2nd Gen Non-Engine/Transmission Right Front End Driving Me Nuts!!!

[Joe Mc]

Since I purchased with 75 k (presently 142) I had this problem. If you are sitting in the front passenger seat with feet flat on the floor you feel a light thumping on the floor, more so in the center front to rear of the floor pan. finally though I got it when I put a pipe under the wheel and wiggled up & down. The bottom ball joint was moving way too much. After replacing top and bottom joints and having realignment done. Still there :{ WTF could it be? The axel u-joints have no play at all, the steering end joints all have equal play up & down about 1/8" or so (both sides). It almost feels as if it's a balancing issue. Only it's there at all speeds, new tires, new wheels and balance beads. Could a bad shock be the problem? I've never seen any oil on any of the shocks and to think the one was bad from the time I got it until now is possible but, not probable



Now, I haven't mentioned that it was in a r/f hit prior to purchase. I don't know how bad because I never saw it wrecked. There were no bent frame perches or other mounts and the body only received superficial damage. I think the brunt of the impact was taken in the r/f wheel because, it had a new rotor and caliper on the r/f only and the upper & lower ball joints were not factory as they had zerks. It tracks straight and aligns well. So, I'm wondering also about the radius arm bushings??? The arms are as straight and un bent as the left side and the play in the bushings, comparing left and right sides, are comparable. I put a pry bar on them top & bottom, side to side all 4 bushings each side.



Any ideas???

 

[RussW1911]

I had the same question and posted it. Ended up being a loose lower shock bolt. I am glad it was that simple. Hopefully yours is too.

 

[Joe Mc]

Russ - You know I never checked that - Duh! As much as I've heard people talk about shocks and their installation problems here, I've looked at them and can't figure out why so many folks have problems? The installation looks straight forward to me, however, I never checked them to see if they were loose. Double Duh! I didn't install them - previous owner did - it's beein doing it ever since I bought it . . .



Thanks for the tip. I 'll get back and post findings tomorrow.

 

[JJ Jackson]

I had the same problem , so I replaced the shocks because the bottom rubber grommets where all worn out.



When I put the new Ranchos on I had the same clunk, so I initially thought that wasn't the problem after all. But on further inspection the sleeves in the eye of the shock were a little bigger than the stock bolts, which caused that annoying clunk.



So I just cranked down hard on the bolts till the shock flanges pinched the sleeves so tight they couldn't move.



Problem solved!!! good luck... ... ... Jim

 

[Cummins Thunder]

Has to be your 4" exhaust...



My MBRP used to hit the floor/firewall just like that.

 

[Joe Mc]

Here we are!

So it was the lower shock bolt. It was so tight I had to use a breaker bar to get it loose, then my elec impact to spin off. Cleaned it up a bit and ran it through the nut and back a few times then reinstalled. I used a cheater pipe to torque the pi$$ out of it to the point I though it was going to pop. The shock still moves in the grommet a bit but, the steel bushing is pinched between the mounting ears. I'll be doing new Bilstiens when the leveling spacers arrive, so I'll be getting two new bottom bolts for each side prior to the install.



Note the ridge the steel sleeve wore into the bolt from more than 4 years and 65k+ miles of road. Pretty tough bolt, eh?



Thanks to all!

 

[RussW1911]

Awesome, Glad it worked out for you.....



I was coming back from a long road trip hunting a while back and had my buddy drive for a while the thumping was driving me nuts. Got on here and got the same info I gave you. Glad it worked out for you.



Russ

 

[DPelzl]

I had the same problem, you are right it drives you nuts. I had a buddy ride around with me a listen while i looked for pot holes. I replaced the shocks and problem solved.

 

[biggy238]

Is the shock attachment, or lack thereof, capable of letting the front end bounce predictably at highway speed? I have a vibration and wondered if new shocks would kill it, as nothing else has.

 

[Baron]

I have somewhat the same problem as my left front took a hit previous to my ownership. Now at times when I hit the brakes the left front end lurches and bounces up and down almost uncontrolably. Inspected everything under there and not sign of what might be causing this. Have replaced the rotor already and the abs proportion valve in the rear frame. Any ideas?

 

[Reno Guy]

I never had the clunk, however I need to replace my front shocks I think. I hit a pot hole at about 45 MPH. The right front tire started to jump up and down like a basketball. Truck shook so bad I couldn't get a hold of the stickshift. I thought the doors were going to fly off before I could jump on the clutch and brake pedals. Sure gets your attention in a hurry!!

 

[JJ Jackson]

So it was the lower shock bolt. It was so tight I had to use a breaker bar to get it loose, then my elec impact to spin off. Cleaned it up a bit and ran it through the nut and back a few times then reinstalled. I used a cheater pipe to torque the pi$$ out of it to the point I though it was going to pop. The shock still moves in the grommet a bit but, the steel bushing is pinched between the mounting ears. I'll be doing new Bilstiens when the leveling spacers arrive, so I'll be getting two new bottom bolts for each side prior to the install.



Note the ridge the steel sleeve wore into the bolt from more than 4 years and 65k+ miles of road. Pretty tough bolt, eh?



Thanks to all!

Hey Joe, doesn't it make you wonder how you can spend $80. 00 for a shock that doesn't include a new bolt that actually fits the sleeve?..... Jim

 

[Joe Mc]

Great American way - Jim. I know what you mean especially when they're like $5 from the dealer. By the way the leveling spacers and Bilseins are in. Rides like a nice tight new truck. Only thing the Bilsteins seemed kind of wimpy compared to the Monroes that came off. The top stud on the fronts were much smaller than the Monroes, but it rides sooooo sweet now w/new tires and no more klunking.