2nd Gen Non-Engine/Transmission knocking noise in front end

[cmills]

I have some sort of knocking noise in the front end when I turn sometimes, I can't really describe it but I can actually feel it, I can feel it under the drivers floorboard, kind of like a thud. I have no idea what it is, any ideas?

 

[PPettit]

I am hoping I just solved this on my '01. I have been thru various things that seemed to make the problem go away only to have it re-surface later. I first made it disappear by replacing my shocks. I think the front shock bushings were shot as were the stock shocks with over 80k on them. I then found the bolts on my tie rod assembly for the aadjuster sleeve were turned so they could contact the front crosmember. And last and I hope most importantly I just replaced the axle end bushing on the track bar. I found the bolt loose and tightening it seemed to get rid of the clunk but I decided to replace the bushing anyhow. I had previously installed a Lukes Link on the frame end of the track bar so the loose bolt on the other end was my own fault. Hope tthis helps at least to give you some things to check.



Phil

 

[cmills]

noise

Thanks Phil, I will definitely check the things you mentioned because I just can't figure it out. Anybody else have any ideas because I will try to check tomorrow.

 

[The Red Goat]

this sounds like what my truck is doing. It only does it when I turn to the right. I sure hope it is something easy to fix.

 

[cmills]

turning right

Now that you mention it I think that is the only time mine does it, if it does it turning left it isn't very often, I'm with you, I hope it is pretty easy to fix and isn't expensive, I haven't had a chance to check the things that phil mentioned yet, and if it isn't one of those I don't know what else to check

 

[JAmos]

You guys might check the sway bar links that connect the axle to the bar. Mine were so worn out that the noise stopped because they fell apart. But the symptom I had was a pop/bang/clunk-whatever you want to call it when I turned. It was only when turning one direction but cant remember which. Jordan

 

[cmills]

sway bar

by sway bar you mean the two bars on each side that go back to the frame, not the track bar that goes from the axle to the frame right. How do you check them? By the way I checked mine and it does do it turning to the left and right.

 

[The Red Goat]

anyone else have any suggestions

 

[cmills]

checked

I got under mine and looked at mine and couldn't really see anything that looked too bad considering the truck has 200,000 miles on it

 

[JAmos]

cmills-yes that is correct. The sway bar is U-shaped and the center mounts to the frame, while the ends mount to the axle via a link on each side. As I said earlier mine were so worn out that one side fell apart-the dealership didnt notice this when they did an inspection!! This may not be your problem but it worked on mine. As far as inspection, I suppose it should be the same as any other tie rod or ball and socket type joint. If play in the joint seems excessive, time to change them. Jordan

 

[AWray]

cmills, if your truck is 4wd, check the u-joints on the front axles. If they are originals, they are a non-greaseable joint that eventually fails. Look for a rusty powder on the joint. I had a '97 4x4 gasser make a clunking noise when turning and that was the problem. When I changed the right side, I should have done the left as well. It failed within 10k after the right side.



Good luck,

Aaron

 

[storm'in]

Front End Clunk

Check your trans. crossmember bolts. Mine were loose, causing the CLUNK noise. Good Luck- Dave

 

[cmills]

thanks

thanks guys, I'll check tonight and let you know what I find



Cory

 

[cmills]

I checked

I checked the transmission crossmember, sway bars, and the front axle u-joints and all seemed to be ok. Now what?

 

[TMills]

I had someone bounce the front of the truck while I was under it and found that the lower shock bushing was bad. You might try that. Does it seem like a suspension clunk(feel it when you hit a bump) or steering clunk(experiencing wandering, pulling, or just felt when turning)?

 

[kdcrockett]

This has been mentioned previously but I thought I would bring it up again since I've had the same problem. I have a 95 4X4 and it had a noise coming from the front end for years. I could never decide if I actually heard the noise or assumed there was a noise associated with the "clunk" I felt in my feet. On this site I learned that the Rams had some problems with bolt diameters for the lower shock mounting bolts. Sure enough, when I removed the lower mounting bolts I found the problem. The "clunk"/noise had become progressively worse through the years and the condition of the mounting bolts told the story. The bolts are threaded throughout their length and the portion of bolt inside the shock bushing had the threads completely worn away. Replacing the shocks, the bushing area was distorted, and mounting bolts solved the problem.

 

[cmills]

clunk

I have the same feeling, I'm not sure if I hear it or if I am also just thinking there is a noise. (I know, it sounds weird). I'll try to have someone bounce it up and down tomorrow and see if I can see some movement on the lower shock bolts.

 

[cmills]

checked again

I went out and bounced the truck up and down and could not see anything wrong with the lower shock bolts, no movement or anything.

 

[kdcrockett]

Even though mine were severely worn, I couldn't produce any movement with the bounce check. You might want to loosen one of the bolts and remove it enough to get a look at the threads. As long as your bolts aren't too corroded it should be a pretty easy check.

 

[cmills]

thanks, I'll give that a try as soon as I can and see what happens.