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Front suspension problems

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Old 11-21-2008 | 11:34 PM
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Front suspension problems

When I go over bumps every once in a while I get a clunking under the drivers side floorboard and then sometimes it will feel and sound like I am going over rumble strips but i am not. Any ideas? Any help would be awesome. I'm thinking maybe the shocks are bad. I just had my trac bar, lower control arms and u joints replaced.
Old 11-22-2008 | 12:12 AM
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Most likely a loose lower shock mount. These things have to be gorilla tight!

Might also check tie rod ends, ball joints and the list can go on and on.

Dave
Old 11-22-2008 | 12:23 AM
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I had the entire front end checked and was told everything was good. I also had them make sure the lower shock mounts were tightened to specs. However I have only replaced the shocks once
Old 11-22-2008 | 01:53 AM
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Double check the lower mounts. The torque spec will result in lots of shock movement! I can't tell you how many trucks I have "fixed" in fifteen minutes with a breaker bar with a cheater and all the lead in my rear end exerted on a couple of bolts.

But then again, it may not be the case.

Dave
Old 11-22-2008 | 04:12 PM
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Chech the steering shaft. If it gets a lot of play in it, you will hear clunking/popping sounds. If it is loose, you can wedge a couple zip ties in it.
Old 11-22-2008 | 05:29 PM
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Try lookin at the sway bar end links. I had a noise in mine for 3 years and couldn't see a thing, then one day I was under the truck and got a bit of a bounce out of her. I could see a lot of movement in the ball part.
That might not be your trouble though but they will clunk..
Old 11-22-2008 | 05:33 PM
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I agree with fishing.. the lower bolts take alot, use a screwdriver/prybar to try to lift up on the body of the shock down near the mounting bolt, if it moves when you pry up...its still too loose,
Old 11-25-2008 | 08:51 PM
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I just got back from a trip and I was able to determine when exactly it happens. For instance on the freeway whenever I hit a lip in the road surface like a bridge or over pass I will get the vibration and noise and it seems to stop if i hit another bump. It never happens on a smooth road and then last night when I drove over rumble strips i got the noise and it went away as soon as I hit the next rumble strip. This help at all?
Old 11-25-2008 | 11:33 PM
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i'm with the shock theory.... my upper shock grommets wore out on the drivers side and made the noise you describe. also the upper ball joint was bad
Old 11-26-2008 | 08:52 AM
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Is it just the lower front shock mounts that do this? Seems hard to get the top mounts any sorta tight without stripping the top bolt thingy....
Old 11-26-2008 | 08:59 AM
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Check the upper and lower control arm bushings. Have someone engauge fwd/rev and watch to make sure the axle does not rotate fwd or backwards. Pretty easy to replace and about $70.
Old 11-26-2008 | 10:24 AM
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Mine was my sway bar end links
Old 11-26-2008 | 03:33 PM
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Bushings the cuase?

Originally Posted by high bid
Check the upper and lower control arm bushings. Have someone engauge fwd/rev and watch to make sure the axle does not rotate fwd or backwards. Pretty easy to replace and about $70.
Can you explain how the bushing causes this. I have this noise and the axle does rotate. I don't understand how a bushing would be the cause.
Old 11-26-2008 | 03:46 PM
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Originally Posted by sheriffav8r
Is it just the lower front shock mounts that do this? Seems hard to get the top mounts any sorta tight without stripping the top bolt thingy....
Yes.

Dave
Old 11-26-2008 | 04:00 PM
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I would see how tight the lower bolt is. Mine fell out and that was the source of the noise, for my ride. Is the rest of the front end stock? You might want to check the end links on the sway bar as they are over looked. Have you check for any worn ball joints/track bar movement?


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