Front End Clunk and Clank

[theKnifeArtist]

So I've been doing some research on my clunks and clanks.

Not always, but sometimes, more times than not, when reversing out of my parking space and turning the wheel (not full lock steering), i get a clunk. It usually happens when i'm making K turns too, and very rarely taking a turn with slight aggression will do it aswell.

We're talking crawling speed and loading the steering to get this clunk.
From what i read, i should check out my endlinks for tightness and condition.
I'd like to test it jacked up, but it'll only do it if i'm stressing the steering.

Should I be able to move the endlink on its ballsocket? Because I think last time I was down there, I could. Gotta check it.



Another noise i got is the clank.
When hitting bumps, i'm hearing a clank, particularly from the lower front of the vehicle. Lower Ball Joints right?

Any more info, please do tell.
Thanks.

 

[Mk3runner]

check all ball joints for play.. I thinking thats the problem

remember zero play on the balljoints is what you want

 

[Rennat]

my swaybar endlink was off on the one side... crazy how much it helped when i put it back on!

 

[jdemara]

+1 on balljoints. I replaced both my lowers and it fixed my problem 100%. Except now my uppers are gone as well as the bushings! So i need to spend 300 bux for both upper control arms with balljoints and bushings now. Its gettin worse!

 

[suprabad]

Let me point you in a little different direction.

I had this exact problem, and it turned out to be worn brake sliders and brake pins, sounded just like you described.

 

[KicknAsphlt]

Haven't really gotten a good look at the suspension on these cars yet, but I had a problem like that with my truck. On that vehicle, there's a 'dog bone' that runs along the frame rail between the mounting points where the upper control arm meets the frame. There's two studs that that dog bone sits on, and they are what adjust the camber and caster. Well, one of those nuts was loose on the Driver's side, and whenever I backed out and turned the wheel, I'd feel a shift in the front end...loud clunk.... when I applied the brakes -- then, when I straightened the wheel and drove forward, as soon as I tapped my brakes....it'd shift again.

 

[theKnifeArtist]

my swaybar endlink was off on the one side... crazy how much it helped when i put it back on!

the nut backed out completely and fell off??

+1 on balljoints. I replaced both my lowers and it fixed my problem 100%. Except now my uppers are gone as well as the bushings! So i need to spend 300 bux for both upper control arms with balljoints and bushings now. Its gettin worse!

Is it common for the upper joints to go bad?

Let me point you in a little different direction.

I had this exact problem, and it turned out to be worn brake sliders and brake pins, sounded just like you described.

You could be right about this on top of the other possible causes. Sometimes, pretty rarely though, when applying brakes, i do get the same clunking sensation. I thought it was the same problem, but at the same time i ws considering a piston sticking issue or something of that nature, so i guess it can be a slider too.

 

[theKnifeArtist]

so i had my car on the lift the other day and looked at the endlinks. One of them was not moving, and the other can be moved side to side a good amount. What's it supposed to feel like?

 

[Rennat]

on the sway bar? mine dont move at all. lol

check to make sure the endlinks have nuts on them and are tight. i had to use a set of narrow nose vide grips to hold it while i tightened the nuts.

 

[theKnifeArtist]

so i'm ordering lower balljoints.
Is Mevotech reputable for ball joints?
I'd like to buy it all on one site and thats what they got. Otherwise i woulda went to driftmotion.

what should i do about the endlinks?
Can the loose one be just tightened? Without snapping, heh?
Recommend replacement?
If i were to build some, what kind of rod ends would stand up to the elements?

 

[Mk3runner]

look at http://www.grainger.com/Grainger/wwg/start.shtml

they got just want you need to build your own.. either that or buy one of the vendors here setup.. bout the same tho making your own.

whats say 25-30 bucks on parts compared to 100 plus.

somewhere on the forum a few people posted up what all you need from them

 

[Jaychen]

Any write ups on how to build your own?

 

[theKnifeArtist]

Hey when and what kind of noise does a bad tie rod make?

 

[Mk3runner]

my jeep makes a loud chunk when I turn all the way to one side.. you should be able to check play. grab at them and pull it around for movement.

inner tie rods suck... wheel shimmy at certain speeds and when you check have someone turn the steering wheel all the way to see what kinda play you have when the tire maxes out the inner rods should not move if so then replace. long rack or tie rods.

inner tie rods need special tools or a creative mind in some cases. outer tie rods you just hammer off and replace.

I feel I've made no sense... been weird for me.

 

[theKnifeArtist]

ok so heres the cling clang clunkity clank update.

i replaced my front lower ball joints and just did a whole brake job so i know its not a binding caliper. i also backed off and retorqued my front endlink. I also put pieces of nice thick heater hose on my bare steering stops.

Although i feel a difference from all the repairs, i still have this clank noise in steering situations. For some reason, i still think its the endlinks.

The noise seems to occur allot more in grade change situations. Up a driveway turning the wheel or up a swooping hill turning. Doesn't have to be though.

Doing a K turn with this tank? Forget about it, so much clanking. I'm pretty sure its one thing causin that damn noise.


Does this narrow it down at all?

 

[Mk3runner]

well just as long as your front end doesn't come apart... that would suck.. just check everything till your satisfied with how your front end looks.

thats a scary thing to ignore until you know for sure what it is... at least thats how I would see it. like when my lower joints were bad.. you know.

 

[taid79]

ok so heres the cling clang clunkity clank update.

i replaced my front lower ball joints and just did a whole brake job so i know its not a binding caliper. i also backed off and retorqued my front endlink. I also put pieces of nice thick heater hose on my bare steering stops.

Although i feel a difference from all the repairs, i still have this clank noise in steering situations. For some reason, i still think its the endlinks.

The noise seems to occur allot more in grade change situations. Up a driveway turning the wheel or up a swooping hill turning. Doesn't have to be though.

Doing a K turn with this tank? Forget about it, so much clanking. I'm pretty sure its one thing causin that damn noise.


Does this narrow it down at all?

How about the plastic caps that go on the steering knuckle? I recently had a similar issue and it turned out to be these plastic caps on the knuckle.

I don't know what the correct name is but I put some grease on that bolt and the noise went away, so then when I looked at the parts catalog and noticed that I did not have these caps. part# is 45619-14020.

Good luck!

 

[87nasupra]

Strut mounts? If you can feel it in the steering wheel check those, if you CANT feel it in the wheel check brakes/tie-rods or rack bushings. I've always had it because I have a bad rack bushing alowing it to "clunk" .It does it to the left at lower speed when you go full lock as in parking spaces or backing up......just a thought :icon_bigg GL with the problem

 

[supradjza80]

My car makes a creaking type of noise in the front when going from a grade change while turning (driveways) and when at very low speeds while lightly braking. I have gone through the brakes, did ball joints in june and have checked everything and i just cant figure it out. I would guess it is a bushing somewhere but i have checked those and they all look good too...

 

[CyFi6]

check all ball joints for play.. I thinking thats the problem

remember zero play on the balljoints is what you want

Some loaded ball joints actually have a specified amount of play allowable, and are considered good with a certain amount, i cant seem to find any specs in the tsrm though, does anybody know the specs?