Front suspension clunking

If I go over bumps or something like that in the truck I hear clunking from the front end, and I'm assuming that it's suspension related.

I don't think it's the bump stops because this doesn't happen when the nose goes down, but up (or the wheel goes down).

It sounds sort of metallic, like maybe there is a bushing missing?

I'm not familiar with this vehicle, so I'd have no idea where to look or what to look for in this. Any suggestions?

Check the end links on your sway bar. This is a very common problem.

Yep, can almost guarantee this is bad sway bar end-links. They are usually shot after a few years / ~30-40Kmi. The 2 fronts and 2 backs will all go at some point.

G/luck
Joel

so how much will this cost? I'll take your word on it because there is 103k on the thing.

I just checked it, and I'm assuming the end links are the little aluminum things with what looks like ball joints on it. Am I correct in this? Those things are easy to move from side to side in a twisting motion, but there is little to no play in any other direction. The grease boots on them also appear to be in good condition.

Here is a good thread on this: http://forums.trailvoy.com/showthread.php?t=1988&highlight=swaybar

G/luck
Joel

I have a 2002 TB and have had that same clunking since I bought the thing. Brought it back the first time and they changed the Struts in the front and the noise stopped for a while then came back. Brought it back four more times for clunking and all they say is everything is tight and normal. Brought it to a non-chevy mechanic and he said all was good. Just a Trailblazer thing I guess. SOunds horrible

... Just a Trailblazer thing I guess. SOunds horrible

No, its just a bad stabilizer bar end link thing. Replace the end links and she will be as quiet as a mouse. GM uses junk end links.

Joel

OK then I'll change the endlinks.....Thanks

Just ordered the Moog replacements from RockAuto, thanks

OK then I'll change the endlinks.....Thanks

Just ordered the Moog replacements from RockAuto, thanks
Make sure they are the type with lube fittings.

I ordered them already and I hope they have the fittings. Says it's a kit

2002 CHEVROLET TRAILBLAZER EXT 4.2L 256cid L6 FI (S) MOOGK6666 (http://wiki.rockauto.com/2002%20CHEVROLET%20TRAILBLAZER%20EXT%204.2L%20256c id%20L6%20FI%20%28S%29_Stabilizer%20Bar%20Link_140 9936_7580)Stabilizer Bar Link$ 19.98$ 0.001$ 19.98 MOOGK6665 (http://wiki.rockauto.com/2002%20CHEVROLET%20TRAILBLAZER%20EXT%204.2L%20256c id%20L6%20FI%20%28S%29_Stabilizer%20Bar%20Link_140 9936_7580)Stabilizer Bar Link$ 19.98$ 0.001$ 19.98 Shipping $ 6.83 Order Total $ 46.79

It just took me 4 hour s of torture to get those damned end links off the truck. Couldn't get vise grips in between the greese boot and the spinning shaft. Ended up cutting all of the nuts off with a cutting wheel. What a horror show. Works great now but that job sucked.

Nice work! Yeah... that looks like an aweful job. I wonder how the 'professionals' do it? Cutting torch?

Joel

Well I know I brought that truck in four times for clunking and they said they couldn't find a problem. Now I know why. Even the Chevy technicians don't want to do that job!!!

Nice work! Yeah... that looks like an aweful job. I wonder how the 'professionals' do it? Cutting torch?

Joel
Narrow jaw vise grips.

Narrow jaw vise grips.

Good tip! Thnx.

Joel

sorry to bring this back up, but does anybody have the MOOG part numbers for the fronts, so I make sure to get the ones with grease fittings?

I now have 1-2mm of play in them (yes, in and out) so I'm replacing them ASAP.

Also, instead of using the vice grips, would putting an allen wrench (or allen socket) into the end of the bolt do the same thing? I noticed that there today, maybe that's how the GM techs get them off.

sorry to bring this back up, but does anybody have the MOOG part numbers for the fronts, so I make sure to get the ones with grease fittings?

I now have 1-2mm of play in them (yes, in and out) so I'm replacing them ASAP.

