clunk in front end

[hammerhankinson]

My 93 caravan has slowly developed a slight clunk in front end, which sound like its somewhere in the engine behind the brake pedal. It started off as a random clunk, happening once it while with no real reason (acceloration, turning, slowing down), and its getting worse and worse. I was told possibly the half-shaft. Any Ideas????!?!?!??!

[catfishfryer]

Originally Posted by hammerhankinson

My 93 caravan has slowly developed a slight clunk in front end, which sound like its somewhere in the engine behind the brake pedal. It started off as a random clunk, happening once it while with no real reason (acceloration, turning, slowing down), and its getting worse and worse. I was told possibly the half-shaft. Any Ideas????!?!?!??!

Mine is a 94 Caravan with a clunk coming from the front right. So far I have replaced: the control arm ball joint, the complete strut assembly, all bushings/links on the sway bar, wheel bearing hub assembly, installed new drive axles, new motor mounts, new tires, new rotors. I even removed the sway bar and drove it around and it still does it. Also I tightened the front end to frame bolts with a 4 ft. wrench. I am beginning to think the frame has broken welds or something like that.

Soon I will try to replace the control arm bushings.

HELP! Anybody figure this out yet??

[cyclonicblade]

Originally Posted by catfishfryer

Mine is a 94 Caravan with a clunk coming from the front right. So far I have replaced: the control arm ball joint, the complete strut assembly, all bushings/links on the sway bar, wheel bearing hub assembly, installed new drive axles, new motor mounts, new tires, new rotors. I even removed the sway bar and drove it around and it still does it. Also I tightened the front end to frame bolts with a 4 ft. wrench. I am beginning to think the frame has broken welds or something like that.

Soon I will try to replace the control arm bushings.

HELP! Anybody figure this out yet??

Check for play in the inboard CV shaft where the shaft goes in the diff. the Diff Bearing is about $8.00 also is it lined up the motor mounts are adjustable on a slide on mout models to center the half shafts

[catfishfryer]

Originally Posted by cyclonicblade

Check for play in the inboard CV shaft where the shaft goes in the diff. the Diff Bearing is about $8.00 also is it lined up the motor mounts are adjustable on a slide on mout models to center the half shafts

Many Thanks! I will replace the bearing and check centering in the next few days and report back.

[hammerhankinson]

well havn't gotten it in yet, but i'm assuming mine is the half shaft. the van has 220,000 miles on it, and thats one part that has yet to be replaced, and thats right where the noise is at! i'll let ya'll know

[cyclonicblade]

@ 220 thousand miles you could very weel be right

[johnhouser]

I had the same problem. Sway bar link & bushings were replaced at dealer and no more clunking!!! Of course this set me back $100 for parts and $160 for labor - ouch!! I wish I made $80/hour...

[doratheexplorer]

Originally Posted by johnhouser

I had the same problem. Sway bar link & bushings were replaced at dealer and no more clunking!!! Of course this set me back $100 for parts and $160 for labor - ouch!! I wish I made $80/hour...

Same here, but I'm using a temporary fix until it gets warmer outside and I figure out which bushing fit the swaybar. I greased the outer bushings mounted to the control arm. They were rock hard, so I figured it couldn't hurt.