One problem right after the other

[sparks57]

Man, now something else is up. I was driving up in the hills today, and now that I'm back in town, every time I go to make a turn, there is this "clunk" noise when the truck starts to turn.



My steering bracket better not be cracked again. It's dark so I can't check. Any ideas?

 

[dpuckett]

Originally posted by CB_Parker

It's dark so I can't check. Any ideas?

Yeah, get a flashlight. Seriously, do you have a limited slip? Tag on the diff cover should read "3. 54 LS" along with the codes for a R&P kit, if you have one. Does it get worse as the turn gets shsrper? I had one that roasted the clutches- I didnt know about limited slips and additives; I ust changed the fluid when I did brakes becasue it smelled burnt- and it would make a clacking/ clunking noise around curves. CLuthces were GONE, locked into a spool, and the axle shaft itself was slipping in the end gears.



When you recover form your heart attack I just gave ya, check your ball joints, tie rod ends, etc. If the gearbox is loose on the frame, get some Loctite on it to help keep the bolts where they should be. More ideas... ... . ? None for now.



Daniel

 

[sparks57]

Ok, went out and checked. No LS, steering box seems firm. Still need to check the front end components.



The only thing that might also have contributed was that my hubs were in (they were frozen into the locked position because I drove across a small creek).



I'm going to drive it and see what happens now.



Thanks Daniel.

 

[dpuckett]

Yup, hubs being locked in will make for some strange noises and feelings sometimes. Unlock them and report back to us. How'd finals go? Any study partners from the Greek side?



Daniel

 

[sparks57]

Finals went well! And no, no greek study partners...



Anyways, the hubs are out today, and it clunked once, I think.



It's funny though, because it's never done that before.



I'll keep driving it and see what's up.



Thank!

 

[J DeMaio]

Chris:



Check the u-joints in the front and rear driveshafts. Also check for wore ones in the front axle.



John

 

[sparks57]

That could very well be the culprit. I have an annoying squeek under my truck that sounds like a u-joint... it's intermittent though.



Tomorrow morning I'll drop the drivelines and check it out. I know some people say you don't have to do that, but I am much more able to tell which joints are going out when the lines are off.

 

[AlK]

My brothers frod was also squeeking underneath and it turned out to be a bad u-joint.

---

Al

 

[hdm48]

Chris, I have the same noise. But I get the "double" clunk when I turn, and only when it's raining. What I have found it to be is the front springs moving from side to side in the hangers.

Someday, I will take the time to pull the hangers and replace the bushings.





Dave

 

[woodsrat]

clunk

jack it up and check the front bearings mine made a clunk when turning and the pass. side bearing was out.

 

[BushWakr - RIP]

Hey Dave may be onto something here... my brother's 92 did the same thing... we did doughnuts in the parking lot till we near yacked... . finally turned out to be the spring eye bushings were shot... . worked for him...



bob.

 

[914x4ctd]

cb parker,

Check the the shackle bushings at the rear of the front springs. I have had clunking noises come from the shackles whenI make a turn at low speeds. My other Dodge did that aslo and so did my Chevy. I think that all leaf sprung front ends start making noise after a hundred or so thousand miles. My . 02 worth. good luck

 

[sparks57]

Thanks guys.



It hasn't done it since, so maybe it was just a fluke. I think I still have a front u-joint going out though...

 

[914x4ctd]

I have 205,000 miles at this time and I just changed my front u joints. They were shot. They spit the needles out of them at 200,000 miles in 4lo on a tight turn on a steep rocky road. Once this happens you will hear a slight knock when turning even with the hubs in the free position.

 

[sparks57]

I have 205k miles right now too. I bet the front u-joints are shot. I'll check them out today.

 

[PPeters]

Hey CB, if you're gonna R&R your front U's, not a bad time to look at the other items from the spindle out. Stub shaft bearing, inner and outer hub bearings, the locking hubs, check the kingpins. I did a rebuild of my front end about 5K ago when doing universal joints. Cost of parts was about $140, but that did everything from the kingpins (upper and lower) out. Like my buddy tells me... "I'm good at spending YOUR money" The main reason I did it was you got to tear most of it apart anyway to get at the u joint. Just save up your beer money for a couple weeks...



Pat