Not really on topic of the recent posts, but when I replaced the bushings for the front diff, that cut down on the thunk considerable if not completely.
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I have the clunk and have greased u-joints/slip a couple of times now, as the first time I greased them, the clunk seemed to go away but came back shortly after each time. Maybe I was overly optimistic in thinking that the greasing actually stopped it and wonder now if it is the drive flange(s).
The brakes need to be done and have finally received all the parts and will be pretty much replacing everything ( rotors, pads, bearings, races etc) except for the drive flanges and CV joints so now i am wondering if these need to be ordered before I start the tear down. Waiting on the weather to warm up above freezing before I tackle this job.
Can I tell if the flange/cv joints are the culprits prior to pulling everything apart: i.e. will raising the front end and slightly rotating the wheels to see if there is play? Or wil that even work since the flange is connected to rotor?
I like to triage problems ahead of time and have the parts on hand when I am embarking on a big job since none of dealers around here seem to have parts in stock when I need them asap.
TIA.
"clunk/thunk" when driving ~35 MPH, let off gas pedal "clunk", than press gas pedal "thunk"
If grease the slip yoke, eliminates or reduce clunk/thunk. Then clunk/thunk returns rather soon, sooner than 5K miles after lubing. The seals are likely past useful life and likely the yoke and shaft splines are also. Try a moly fortified grease. If issue returns, consider propeller shaft (AKA Driveshaft) assembly replacement.
There are a number of test for front drive shaft (AKA CV) axle & hub flange splines:
With engine idling, foot on brake, shift to D-N-R R-N-D. If cluck between shifts, likely FDS & hub splines worn.
Also:
Control arm bushings and motor mounts.Mudders,
I have the classic D-N-R and R-N-D clunk that disappears when I lock the center differential. I have replaced the drive flanges, CVs, and front differential bushings. I have also inspected and greased the driveshafts.
I will be opening the transfer case to install a part time 4WD spool and would like to replace anything else that may be the cause of the clunk.
Does anyone have any idea what may be causing it?
Thanks for the reply! I’ve visually inspected the motor mounts and they look good. Lower control arm bushings looked good when I rebuilt the front end (SPC UCAs, extended travel shocks, CVs, Aisin locking hubs, diff bushings, bearings, etc.) around 150K miles (truck has 163K on it now).Control arm bushings and motor mounts.
Yeah that would have been the first thing I said if the first post hadn’t said the CVs and flanges had already been replaced. Aftermarket CVs?
Wayne, howareyanow, goodnyou?Yup. Lifted. Planned to wheel hard when I was getting laid off in 21 but got another gig two days later, which postponed my dream overland/wheeling trip. Got some decent rock around Fort Worth though.
I went with really beefy aftermarket CVs because they wouldn’t get much use with the CruiserTeq part time 4WD kit. I compared the splines to the OEM CVs I removed (torn boots), and to others online, and they were identical.
I think it may just be the locking hubs. I may throw on some drive flanges next time I pack bearings just to check.
Not s’bad.Wayne, howareyanow, goodnyou?
Shoot, I don't have much experience with the part time kit. I'd like to blame the aftermarket CVs but it sounds like they are beefy enough. So what, 2 year-ish and not too many miles and you're already clunking?
Diff mount and bushes could be part of the clunk you’re chasing. Once they wear out the diff will shift up and down under acceleration and actually hit the bash plate underneath. Or your cv drive flanges could be worn as wellMy thunk has gotten to the point where I will spare no expense and go to the ends of the earth to fix. Re-greasing was making it better, but not completely solving it. However the rear was re-greased about two months ago and now it is thunking worse than ever.
About 18 months ago I had the u-joints replaced but that didn't fix it at all. My less than trusty dealer says to replace the driveshafts and some "control arms"? will cost about $1,600.
If I am not completely senseless, the thunk is definitely coming from the rear.
What steps, short of replacing everything, can I take to once and for all fix this very irritating issue?