2nd Gen Non-Engine/Transmission Front end clunk still there?

[litespeed]

I posted a thread on a clunk I had in my front end here several weeks ago.



It turns out that the U-joint going to the steering box was loose (bolt falling out). I tightened the bolt and the steering immediately got better (not as loose). However... ... It still has not corrected the clunk?



The best way to describe it is like this... ... ... ... .....



I only can hear it going very slow (IE: less than 10 MPH). It seems to be worse in turns. Very small undualting bumps make it go crazy????



I was reading a thread here a few week ago about bad shock mounts or bushings?



Could this be the culprit?



I have been under the truck numerous times and everything seems tight... . It still has the factory shocks. And they are shot (big time). Any bridge and the thing bobs like a Dodge Dynasty with bad struts (bounces for a mile).



I dont know??????



Any ideas?

 

[Justin1889]

Well on mine I had a clunking and it was the lower shock bolt that had ground down about 1/4 of an inch. Its pretty easy to check.

 

[Slick]

Sounds like the same "clunk" that I had. No steering wander or shake going down the highway just a low speed clunk when turning and braking. My front end clunk ended up being the intermediate steering shaft. The first mechanic at the dealership (after I drove with the Service Manager and we both agreed that it was most likely in the steering column), diagnosised it as tie rod ends track bar steering stabilizer etc. $800. 00! All was replaced and it didn't change one thing!!! Second mechanic (and a friend of mine) diagnosised the intermediate shaft and replaced it. FIXED!!!!! Also covered under extended warranty $100. 00 deductible. Oo.

 

[Todd F]

A buddy of mine had what seem to be the same sort of clunk. Changed shocks, ball joints and it was still there. You could feel the clunk in the steering wheel, it was so bad. Ended up being that the bolts on the trans cross member were loose

 

[litespeed]

Still looking....

Thanks for the input everyone... ...



I'm still looking. I'm thinking too it may be the intermediate shaft now? Hard to believe with so little miles (57,000)?



Still looking at other possibilities. Had it on a rack again today. Static and suspension hanging. Everything seemed real tight?



Certainly a mystery.....



It is so subtle... ... But it should not be there and it cant be good for what ever component is expierencing the clunk.



AJ

 

[DBazley]

Litespeed, did you ever figure this out ? I've got the same exact clunk you describe. I've replaced EVERYTHING in the front, and it's only getting worse.



One question occurs: I already put in the Borgeson steering shaft - is that the same as the "Intermediate steering shaft' you refer to ? The Borgeson is the main shaft part in the engine compartment, about 3 ft long. Or do you mean the Dodge part that protrudes through the firewall and looks like a 'circular metal cage' near where the drivers feet sit ?



On my truck here's what's new: Control arms (part of the Rancho 2" lift), track bar rebuilt w/ Lukes link, Darins Steering Stabilizer, Energy Suspension bushings on sway bar, Borgeson steering shaft, Rancho 9000X shocks.



Plus everything is properly tight - I can't find anything loose at all - I've been searching the forums and everyone seems to either be guessing, or they discovered something loose that is tight on mine. But my symptoms are as you describe, a persistent clunk, when going slow or making small motions like entering driveways, or small washboard type dirt road make it ratata ta ta like. Plus you feel it through the floorboards & pedals as well as hear it - most distinctly through the steering wheel.



I'm kinda afraid to drive these windy mountain roads - don't want something critical to fall off or fail near a cliff... ...



Ideas litespeed or anyone else ??



David B.

 

[REFLOYD]

check the front axle ujoints

 

[litespeed]

check the front axle ujoints

In my case that is not possible. Could be for David!







David,



I think my problem is the shock bushings. I still have the factory (crappy, horrible) POS shocks.



I have been reading the Bilstein threads for a couple months. I just have not done it. We only use the truck for fun or for pulling.



I guess the bushing goes and all the tightening in the world wont make it go away?



I'm not a big fan of throwing money at a problem (not knowing what the problem really is). But I'm pretty sure this is the problem.



