front end clunk when backing up?

[rlith]

Originally Posted by a77wing

well, i've replaced the following front end components:tie rod ends, inner and outer, all ball joints, idler arm, pitman arm, and driver's side front axle.they were worn out and needed to be replaced, even if they didn't solve my clunk. the truck feels so tight now, just like new! i also installed the hood hinge washers, but my clunk is still present. tomorrow i'll be looking into the torsion bar mounts. i don't regret the work i've done so far, as i'm really pleased with the results. i think this truck was rode hard by the p.o., the bastard! only 80k on this thing. i'll post my results when i've figured it out. thanks for the help everyone!

As I said, check the contol arm bushings... If they're dry rotted/cracked they may be your culprit vs the torsion bar mounts.

[metallica21156]

i have a clunk mostly when i take off but some times it will do it in reverse. i looked at my frame and i could see where the rubber pad on the torsion bar assably has been hitting the frame but i think this if normal since theres no metal sticking out of the rubber pad ans why else would the pad be there other then to stop it from clunking. i think its normal for it to hit it a little.

[rlith]

Originally Posted by metallica21156

i have a clunk mostly when i take off but some times it will do it in reverse. i looked at my frame and i could see where the rubber pad on the torsion bar assably has been hitting the frame but i think this if normal since theres no metal sticking out of the rubber pad ans why else would the pad be there other then to stop it from clunking. i think its normal for it to hit it a little.

Did you check the control arm bushings?

[metallica21156]

how do i check them. they have some small dry cracks in them. is there any other way to test them?

[rlith]

if it's dry cracked like that they need replaced...Probably that's your problem and not the torsion bars.

[metallica21156]

how hard are they to replace?

[BlazerLT]

Originally Posted by metallica21156

how hard are they to replace?

I would honestly find out your problem instead of rolling the dice and guessing what it is.

[rlith]

Originally Posted by metallica21156

how hard are they to replace?

Not very, far easier than the torsion bar mounts... As I keep saying your issue sounds more like the control arm bushings than the torsion bar. The torsion bar is more likely to knock over bumps, whereas your problem is clunking when turning or backing up which is indicative of the control arm bushings, and the fact that they are dry and cracked seems to confirm this.

[metallica21156]

well it does it when i go over bumps and when i take off. it also seems sometimes like when it does it it almost seems like when i take off like the drivers side wheel gets stuck in the rested postion and then flops down with a clunk. if that makes any sense. the only way i can get it to do it is drive it. i've tried jacking it up and droping it with no success. i've also tried jumping on it and can't find it. i did used to get a click or i could feel the clunk in the steering wheel but after looking at it i could see that the bolt from the anti sway kit was hitting the tir rod. fixed that but the clunks there. is there any way to test the bushings?

[rlith]

IF they're dry and cracked, they're bad.

[blazee]

Originally Posted by rlith

Not very, far easier than the torsion bar mounts... As I keep saying your issue sounds more like the control arm bushings than the torsion bar. The torsion bar is more likely to knock over bumps, whereas your problem is clunking when turning or backing up which is indicative of the control arm bushings, and the fact that they are dry and cracked seems to confirm this.

I can't say for sure if it is the control arm bushings, torsion bars, or something else, because I'm not there to inspect it in person, but I do know that there is a TSB out for the torsion bar crossmember being too close to one side, making it more likely to hit the frame. The symptom listed is a clunk felt in floor pan while backing, turning, and while traveling over uneven surfaces. The fix is to shim one side so that the crossmember is centered in the frame. I currently have this problem, but it isn't enough of a nuisance to fix it right now. I'll get around to it sooner or later. I'm currently experiencing a clunk while backing to the left and occassionally when I hit a bump, it hardly ever does it going forward. Swalt was the one that tipped me off to it, I believe that he had the same issue. I think that the effected models were 98+. The year model and symptoms don't apply to metallica21156, so I doubt that it is his problem, but both do apply to the threadstarter leading me to believe it is most likely the cause of his problems.

[a77wing]

i still have the clunk, even after installing the shims on the torsion bar crossmember. it's doing it going foreward or back, steering turned all the way right or left. i don't want to sound like an idiot, but where and what are the control arm bushings? the clunk occurs within moving the truck 2 feet or so. it doesn't do it while going over rough surfaces, or any other time. the mechanic thinks it might be in the passanger half shaft, so i might replace that next.

[BlazerLT]

check your brake calipers.

The pins could be worn.

[rlith]

Originally Posted by a77wing

i still have the clunk, even after installing the shims on the torsion bar crossmember. it's doing it going foreward or back, steering turned all the way right or left. i don't want to sound like an idiot, but where and what are the control arm bushings? the clunk occurs within moving the truck 2 feet or so. it doesn't do it while going over rough surfaces, or any other time. the mechanic thinks it might be in the passanger half shaft, so i might replace that next.

The upper control arm bushings are at the frame. You will see a large triangle attach to the frame behind your left front wheel. the base of the triangle holds your upper ball joint, the top has a bushing in each ear. If the rubber is dry or cracked it is most likely the cause of your problem... dunno if I mentioned that before or not...

[muzzy1maniac]

Originally Posted by blazee

I'm currently experiencing a clunk while backing to the left and occassionally when I hit a bump, it hardly ever does it going forward. Swalt was the one that tipped me off to it, I believe that he had the same issue. I think that the effected models were 98+. The year model and symptoms don't apply to metallica21156, so I doubt that it is his problem, but both do apply to the threadstarter leading me to believe it is most likely the cause of his problems.

Any chance that you've done this in the dark and notise your lights flicker? That's what I'm getting. Almost always in reverse - usually the first time for the day(which is @ 3am) in the dark and I notice my lights flick. I thought it might have been my automatic lights kicking in but I can let it idle for a while and it'll still happen. I'll be doing the backslide under the beast tomorrow looking for wear. Damn I hate stone driveways!!!