaced a bad tie rod end driver's side, no joy. I think the ball joints are good, no play in them that I can see. It seems to be getting worse.

The clunk happens when I apply the brake. Then when I put it in reverse and hit the brake it clunks also. When I go forward and hit the brake there is a clunk, but if I keep going forward and hit the brake, no clunk.

I checked out the intermediate shaft and it was functioning fine and not binding. I had one go bad years ago and caused a similar clunking sound.

Any ideas?

 

Is it a 4X4?

 

I had a similar problem when I took off my running boards, it was my cab mount bolts, I didnt tighten them enough. Once I tightened them up there was no more clunk.

 

Yes.

I checked the bolts and everything seems tight.

 

Any other suggestions? It bugs the hell out of me!

 

This may sound stupid but it worked for me...Have you checked your downpipe bolts lately? My truck was making similar noises and it turned out that the downpipe was loose and just swinging around, hitting the frame rail. I mainly heard it if I had to make a somewhat rough turn into a driveway or something. Worth a try to see if its loose...

 

U-joints in steerng knuckles, loose shock bolts, egged control arm bushing(s), loose brake pads, loose lug nuts, loose water bottle under back seat, loose something!!

 

Thats where my money goes. Seen it too many times.

 

That is my guess, or worn shock mounts/loose shock bolts.

 

Turns out the ball joints were bad.

I cannot believe I let them go that long.