I'll post the results when I do it. It will be within the next few weeks.



It is very subtle and only while turning and going slowly. Sometimes while going straight. But always while driving slowly. Like idling out of the driveway in 2nd gear.



AJ

 

[nps]

I found that the ends of the bolts that tighten the adjusting sleeve near the pittman arm (the sleeve used to center the wheel) was hitting on the track bar. Turned them a few degrees and no more clunk. The steering wheel is slightly off center, but that is better than the annoying clunk.

 

[BILLVO]

I found that the ends of the bolts that tighten the adjusting sleeve near the pittman arm (the sleeve used to center the wheel) was hitting on the track bar. Turned them a few degrees and no more clunk. The steering wheel is slightly off center, but that is better than the annoying clunk.

I had this problem with my last pickup 2500 4X4 V10. I am on my 3rd 2nd gen and have had all problems in posts above wrong in system. except axle joints Have had bad intermediate shaft bad track bars many times loose lower shock mount bolts. and the worst and hardest one to find.



check this. I and dealer chased this one for a year.



The spare tire was loose in the rear frame not much but enough to feel at low speeds. just snugged up the cable carrier and problem solved. I found this as I annualy check spare tire psi and felt it move when I reached around it.

 

[DBazley]

Hi guys:



All your suggestions are appreciated ! I'm printing this thread, and all will be checked very soon - what a list of possibilites !



Ideas:



AJ - can you (or anyone) confirm - is the 'intermediate steering shaft' the one in the engine compartment OR the one that goes through the floor (therefore in both footwell AND engine compartment) ?



If the latter, how does one troubleshoot it ? Does that cage thingy come off, it appears stationary, so the inner shaft must rotate...



Also, you won't regret either Bilsteins or Rancho 9000's on your front, both are super for our trucks. I have Rancho's cause I tow heavy and enjoy the adjustability feature.



NPS, I'll check that bolt interferenance with track bar - could be !



Also, Luke's link on trackbar end could be loose, but I grabbed the track bar on that end, with all the force I could muster and it didnt budge at all. Maybe that's not a good enough test...



BILLVO - wow, a loose spare tire - crazy ! I'll check it. Another fellow mentioned loose trans to crossmember bolts.....



Ever ask yourself, why do we put up with these niggling hassles ?



It's quite a testimony to our enjoyment of these trucks in their strong points that we tolerate their weak points, eh ?



I guess this gives me a realistic correlation to to the Grace my wife has for her husband... ... taking into account all the positive mods I've cooperated on !



Thanks to all - I'll report back on findings.....



David B.

 

[DAWG-1]

Steering

I had a clunk only when going slow and turning. I have the steering stabilizer bar that connects to the frame using the sway bar mounting holes. I found my clunk at the sway bar bolts. The bolts on the drivers side came loose and sent the clunk all the way up to the steering wheel. I removed the bolts put new washers and some blue locktite installed, no more clunk. Good luck,Sam.

 

[JoeyJ]

I had a like clunk at low speed... very noticable over speed bumps. mine was slop in the lower bushing to shock bolt clearance which allowed the shock to slide back and forth on the bolt and cluck into the mounting bracket on the lower A arm. Rancho didn't have replacement bushings and the warranty belongs to the former owner so I washered the end play and will switch to Bilsteins.

good luck

 

[satmike]

Mine was the Lukes link. I put the shims in, no more clunk. I couldn't see any movement laying under the truck and have the wife turn the wheel. Could here and feel the pop, clunk through the frame but couldn't find it. The track bar was the problem

 

[Crowhurst]

Mine was a slight loosening of the bolt with the flag nut which secures the passenger side end of the trackbar. It took a long, long time to track it down. (Months!)

Nick.

 

[JSTC]

There is a thread out there that suggests the clunk is in the lower bushing of the steering column . The individual has a kit & instructions for the fix. I believe is something like (Rocksolid ) I don't recall how I stumpled on to it. Cost I believe is only $40. 00 . Good luck