So @KATOOM wants to know more about my mystery clunk.

 

When unloaded I have a pretty nasty clunk/crash that can be felt in the floor.  Steering doesn't seem to be effected though.   It is directly related to when you unload the front suspesnion.  

 

From the drivers side it feels like it is coming from the passenger side, from the passenger side it doesn't feel as bad.  

 

Before we get into what I have replaced we need to look at the history of my truck, the PO must have broke the front axle as i have a 1994 d60 under the front rather than the 2000 that I was supposed to have on the truck,

 

Things I have replace that made no difference,

 

- ball joints, all of them

- steering assembly, 2x

- control arms 2x, upper and lower with new hardware and welding the caster adjuster in place, now have adjustable control arms due to that.

- control arm bushings 3x

- body mounts,

- sway bar mounts and bushings

- sway bar end links front and back.

- wheel bearings

- shocks 2x 

- track bar 3x

 

 

Things I am wondering about still,

 

Motor mounts, doesn't happen when I get on the skinny pedal though.

ovaled out body mounts for the control arms.

 

 

So who has the magic answer to my clunk?  I rightly dont care anymore. after 4 years of the clunk I just couldn't be bothered to fix it lol.

 

Edited October 19, 20168 yr by Me78569

Too add to this, I feel like it is mostly on the passenger front side.  

 

It seems to be fine some days and worst others.  

 

 

the truck seems to "side step" on really rough bumps where the clunk is worst.  

 

 

compared to @CSM truck my steering is also much less stiff, but I also don't have a dampener

Edited November 23, 20168 yr by Me78569

I'm sure its been said already but make doubly sure that the bottom bolt for the track bar is freaking tight otherwise it will cause a clunk.....

I really need to get my air tools setup so I can use a stupid impact wrench to tighten all the cointrols arms etc.  

3 hours ago, Me78569 said:

Too add to this, I feel like it is mostly on the passenger front side.  

 

It seems to be fine some days and worst others.  

 

 

the truck seems to "side step" on really rough bumps where the clunk is worst.  

 

 

compared to @CSM truck my steering is also much less stiff, but I also don't have a dampener

 

I am not currently running a dampener either.  

6 hours ago, Me78569 said:

Too add to this, I feel like it is mostly on the passenger front side.  

 

It seems to be fine some days and worst others.  

 

 

the truck seems to "side step" on really rough bumps where the clunk is worst.  

 

 

compared to @CSM truck my steering is also much less stiff, but I also don't have a dampener

Damn it ME now I am starting to hear a clunk under my passenger side now. Mostly bumping around on the job. Not so much on the road yet. Everything on my front has got little over 100k on it so maybe I am due for another rebuild. I hope I can blame this on you.

Well to add another chapter, I did go ahead and replace ball joints again.  

 

My uppers did have a touch of play in them. I wouldn't consider them bad, but hte alighnment shop did.

 

Same clunk however.  

 

I am getting tools together to retighten every bolt under the front end.   seems like the clunk is always while the susepsnsion is unloading rather than when it compressing.  

 

 

 

Edited December 16, 20168 yr by Me78569

Thanks for the update.

Shocks aren't too short are they/ I would just pop them out and drive it for a day just as a quick experiment.

At this point, i think you have a joint of some sort that has wallowed out its hole and slips. 

I had a clunk within a week of the entire front end rebuilt. Some built with better aftermarket parts. I told Source Automotive about it and they immediately went to the lower end connection at the differential and retightened the New Track bar with an impact wrench. Clunk went away and never came back. They say it has to be really tight at that point.

 

Hope this helps.

Edited December 16, 20168 yr by JAG1

When I installed my ball joints, Moog, their add and many others said the uppers would have some up and down movement. They said nothing about the lowers. I would think that there would have to some give in one of them to make up for differences in the associated parts they joinl

 I never noticed a clunk in mine until I put the cheap Monroe shocks on mine. After replacing my front u joints the clunk seemed to go away but it is returning. I am leaning towards shocks on mine.

I've had no clunk Dripley for 3 years now. Hauling heavy front end wearing loads with the truck camper

 

In fact I only had a clunk for a wee while before the front end got rebuilt

 

I don't think it's normal

I dont remember mine ever having a clunk until a little over a year ago after replacing the front shocks. Might be off on the time but even just before I rebuilt my front end I never heard a clunk. The clunk is only recent to mine so not sure what the cause is.

  So rasberry to you, ya stick pokin monkey!!!!!!!!!!!!

I hope you did not take it serious Dave... I guess I came across wrong cause I was trying to be funny after having a drink, I was flyin' a little high.

 

7 hours ago, JAG1 said:

I had a clunk within a week of the entire front end rebuilt. Some built with better aftermarket parts. I told Source Automotive about it and they immediately went to the lower end connection at the differential and retightened the New Track bar with an impact wrench. Clunk went away and never came back. They say it has to be really tight at that point.

 

Hope this helps.

that's the next thing on my list to try.  I can only put so much torque on it with the limited room to rotate.

Source used a big cordless impact wrench. The battery was weak but it got it to turn.

 

I remember you could put an eye or ear to it under there while someone bounced the truck and you still could not find it but they went right to that track bar and it got it.

Just thought here. Maybe take the rear shocks loose at the rear axle so they can't dampen the movement as much...get under the front end while a buddy or two get the back bouncing to unload the front  

8 hours ago, JAG1 said:

I hope you did not take it serious Dave... I guess I came across wrong cause I was trying to be funny after having a drink, I was flyin' a little high.

 

I did not. by any means. I too was into a twelve pack after the drive home and no insult was taken nor did I think one was implied. I was looking for a new emoticon and just made up the stick poking monkey thing. All in fun my friend. That was how I meant my response and took yours.

 

I'm very glad. Now I know I got me a real bud to kid with. I was feelin pretty good after a double Canadian Club

 

Definition of a Canadian Club....