2nd Gen Non-Engine/Transmission Found the clunk in my front end

[PPettit]

Crawled under the truck and stared at things awhile today. I was sure the clunk was coming from my Bilstien shocks since it had initially gone away when I installed them 8 months ago. Nope. Found that the idiot kid at Les Schwab had left the tie rod clamp rotated so it bumped against the crossmember when he set up the toe in (same kid who told me caster was not adjustable). Anyhow, a little twisting on a wrench and its much quieter now. I still have a noise that is more like a groan that I get while turning the steering wheel. I'll have to keep looking... ...

 

[Neibe]

I have a groan in my truck steering I think it is the steering shaft. Let me know if you find it.

 

[PPettit]

After staring at it some more and driving another 600 miles on it, I am beginning to think it is related to the tie rods rotating. The tie rod ends are loose enough that I can rotate them back and forth fairly easily but I do not see any movement when I try to move the tires back and forth while off the ground. It appears that the steering stabilizer forces them to rotate one direction then the other as you steer back and forth. Not sure just yet where this translates into the groaning sound I hear.



Phil

 

[Denis]

Steering Groan

Have a groan when turning the wheel on my '97. It's the steering column. Seems Dodge used a cheap plastic bearing at the lower end of the column; costs close to 600. 00 for a new column of the same design; so I live with the noise. Not dangerous just annoining.

Denis

 

[lil red cummins]

i had a groan noise in a vehicle many years ago and traced it to the horn contact ring. the ring was not lubricated and the spring loaded brush was stick-slipping on the ring as you turned the wheel. i put some electrical contact cleaner/lubricant spray on the ring and the noise went away.



just a thought.



jim

 

[nutter3]

Nope. Found that the idiot kid at Les Schwab had left the tie rod clamp rotated so it bumped against the crossmember when he set up the toe in (same kid who told me caster was not adjustable)... ... .

Yea, I know that feeling. I got new tires from Les Schwab in MT last spring. Shortly afterwards I got a flat that could not be repaired. When the same Les Schwab dealer put on a new tire, I never noticed it was the wrong size. Winter came around and my 4wd wouldn't shift in and out smoothly. Finally got my truck back to Alaska and got it in to the dealer for the shift problem. The service manager didnt even have to look at the truck, just by my description he said it was related to tire size. Yup, that idiot kid at Les Schwab replaced a 265 with a 285. If I had used 4wd much, or it had been on the rear, I would have had serious problems. BAN Les Schwab!!

Of coarse, I should have noticed. I guess I just dont look at my tires enough.

 

[PPettit]

I probably shouldn't be so harsh on the boys at Les Schwab. They have done a pretty good job overall on tire issues for me. I will just remember that they are a tire store... .



I will be taking a look at the horn contact ring in the truck but it sure feels and sounds like the groan is coming from under the truck up front.



Phil