2nd Gen Non-Engine/Transmission clunking sound in front suspension

[RVPILOT]

I have a hi-miler, running on my third front suspension rebuild, have about75,000 since redone. replaced shocks and new 14mm #8 bolts, checked out balljoints seemed to be ok. when I go thru a sharp dip at slow speed there is this clunk but when I am turning the wheels slightly to the left or right there is no noise. It is definatley out of alignment as the tires are scuffing on the inside, both sides. any ideas ? Stormy

 

[JGK]

Is there any play in the ball end (driver's side) of your track bar?



-Jay

 

[RVPILOT]

suspension

Thanks for the reply J G K, correct me if i am wrong but aren't trackbars

on 4x4's ? I made a trip last night about 300 miles round trip. It made the clunking sound going over even dips in the road. on my back and for the last 75 miles it stopped doing it. when I went over the dip that I could count on for the noise there wasn't any. so something moves around in the suspension. I thought it might be a cracked frame or broken coil spring. Iv'e replaced the ball joints two times on this truck and they last about 350,000 miles, both times there is no warning noise like this. I guess the only solution is to dissasemble the front end and look for worn parts. Stormy

 

[AFoulk]

If your truck is a 2wd, and its wearing the inside edges of the tires, that means your camber is off. i'd check to see if the a-arm bushings are shot. Either that, or maybe the mounting bolts are loose. I've also seen sway bar bushings go bad and cause a clunking, but that wont cause tire wear.

 

[JGK]

OOOPS. Brain fart on my part. I just got through replacing my track bar, which I think was causing a clunk, and I made a silly assumption.



Not sure it would help, but maybe jacking the front end up by the frame so the suspension is unloaded and then start moving things around by hand with maybe a pry bar might reveal something. As AFoulk said, worn edges on the tire would indicate an alignment issue.



But I'll bow out now. I'm a 4X4 guy and don't have any experience with a two wheel drive.



-Jay