Front end clunk or rattle - Diesel Forum

Soaggydogg · 10-03-2006, 07:58 PM

My new to me 2002 Ex 4wd,7.3L, bilsteins, V codes, 94k limited has a clunk or rattle in the front end. It does it driving slow/fast on fairly smooth roads. You have hear it faintly and feel it through the floor. It is a faint noise but I know it doesn't belong.

I took the sway bar off and it did it. I put it back on and tightened the u-bolts for leaf springs. I checked the ball joints and they look good. 305's with stock steer dampner I am going to order a Rancho one unless I find something better. I need the driver to turn wheel so I can check the steering linkage.

Your thoughts?

Thanks,
Ben

Mudraga · 10-04-2006, 10:55 AM

Looks like you've checked everything but the track bar and body mounts. Give those a try.

Soaggydogg · 10-04-2006, 03:41 PM

Trackbar is the bar from axle to frame but how do I check it? I will grab it and look for a wiggle but anything more than that?

Can I take it off and drive around the block? That would definately eliminate it.

I checked the drivers floor bolt and drivers core support bolt but not the pass. They were plenty tight.

Mudraga · 10-04-2006, 09:17 PM

Taking off the track bar and driving is probably not a good idea. It helps to locate the axle. I grabbed mine while laying under the truck, pulled my weight up on it and then played monkey. It was moving around. If it is loose, you can probably also see it move by having someone turn the sterring wheel about a 1/4 turn left then 1/2 turn right, then back to left again.

1jay1212 · 10-05-2006, 06:34 PM

If you run out of things to check, look at the unit bearings. My right one went out about a year ago. When I was driving down the road I would feel/hear a rattle noise for a couple seconds then it was gone. Kinda like hitting a rumble strip. Didn't really suspect the bearing at first but that was definately my problem.

mmsafd · 10-08-2006, 11:24 PM

Hey there Ben. Glad to see you picked up that X. Looks great. Other than your front end clunk have you ran into any other problems? Maybe try soaking all the spring eye bushings and the spring contact pads with some oil. Both my truck and the X squeak and moan when going over speed bumps and stuff like that. If I spray the bushing area it goes away for awhile.

MotorPsyko · 10-09-2006, 07:31 PM

My X is doing the same thing. I am running 37" BFG's on a DR lift. New ball joints, new axle joints, etc.. and it is still there. I've been looking for this knock for quite some time and it seems the front end is almost new. Maybe I jacked the torque on the ball joint install so I am going to try and break it loose, retorque and see what happens. I know I need to replace the drag link and tie-rod bearings soon. I can't seem to get any movement from the new ball joints, tie-rods or the DR track bar. The drag link does have movement but I don't think the pop is from there. I plan to go to a hiem joint steering system like BULLETPROOF STEERING SYSTEMS and see if I can solve that problem.

Also, my steering is a little jacked too. When I move the steering wheel, the truck makes a bad rattle and grinding type noise. I replaced the stock with a stock steering pump a few months back and that did not seem to help. The belt seems to vibrate or slap when the truck is at idle. Could this be a steering box problem or maybe a hydro-boost problem? Any advice would help on both subjects...

Thanks...

MotorPsyko · 10-09-2006, 07:33 PM

Would a brake master cylinder cause this?

Soaggydogg · 10-09-2006, 08:16 PM

I am almost certain it is the hub bearing assy. I took a prybar and pryed up on the tire and couldn't see any movement in the balljoints. When I grab the wheel and pull up and release and repeat I get a noise and slight movement. I need to read up on that crappy design. I am not sure if I will go with OEM parts or the Dynatrac kit.

At this point I don't know what else it is since I found the horizonta movement in the wheel. It is fairly stock suspension with 305's.

MotorPsyko · 10-09-2006, 08:42 PM

Yeah, I already did the front hubs too. I have to do the hub locks, but that shouldn't be causing this problem.

bjhous · 10-10-2006, 11:21 AM

Mine rattles a little (not as bad as my 05' Tblazer though [img]/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif[/img] I suspect the sway bar link ends, bar bushings themselves, or the track bar bushings as someone previously posted. Both can be checked with a prybar (force rod end look for play). I doubt that it is the unit bearing that is more of a growling grinding that definetly gets worse with speed and is load dependent. So going around a corner loading one way should make it louder etc.

Soaggydogg · 10-13-2006, 09:16 AM

Well I am back to thinking ball joints.

I know it is at the wheel since I can get movement. I am rounding up the parts to do ball joints. If nothing else it will give me greasable ones that will last longer than the sealed ones.

texasquail · 02-11-2007, 10:19 AM

did you ever figure this out? My 2005 does it from second to third...a pop comes from the driver's floor board.

alramsay · 02-14-2007, 06:19 PM

I agree with the balljoints. Mine was the same way. You have to check them loaded and unloaded. Mine moved the smallest amount half way in between. I had a noise like yours especially when stopping from slow speed. Good luck.

garryk6 · 02-14-2007, 10:53 PM

Tex,
I also have a 2005, and I have been told that the noise is the torqueshift trans shifting...
Garry