Also, instead of using the vice grips, would putting an allen wrench (or allen socket) into the end of the bolt do the same thing? I noticed that there today, maybe that's how the GM techs get them off.
Moog 6665 and 6666. I would cut em off with a cut off wheel if real rusted, use vice grips and the the thread is ruined to pass the nut., if not rusted try the allen first.

Moog 6665 and 6666. I would cut em off with a cut off wheel if real rusted, use vice grips and the the thread is ruined to pass the nut., if not rusted try the allen first.

Thankyou for the part numbers... I'll stop by Advance tomorrow to see if they can indeed get said parts in one day.

Odd thing is, and I've NEVER seen this before, but threads are not damaged, and there is NO rust on those bolts!!!

I'm going to try an Allen socket on a breaker bar with a pipe (pipe to wedge it onto the ground)... and that is an 18mm nut right?

Thankyou for the part numbers... I'll stop by Advance tomorrow to see if they can indeed get said parts in one day.

Odd thing is, and I've NEVER seen this before, but threads are not damaged, and there is NO rust on those bolts!!!

I'm going to try an Allen socket on a breaker bar with a pipe (pipe to wedge it onto the ground)... and that is an 18mm nut right?
Yes, 18mm. Tight isn't the problem, it is holding the end of the stud, get some PB blaster or such on the threads first.

Ok, I'll find out soon enough... CarQuest is the only place around here that carries Moog. $26 each, so that's not too bad (about the same as shipping, but less wait) Now I need to get myself an 18mm wrench and a grease gun and a tube 'o grease.

Speaking of which, I've never had a car where I had to grease stuff up, what type do I need? I take it that to grease it it's loosen the fitting, inject grease, tighten fitting... just like bleeding brakes?

My 05 tb ext has started clunking up front now over bumps, particularly when the suspension is "cold" (when the car has been sitting for a while). I also have a highway vibration felt through the steerin wheel and seat (the whole car for that matter). Could it be the end links? I'm just about at 40,000 miles. I have a GM warranty good for 80,000 miles, hopefully they can examine it and fix it for free.

The clunking is probably bad stablizer end links up front. The vib problem may be a tire balancing issue. Wow 40K already on a 2005!

Joel

The clunking is probably bad stablizer end links up front. The vib problem may be a tire balancing issue. Wow 40K already on a 2005!

Joel

'02 here with 105k on her.

Just got the links, they look oh so pretty, and they smell good too (I like the smell of fresh car parts).

Now I just need to get (another) new grease gun and tube 'o grease because the one I just bought had a nasty crack which the grease leaked out of, and then blew up on me, covering my shoes and the kitchen floor.

I'm doing this tomorrow, wish me luck.

Oh... if IF I have to remove the swaybar to do this, what is the torque for bolting that back to the body? Is it 78ft-lbs like the end links, or is it around 65?

After replacing the sway bar end links it feels like a new car again. No clunking or squeaking and No more cursing Chevrolet. :wink:

The vibration is not from a balancing issue. I thought that's what it might be, but had them balanced and no difference. There also seems to be a little extra play in the steering wheel and it seems to feel funny when turning (not power issue), but it will "rubber band" or swing or whatever you want to call it after you let go more than normal. The suspension also seems to clunk at highway driving now if I hit a bump.

Hey guys, just got my Moog end links in the mail. Haven't had a chance to get them on yet. I see a couple replies saying to grease the fittings with a grease gun, but they are already packed with grease. Enough that it's coming out of the hole. Should I still put some grease in there once I get them on the truck?

Hey guys, just got my Moog end links in the mail. Haven't had a chance to get them on yet. I see a couple replies saying to grease the fittings with a grease gun, but they are already packed with grease. Enough that it's coming out of the hole. Should I still put some grease in there once I get them on the truck?

Yes!!!

I picked mine up at carquest and they were also "greased", which was a little in there on one of them, but they guy at carquest said it would be a really good idea to grease them again just to be safe.

But, I greased mine before I put them on because I got a crappy grease gun from walmart with no flex section on it.

You Must Clean The Threads Witha Wire Brush First And Then Spray Them With Wd40 Or Likewise