2008 2500HD front end clunk. Common prob?

[68ragtop]

Hi Guys, picked up a very clean 2008 Silverado 2500 HD. W/60K miles. The vehicle has been very well cared for as I know the orignal owner. I have zero complaints with the truck other than an annoying front end clunking. Its very reminisant to the intermediate shaft issues of my 2003 2500HD.

Basically when hitting very small road imperfections, I can feel/hear a clunking in the front suspension. I can also duplicate the issue by rocking the truck left to right with the steering wheel while going 20-30MPH. I figured, stabilizer links. I put the truck up in the air, & can't find a thing wrong. Links are tight as well as the ball joints & tie rod ends. Were these trucks know for a common clunk like this. I'll keep looking, but I am very puzzeled at the moment...

Thanks!!

[swingline]

check the sway bar end links.

how did you check the ball joints? you must have it jacked by the lower control arm with just enough space under the tire to get a pry bar in there and pry up while someone watches the ball joints for signs of play.

most likely the end links though.

[j cAT]

grease the front end ball joints see if it changes. then jack front end off ground and check all the steering components.

as mentioned you must place a block under the lower control arm then using a bar pry on the tire to see if the ball joints are not worn. if you grease them and the seals are broken and rust come out good chance they were never greased. the grease seals should be pumped up with grease and not broken. too much can cause them to break.

[68ragtop]

Thanks guys, I have a 4 post bend pak lift with a slide lift tray. I lifted it from the outer most point I could reach on the front a-arms. slid a pry bar under the tires & pryed both directions with no noticable movement. stabilizer links are tight as well. had my wife rock the steering left & right & watched the tie rod ends, saw nothing there either. I coun't help but start thinking about the problematic intermediate shafts in the previous generation trucks. Hubs also seemed tight & are quiet. If nothing else I can start taking some things apart & get a closer look.... Hhhmmmmm.

[68ragtop]

could be that as I lift the truck from the a-arms, & the suspension droops out a little, an maybe there is a wear spot that is being hidden. I do have allignment casters I could set the front tires on, to have it sit as it would on the road. Then try to see if something will move.

[j cAT]

Originally Posted by 68ragtop

could be that as I lift the truck from the a-arms, & the suspension droops out a little, an maybe there is a wear spot that is being hidden. I do have allignment casters I could set the front tires on, to have it sit as it would on the road. Then try to see if something will move.

if when moving and working the steering wheel you can get it do act up then its in the steering. could be the ISS needs lubing. this has been a minor fit issue for a very long time. not just GM/trucks but other manufacturers as well.

so the greasing of the front end when off the ground did not reveal any thing ? if that is the case then the ISS could very well be the problem.

[68ragtop]

Well, some progress to report, but no diagnosis just yet. I figured out it produces the noise from rocking the truck side to side from steering as mentioned above. While I had it in the garage last night, I was able to physically rock the truck side to side enough where it will make the same noise. So, I just need to get an extra hand over to help me rock the truck while I find the gremlin. Its odd because it almost sounds like its coming from the center of the vehicle. Could be a bad shock. I will find it & post back when I do. Might be a few days though.

[68ragtop]

Originally Posted by j cAT

if when moving and working the steering wheel you can get it do act up then its in the steering. could be the ISS needs lubing. this has been a minor fit issue for a very long time. not just GM/trucks but other manufacturers as well.

so the greasing of the front end when off the ground did not reveal any thing ? if that is the case then the ISS could very well be the problem.

Did these trucks still have problems with the ISS?? Good gravy, I went through 3 of them on my 2003 2500HD. This doesn't feel the same as it did in the 03, & the 03 was most noticeable going around corners & hitting light bumps.

[j cAT]

Originally Posted by 68ragtop

Did these trucks still have problems with the ISS?? Good gravy, I went through 3 of them on my 2003 2500HD. This doesn't feel the same as it did in the 03, & the 03 was most noticeable going around corners & hitting light bumps.

when my 2000 did it this it would occur just going straight , on a good paved road. feel in the steering wheel a pop movement . on a toyota avalon it felt the same but not as often . anyway the grease fixed them. its been along time now that the 2000 did it 10yrs.

could also be the torsion bars/bushings . you should check vehicle height . my 2000 needed to be adjusted after 2000miles. thats another item that has not had to be changed along with the alignment I did at that time .

how many miles on the shocks ? I replace my shocks at 60,ooomiles. got the bilstiens.

when you rotate the tires give all the brake rotors/drums a good check could be some bad hardware/shield etc...

[68ragtop]

Found the problem!

There is a bushing between the frame & the torsion bar crossmember that is shot. Had a friend stop by to rock the truck, found the bushing was worn & causing the clunking.

[j cAT]

Originally Posted by 68ragtop

Found the problem!

There is a bushing between the frame & the torsion bar cross member that is shot. Had a friend stop by to rock the truck, found the bushing was worn & causing the clunking.

that is what I stated could be the problem . this bushing has failed for some. I never seen this failure yet on any vehicles I have worked on but it is in the forum history .

[68ragtop]

Originally Posted by j cAT

that is what I stated could be the problem . this bushing has failed go for some. I never seen this failure yet on any vehicles I have worked on but it is in the forum history .

Sorry about that, just misunderstood you. when you mentioned torsion bars, I never looked at the end of the crossmember, just looked at the torsion bars. Your right, must not be too common, as nobody stocks the part.

[j cAT]

Originally Posted by 68ragtop

Sorry about that, just misunderstood you. when you mentioned torsion bars, I never looked at the end of the cross member, just looked at the torsion bars. Your right, must not be too common, as nobody stocks the part.

I am surprised a 2008 with those miles are with this.

[68ragtop]

Originally Posted by j cAT

I am surprised a 2008 with those miles are with this.

A little odd, the truck hasn't a squeek otherwise. The previous owner ran it with full air pressure becasue of the TPS system warning system. It rode like a frozen skate board. I reprogamed the TPS system so I can run 50 PSI front & rear. That has helped the ride considerably.

Not saying stiff tires caused the problem, but once that mount had a little slop, I'm guessing the stiff ride could have helped make it worse over time. He said it was like that for years, so probably should have been checked while it was still in warranty.

[j cAT]

Originally Posted by 68ragtop

A little odd, the truck hasn't a squeek otherwise. The previous owner ran it with full air pressure becasue of the TPS system warning system. It rode like a frozen skate board. I reprogamed the TPS system so I can run 50 PSI front & rear. That has helped the ride considerably.

Not saying stiff tires caused the problem, but once that mount had a little slop, I'm guessing the stiff ride could have helped make it worse over time. He said it was like that for years, so probably should have been checked while it was still in warranty.

I would say with that info it was damaged on the vehicle build from factory.

the tire pressures on a 2500 load e tires should be around 70 psi . perhaps as much as 80 psi in the front.

my load C tires are set to 50 psi .