2nd Gen Non-Engine/Transmission front end clunking when turing to the right

[LKuilder]

My front end has developed a clunking over the past week or two. It is coming from the right front corner only when I turn to the right. The only change I've recently made to the truck was installing my 5" MBRP exhaust system. I figured that maybe it was something hitting the exhaust but I can't find anywhere.



Its only making the noise when I turn to the right and it is coming from the right front corner. Could it possibly be the ball joints? The truck had ball joints installed on the left side just before I bought it last summer. (from the reciept that was left in the glove box) I just turned 170,000 on it. No idea if the right sides have ever been replaced or if they are still the originals. Not sure if this is it just wondering if it was a possibility.



Any help would be greatly appreciated.

 

[DannyUpstate]

Jack up the front of the truck and support it with jack stands. Squat down alongside the wheel and grab onto the top and bottom of the wheel and try to rock it in and out. If the ball joints are failing you'll feel it move.

Then check the rest of the steering system components. All the tie rods, tie rod ends, and drag link. Make sure all the joints are lubricated and not failed. Put a pry bar in between all the joints and try to wiggle them. Same thing goes for the track bar. Check the way that's mounted to the truck too.

Good Luck.

 

[Crowhurst]

When my truck had this exact symptom it was the flag nut/bolt that secured the passenger side end of the trackbar. It just needed tightening, and the clunk was cured, after many hours of searching.

Nick.

 

[Tinman]

It could be any of the ball joints in the front end, but the ball joint on the track bar is most suspect. Luke's Links will solve your problems if that's it. These things can be hard to locate sometimes and you just have to start replacing things until is goes away.

 

[LKuilder]

Was looking around under the front end today and seen that the ball joint on the drag link where it connects to the tie rod appears to be rather worn. Would this be a good starting point?

 

[Tinman]

Could be. You could have someone in the cab turn the wheels back and forth and you get up under there and look, feel the ball joints. You'll notice play if they're loose. At you mileage, you might just go ahead and replace all five links.



I got the thinking about the exhaust install. When I put on the banks monster exhaust on the 01, I didn't have it aligned correctly and in certain circumstances (like the wheels turned a certain way) I had a deep vibration from the exhaust touching the frame. I occurred with the slight frame flex on turning/off chambers. You could have some binding in your new exhaust. Just a thought.

 

[LKuilder]

I got the thinking about the exhaust install. When I put on the banks monster exhaust on the 01, I didn't have it aligned correctly and in certain circumstances (like the wheels turned a certain way) I had a deep vibration from the exhaust touching the frame. I occurred with the slight frame flex on turning/off chambers. You could have some binding in your new exhaust. Just a thought.

Thanks, I believe I may have found my problem. Looked one more time through the whole exhaust system and I found a place where I think its hitting at the transmission crossmember. Adjusted it a little bit today and it made it better at some times but even worse in other angles so I'm pretty sure its probably the exhaust. Makes sense because I haven't changed anything else on the truck. I'll take some more time and get it adjusted better so its further away from the crossmember and see what that does. Hopefully it does the trick!