2nd Gen Non-Engine/Transmission I'm at a loss for words

[AFoulk]

I'm so angry I don't know what to even say anymore. I've been getting a really bad clunk in my steering wheel for awhile and its getting really bad now. So far I've replaced all balljoints, tie rod end at the steering box and the pass. side wheel, both front axle u-joints, added a DSS, and intalled a SolidSteel adjustable 3rd gen. trackbar and bracket. The balljoints and outer tie rod end I had to replace twice because the originals wore out in under 3500miles. Those items I got from Napa and was supposedly their premium stuff. So replaced the stuff again (napa gave me new stuff at no cost). I know it needs a steering shaft yet, possibly a lower columb bushing, but I don't quite have the funds yet. Anyways, had my buddy start the truck up and work my wheel back and forth tonight, and low and behold, that outer tierod end is shot again... . I just can't keep grease in it. It keeps pushing it out the seal, and I even drilled a hole in the bottom and put a grease fitting in it. It probably only has 1000-1500miles on it and it has a ton of up and down play in it. And I also noticed atleast 1/8" or more deflection in the trackbar bushings while he was working the wheel back and forth. When I installed them in the bar (they came with it, but not installed) they seemed pretty hard, like they were polyurethane or almost like plastic, definately weren't rubber. How much should these things move? The one on the frame end definately seems to move more than the one at the axle. I only installed that thing about 2 weeks ago. So, does anyone know who I should try for getting another tierod end this time, and is there a problem with my trackbar bushings?

 

[rotohead]

So, I don't know if you're upset that the clunk in the SW is still there after all this work, or if you're upset that some new parts haven't lasted very long and need to know about better parts. I feel for you because I've gone thru it too although not as bad as you. Can't believe a 3rd gen track bar adapter bushings would go bad that quick. Don't here that very often if ever. Makes me wonder the kind of driving you're doing. Mostly hiway?... . off road?... more info. I think most success from this site for you is going to come from more info from you. Good luck. .
Chuck

 

[tgordon]

The new ends that you got are probably Moog. I have some on my 97 that have actually lasted for a while.



If your replacments are OEM style try this guyhttp://www.lukeslink.com/ Any of mine that are not Moog I have his rebuild ends on and they are great, I even accidently poped apart a Moog one and installed the end and have not had problems with it yet, but they do not recomend that. I also saw where a gentelman installed HEIM ends on a bar and made his own tie rods from scratch, I cannot remember who it was right now but he said they worked great.



Can you feel it in the floor biards at all? If so it coule be the trailing? arm bushings. (The arms that push the axle from the frame) Just another idea of where to look.



Troy

 

[tgordon]

I found his pictures, his screen name is JGheen and he would be able to give you more detail of what he did.



I tried to place a picture here, but here is a link to his pics, and you can look and see what he has done.



https://www.turbodieselregister.com/user_gallery/displaygallery.php?userid=19377

Troy

 

[AFoulk]

well, most of my driving is city driving. I don't drive like a maniac, usually nice, easy, and smooth... . trying to get the best fuel mileage I can outta this thing right now. So, its not like I'm hard on the thing... never take it off road or anything. I'm mainly upset that I have no luck with parts holding up. I know the clunk in the columb will get fixed in time, its just a matter of coming up with the money to get the stuff and then fix it. I'm just getting tired of replacing the same stuff over and over again.

tgordon, thanks, I don't know why, but I didn't even give the lukeslinks a thought. Atleast that way I wouldn't have to get the front end aligned all over again (just had that done last week).

 

[AFoulk]

also, I've had several people suggest to me that the clunk could be the control arm bushings as well. How do I check them? Visually, they look ok.