Noise in front end

[DPKetchum]

Well time for a new/old post and see if any success. I have a klunk in front seems left front at slow to moderate speeds. Like going slow over uneven asphalt. At times louder then others. Going down my driveway it klunk/klunks fairly fast like the when tire moves up and down slightly. Seems in 30 and low 40 degree temps its almost not there. Warmer like now it's constant. Has new shocks(did before and after). I can rock truck(not easily)from side to side and my dear SWEET wife says best she can tell by feeling around that when it clunks can feel it in lower radiator support area. Of couse she can't rock it for me to feel. I tried two differant front end shops and neither one wanted to look or work on it. One shop said WELL it must be in you DIFF?He did'nt drive it or hear it. Then he mentioned that this is kinda a FOXXX OR CHEXX town!He did use a floor jack and a pry bar and said ball joints were ok?I've looked at bushings,sway links,steering box adapter etc. Sounds like a auto with the big rubber bushing plate worn out on the top of a strut assembly.

 

[JStoll]

go over bumps to produce the noise if you know a place that the noise happens try it while hitting the brakes if the noise is greatly reduced it may be pad or caliper noise (grab the calipers & try to wigle them with the truck on the ground or kick the wheel & listen for pad like noise) also check all your spring bushings

thats about all I got for now

JAK

 

[BushWakr - RIP]

Ya, I kinda suspect the caliper as one possiblilty. Also, on my brothers 92 he discovered that the rubber cab mounts were shot.

That fixed his problem with clunking.

Are the bushing in the front leafs ok??? They can get punched out of round and end up being sloppy. If so, do not use the urethane bushings. You want original OEM ones because they have metal sleeves which prevent the bolt from crushing the bushing material.

If you've used the jack/pry bar test, you can usually rule out front end issues.

Wheel bearings secure? Worn out?



Any other thoughts here guys????



bob.

 

[DPKetchum]

Thanks for reply. I recently lubed everything with wd 40 just trying to see if it would lessen the noise. In real cold temps its not there. I have inspected by eye everything several times. Need to relook at spring bushings and cab mounts. I'm trying to borrow??Or use a set of chassis ears. Was just curious if any body else had run into this type noise. Braking dosen't seem to matter and as i mentioned once it starts doing it i can rock it side to side and wife says its obvious in the lower radiator support. I stared at it real good when radiator was out two weeks ago. Did'nt see anything. I think its transmitting from some were. Really need to be able to rock it and someone other then wife under it trying to track it down.

 

[rwinslow]

Check your front axle u-joints. Unfortunately the only truly effective way to check them is to pull the front wheel assembly apart until you can hang onto the stub shaft and check to see if the differential is truly free to move in all directions. I had several front end shops and one dealership tell me that these u-joints were OK, etc. I fought strange noises, occasionally unruly steering, etc. for several months before taking the plunge.



The truck acts like it is brand new again with these front axle u-joints replaced. The front axle geometry on these units is such that if the axle u-joints are not completely free, the front end will not respond correctly. I think a lot of the older higher mileage trucks experience this problem and it is not readily recognized.



Make sure that you put in the greasable u-joints. And, you will find that unless you have a press, take the pieces and parts to a good drive line shop for much less aggravation



One other suggestion - check your tie rod ends. They will clunk when it is warm but not when it is cold. They are exposed to alot of weather down there so if there are a lot of miles then changing for a new tighter pair might be just the ticket - get a front end alignment after doing the job.

 

[Hutchew]

Maybe.........

Motor mounts?

Or possibly where the steering shaft goes up into the column. Mine made a little bit of racket in that area, along with a little slop in the steering wheel. When I built my truck, I replaced my 85 column with one out of a wrecked 93. Come to find out, there are a couple of little rivets that hold the column together inside the cab down towards the bottom. They shear if you are in a wreck and let the column collapse so you don't harpoon (isn't that such a COOL word? ) yourself. Mine had sheared and the column had collapsed about 3/8". Pulled it all back out and replaced the rivets, tight as can be now.

Look at the rivets holding the crossmember under the core support, also. I have seen quite a few of these get wallowed out, almost always on the drivers side. Have your wife turn the steering wheel back-n-forth while you watch this area, if it's loose, you'll see it.

 

[DPKetchum]

I will check tie rods as soon as its dry out. U joints from front to rear only have about 12,000 miles if that. I lube them on a regular basis. I did a ring and pinion change front and rear and replaced every bearing,seal,u joint including mid shaft bearing etc. About 12,000 miles ago. Today i noticed in light rain its not hardy noticeable have to turn radio off etc. But low speeds uneven asphalt it still klunk klunk from left front. I need to really look at the rubber in spring eyes. Stopped by D. C. dealer near the house and asked if they had any chassis ears. Said he did but were broken and sitting on his desk. Had no idea when he would get new ones. Said had been broken a month and kept meaning to buy new ones. Commented he wasn't'nt even sure were to purchase!He asked me what year model truck and i told him and i got this kinda dropped jaw look!You would think a 1993 is a antique.

 

[DPKetchum]

FOUND THE NOISE! Took it to the CADILLAC dealer:Asked them to diagnosis only. They had chassis ears and a front end man that knew how to use them. Told them i would'nt hold them to the repair if they did'nt want too. Just diagnosis to start with. SPRING EYE BUSHINGS. Their $8. 00 each. Had to order from Mopar of course. Anybody ever replaced them??Simple or a pain?