Front end clunks and truck smells when I first start it

[tjworthen]

Two things are getting worse and more noticeable on my 99 2500 4x4 diesel.

1 - The front end clunks alot and I can feel it in the steering wheel. This is particularly noticeable when the suspension is moving. I have looked for the cause but cannot find it.

2- The truck smells and smokes when I first start it. I used to never notice this, but it is getting worse. I regularly keep the air filter in good shape with a K&N oiled filter. I have added diesel supplement to my fuel on occassion to help keep the fuel injectors cleaner.

I have heard that a little automatic transmission fluid in the diesel will help clean injectors. Is this wise to do?

Anybody got any other ideas or similar experiences?

[scoutinkeith]

well, I don't know that much about diesels, so I can't help much with that part of it, but I have heard of puting a little ATF down the throttle body on gass engines to remove carbon buildup. I've never done it though, so you may want to talk to someone that has done it to get the details.
about the front end noise, my first guess would be the track bar(frame end uses a ball joint, those are known to wear out and cause a "clunk" sound)
to better diagnose the problem, have a friend turn the steering wheel from side to side wile you watch the front end. what you are looking for is movement in any of the joints in the steering and track bar linkage. if it's bad eanough to make a noise, you should be able to see some movement.
it also might be a good idea to check the wheel bearings and ball joints at the ends of the front axle. raise the front, and try to "wiggle" the tires. (place hands at 6 and 12 0-clock positions and try to move the tire) if there is movement, look to see where the movement is at. if the entire knuckle moves, then the ball joints are bad, if just the tire moves, then it's the wheel bearings.
hope this helps ya out some,
Keith

[tjworthen]

My track bar is worn out. I am going to replace it. However I do not believe the noise is coming from there. I will post after I have made the repair and let everyone know. When I do the repair I will check the ball joints too. Thanks.

[tjstepan]

F.Y.I.
I have a 98 dodge Ram 1500 and i had the exact same problem with my steering. I replaced the track bar, replaced all linkages, replaced wheel bearings. Which were all bad. But this still did not fix the problem. I dumped over $700 into fixing that clunk and its still there. Hope your not as unfortunate as me.

[moparboy99]

Well I a diesel mechanic And the first thing I need to know is how many miles are on the truck and when it had its last tune up. On the trucks that I work on you tune them up but adjusting the valve lash and the injectors also on some dodges I have also herd of the pump going out at about a hundred tousand but that would make it not start hope this helps otherwise e-mail me and well see waht we can do

[LTJGWorth]

Can that clunk sound also be described as a pop? I have a popping sound coming from my front end whenever I turn the wheel when the truck is either sitting still, or moving slowly. I got underneath it one day and had my brother turn the wheel and it sounds like it's coming from the steering box. My guess is that it's a bad gear and it's slipping, causing it to pop. Just wondering if anyone else has any input on that.

[tjworthen]

Well I replaced the track bar, and the power steering gear. The clunking is coming from the steering shaft. There is a joint in it that allows it to telescope. I oiled it and it seemed to help, but a few thousand miles on it and it's back as loud as ever. I can't keep the road weather off it.

It doesn't sound like a "pop", it's a clunk.

[wafrederick]

Check the front universal joints.That might be it