clunk or knock - some joint?

[adriatic04]

I have a knock or clunk, cant really figure out what driving conditions cause it, seems to happen with any sway or change in articulation.

I can have the vehicle off, stand on the side and sway the vehicle and it happens. Sounds like drivers side front wheel area. I try to sway the vehicle and get down to hear more closely but by then the car has stabilized. It is driving me insane. Only turning slowly doesnt make the noise so I dont presume CV.

What should I be testing and how should I be testing? Lifting wheels off and trying to move wheel side to side for axle?

 

[squirt]

Could be a sway bar link or panhard rod bushing. Since you can luckily replicate it while parked, I recommend you have someone else rock the vehicle while you crawl under and have a look. Should be simple enough.

 

[stu454]

A shot in the dark, but you may need all new bushings since the truck is crowding thirteen years old.

 

[adriatic04]

A shot in the dark, but you may need all new bushings since the truck is crowding thirteen years old.

probably correct and at this point I give up on a lot of the squirly bits but this one I cannot take. It basically drives me to the airport weekly, sits a week, then drives me home.

 

[fishEH]

My guess would be panhard bushing. Have someone rock the steering wheel back and forth while you look at the frame and axle side bushings.

 

[CORover]

I put a GoPro or similar camera on a small tripod and point it at the different areas that I want to look at and record. Then hop in, start it up and slowly move the steering wheel back and forth for a minute or two. Focus in on the areas mentioned above. I have located loose panhard bar hardware and bad bushes that way.

 

[adriatic04]

Just as follow up. The sway bar link, lower bearing bad.