Faint "clunk" or "thump" noise a low speed

[atijerino]

Lately I have been noticing a faint "clunck" or "thump" noise coming from front lower area at very low speed or when about to stop. The noise is not a "click" and it is not consistent or repeatable on demand, it just happens when the truck feels like it. I could probable pintpoint it to the right passenger side, but not 100% sure.
Is this another of the many "issues" that seem to add character to our 80's?
Should I be worried?
It looks like something very difficult to track down and find root cause. Just checking to see if anyone else other than me has noticed this symptom in their trucks.

Thanks,


_____________________
Antonio
1994 FZJ80

 

[onesprung60]

Mine had a similar clunk when I bought it. Replaced the sway bar bushings and it was gone, chances are if you look at them they are pretty trashed.

 

[stuck in GA]

Yeah mine has the same thing. It's annoying as crap and Urban Landcruiser couldn't figure out the problem either.

 

[Rookie2]

Jerk on the ends of the shock to make sure they aren't loose.


Rookie2

 

[bushpig]

I would look at the rear and front leading arm bushes, as well as the stabilizer bar bushes, you might find one or two of these shot.
Good luck

 

[atijerino]

I would look at the rear and front leading arm bushes, as well as the stabilizer bar bushes, you might find one or two of these shot.
Good luck

Got under the truck last nite and I can see the bushings of the stabilizer bar giving just a bit. The problem is that the noise feels more like rolling noise, it sounds adn feels more like when you have a big peeble stuck in one of the tires or like the pulsating of the ABS when you try to stop on a wet road.
My concern is that it could be as bad as a birfield, I just did the birf job a month ago and they looked very solid and clean, but I did not take the cages apart, I just cleaned them very well and repack them, I hope this is not the case, because that was a vey long and messy job.

Thanks for the pointers.

__________________
Antonio
1994 FZJ80

 

[bushpig]

One more thing Antonio, after a 200 mile trip over a non existing track through the bush in Zimbabwe,
I heard what sounded like a stone stuck between the front disc shield and the disc. Also only now and then. Couldn't find anything and finally got a mate to sit on the front with the hood open while I crawled along over some mild rocks.
Took about 5 minutes before he shouted, "got it!"
He saw that the right front shock was moving up a helluva lot more than it should, and thought that the shock was broken.
However, on close inspection we found that the bottom shock rubber (under the tower) had been knocked out.
So, while everything looked normal from the top, every now and then the top of the shock body would hit the bottom of the shock tower, sometimes hard, sometimes soft----thump, click etc.
Just in case---------check it out.

Lots of luck,
Bushpig
94'HDJ80 1HD-T

 

[atijerino]

Bushpig,

Thanks for the words of wisdom. I will get under my truck this weekend and see if there are any loose parts, joints, boots, anything.
I have another thread in IH8MUD where I asked about a whinning noise coming from the front. After reading this and other threads I am starting to think that there maybe a relation between these two symptoms.
The whinning happens when applying torque (pressing accelerator) at speeds higher than 25 Mph and the "thumps/clunck" noises only happens at speeds lower than 25 mph when applying torque. I am suspection a pinion bearing or worn out u-joints.
I changed the fluids all around with syntetics with the hope this would easy the problem, but it may be too late.

Thanks again,

_________________________
1994 FZJ80

 

[snowwolfwarrior]

Do a search on my threads, it may be the drive shaft "dunk" noise, nothing to worry about

 

[atijerino]

Snowwolfwarrior:

I think you hit the nail on the head. I looked in your thread https://forum.ih8mud.com/showthread.php?t=29716
and I am positive that is exactly what is happening, I think I was a little overzealous the last time I had the grease gun in my hands. I will try the recommendations from your thread and report.

Thanks,

_______________________
Antonio
1994 FZJ80