"clunk" in front end when turning

[jasheehan]

I have been off the forum for a while because of work and because my rig has been running pretty good.

Recently, I've noticed a considerable "clunk" in the front end when turning in either direction. It is just one single clunk, almost like a loose u-joint/drive shaft, but it is up in the front end. It almost sounds like a loose steering linkage. Even with this vague description, does anyone have any recommendations on where to look, and how to check the steering (if that's the problem) for this slop while it's up on blocks or a lift? It occurs more often when I'm turning and going over uneven terrain. I rebuilt the knuckles about 2 years ago, so I don't think that is the problem. Thanks.

 

[Heartworm]

Be sure to check the tie rod ends. Have someone turn the wheel while you look for slop. On troublesome area that I had to deal with was worn splines on the steering shaft. Some years actually had a grease zerk for that but mine (1986) did not so I had to take it apart. There is a write up on it that you could find with the search...search steering clunk. Good luck.

Having said that, if you have OME lift then there is a lot of information on the noises indigenous to that set-up.

 

[High Desert]

Has your steering box started leaking or has it been leaking?

 

[cruiser88]

I assume the lock in lock outs are in the free postion? If so check the

TRE's and for slop in the steering box. Is the box leaking?

Last thing is the trunnion bearings

 

[cruiser88]

oh yea almost forgot....check the steering shaft. They fail occasionally.

 

[augirthedude]

leaf springs????

 

[ProwlerDriver]

i know for a fact mine is the steering stab, that bolt is stripped out. Check that as well.

 

[Devils Paw 80]

leaf springs????

You have OME springs? Check out this thread: https://forum.ih8mud.com/60-series-wagons/201928-arb-dakar-spring-problems.html

 

[BlueCruiser84]

If it still steers normal and drives fine then I would question the spring packs shifting around.

 

[jasheehan]

Thanks for all the advice. Yes, it steers and drives fine. No leaks out of the steering box. I was initially thinking it was the tie rods ends, but it sounds like that might not be the issue. From everyone's comments, it sounds like it is the leaf pack moving around. I'm going to get in there and spray some silicon spray and see if that helps. I do have an OME heavy suspension with 33" BFG's. It is probably time to re-torque my U-bolts as well. Thanks.

 

[bergerob]

Is this where you add grease

I have a clunk in my 87 during bumps and corners.

I will being changing the TRE and rebuild the Steering box.

Is this where you add grease for the shaft (red circle)?

 

[Moby]

i know for a fact mine is the steering stab, that bolt is stripped out. Check that as well.

What is the steering stab?

 

[RockDoc]

You have OME springs? Check out this thread: https://forum.ih8mud.com/60-series-wagons/201928-arb-dakar-spring-problems.html

x2

That was the source of my spring-popping. Changed over to OME bushings, and fixed the sleeves in place, no more issues.

 

[lehiguy]

Polyurethane bushings are notoriously noisy, making abrupt popping sounds when asked to move slightly. Grease is the cure, but it usually only lasts for a while. Greasable shackle pins are probably the best remedy. Make SURE it is not the drag link ends.

 

[RockDoc]

Does it clunk if you turn the wheels while sitting stationary? That should narrow it down to steering or suspension.

 

[Butt Ugly Chuck]

Check out your sway bar links. Mine clunked when they were toast. It's a cheap/easy fix if that's what needs replaced.
Butt

 

[PAFJ]

Does it clunk if you turn the wheels while sitting stationary? That should narrow it down to steering or suspension.

Hey RockDoc, what is the difference?

TIA-

 

[RockDoc]

Hey RockDoc, what is the difference?

TIA-

I had the "OME pop" issues with my truck. The inserts at the eyes of the spring worked loose, and the springs then had some lateral play at the shackle end. The "pop" would happen while taking somewhat sharp corners (like into a driveway) as the weight of the truck transferred, but there was no noise when turning the wheels with the truck while stationary (no weight shift on the suspension).

I would expect that if the issue is in the steering/axle, it would still make noise while the truck is stationary.

 

[Heartworm]

In regard to the diagram posted previously, the area circled in red is not where you put the grease. The steering shaft (perhaps called a stab by some) has a sliding splined joint. It is a male/female sort of thing that allows the length of the shaft to change. Probably helpful in a collision by keeping the steering wheel out of your face. That splined joint is what could stand some grease.

 

[Spook50]

What is the steering stab?

The stabilizer.

lehiguy, I've been running poly bushings for years and you couldn't be more right. The shock bushings are still rubber and the sway bar bushings don't make any noise, but I can easily tell by noise and by the ride quality when my leaf spring bushings need to be lubed. I just recently ordered a set of polygraphite bushings that, due to having graphite impregnated into the polyurethane, are supposed to be "self lubing", so to speak. Got to replace my shackle pins with non-greasable and I'm going to go ahead and put 1.5" extended shackles on there to raise it up just a hair, but hopefully these new bushings will solve any suspension noise issues.

Also, I'm going to replace the poly TRE boots with OEM rubber, since the poly just got all eaten up and doesn't hold any grease against the joint anyway.