LX450 clunking sound when turning way left or right

[BuckCruiser]

I recently purchased a 97 LX450 out of Utah. It looks like the previous owner did plenty of off-roading - including a bent rear drive shaft and some pretty significant cosmetic damage to the front and rear OEM bumpers. All obvious repair work has now been done with the exception of a clunking sound whenever I turn the steering wheel all the way to the left or right - especially first thing in the morning. Steering also takes a bit more effort than I would expect and much more effort than my 97 LC. Rig has a 4-inch lift with larger tires to match. Any suggestions or experience would be greatly appreciated.

 

[brockdeck]

Clunking or clicking? Some clicking makes me think your knuckles could be seaping grease

 

[BuckCruiser]

Clunking or clicking? Some clicking makes me think your knuckles could be seaping grease

Actually, it's usually one big clunk.

 

[jbatx]

Make sure the control arm bolts are torqued to factory spec.... Not just tight.

 

[BILT4ME]

Make sure the PS gear is still bolted tight to the frame and that the frame has not cracked around the steering gear. Especially since it has seen a lot of off-road.

Check Tie Rod Ends
Track Bar Bushings
Drag Link
Steering Shock
Trunnion Bearings
Suspension arm bushings
Sway bar bushings

 

[BuckCruiser]

Make sure the PS gear is still bolted tight to the frame and that the frame has not cracked around the steering gear. Especially since it has seen a lot of off-road.

Check Tie Rod Ends
Track Bar Bushings
Drag Link
Steering Shock
Trunnion Bearings
Suspension arm bushings
Sway bar bushings

thank you for all of your advice. I'm going to get on it tomorrow. In checking it out further it sounds like the noise is coming from the driver side front when the steering wheel is turned all the way to the left you'll hear a clunk or a bang ... and then you'll hear it again and it's you start turning towards the other side

 

[DanMedeiros]

Make sure the control arm bolts are torqued to factory spec.... Not just tight.

I had this exact issue. Drove me crazy and I spent a ton of money chasing the noise. When I installed a new lift, one bolt on the front control arms wasn't as tight as it could be. It needed a freekin ton of torque, like pulling as hard as I could with a breaker bar. No More clank

 

[BuckCruiser]

I had this exact issue. Drove me crazy and I spent a ton of money chasing the noise. When I installed a new lift, one bolt on the front control arms wasn't as tight as it could be. It needed a freekin ton of torque, like pulling as hard as I could with a breaker bar. No More clank

Thank you. I appreciate it. Man I hope that's the problem he is a sounds like an easy - or relatively easy - fix.

 

[shocktower]

I hate ghost noises, the one's you cannot see

 

[Broski]

You should torque the-bolt not the nut the nut is serrated to keep it from backing off. If my memory is right they need 120 FPT

 

[inkpot]

You should torque the-bolt not the nut the nut is serrated to keep it from backing off. If my memory is right they need 120 FPT

ALL radius arm, control arm, and pitman arm bolts/nuts torque to 130 #, with the exception of the frame end of the rear panhard goes to 160. If your going to drive an 80, it's best to have a torque wrench, at least a Harbor Freight 1/2" will do OK.

 

[artech]

The clamp on the tie rod end may be hitting something, it needs to be 'clocked' properly. Worth checking anyway.

 

[BuckCruiser]

The clamp on the tie rod end may be hitting something, it needs to be 'clocked' properly. Worth checking anyway.

 

[BuckCruiser]

Thank you very much

 

[mudgudgeon]

Sounds like cracked frame at the steering box should be high on your list of things to check out, and trunion bearings