Odd clunking noise
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Odd clunking noise
OK, I know that "clunking noise" is pretty nonspecific, so I'll try to fine it down. Truck's a 99 with 166K miles. A few hundred miles ago, I had the upper & lower control arms, along with the ball joints and pretty much everything else except the tie rods replaced. Last weekend, I replaced the tie rods. Yet still, whenever I am on the brakes with the wheels turned, my font end clunks. I've tried rocking the wheels with the front end off the ground and get zero movement, up down left or right. All the boots appear to be properly greased, and nothing is visibly loose. Anyone have any ideas where to go / what to check next? I'll be working on my baby this weekend for other things, and I'd like to get this wrapped instead of blindly throwing more parts at the problem. Thanks!
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Looking at the diagram in my Haynes manual, it appears that the only part that hasn't been touched/replaced is the stabilizer bar. Would that whole thing need to be R/R or can I get by with just the bushings? It seems like the bar just stays in place, but bushings can easily go bad. Esp after 166K miles of good hard use.
EDIT - secondary question - my local parts store doesn't have the bushings in stock. Does anyone know what size the bar is for the XLT sport model? Apparently there's a 32mm and a 29mm size.
EDIT - secondary question - my local parts store doesn't have the bushings in stock. Does anyone know what size the bar is for the XLT sport model? Apparently there's a 32mm and a 29mm size.
Laughing Gas
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 1,098
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From: Minnesota
They are usually only 10-$15.00 each. Maybe buy one of each, take one out and compare it to the two you bought, then take the other one back. Then do the other side. They usually come as a kit.....4 bushings, a long bolt and nut, some washers, and a spacer.... one assembly per side.. I am talking about the "links" on each end that tie the bar to the knuckle, not the bushings the sway bar is held to the frame with.
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They are usually only 10-$15.00 each. Maybe buy one of each, take one out and compare it to the two you bought, then take the other one back. Then do the other side. They usually come as a kit.....4 bushings, a long bolt and nut, some washers, and a spacer.... one assembly per side.. I am talking about the "links" on each end that tie the bar to the knuckle, not the bushings the sway bar is held to the frame with.
Stupid question - would it be safe to move the truck around in my driveway (essentially straightforward into the garage and then straight back out) with the bar removed? Or at least with the bushings removed? That way I could do a side by side comparison at the store before I buy.
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Laughing Gas
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 1,098
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From: Minnesota
It's a sway bar...it just keeps the front end from "swaying" when you make a turn. A lot of people drive around with them busted and never fix them.....so I would say you would be safe. What you perceive about what I am talking about and what you actually are thinking of doing........hopefully are the same thing. I would ask the place you are buying the parts from if it is safe to move it with the parts removed. That way there is no "miscommunication". I don't want you to get hurt doing something based on my input....good luck..
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It's a sway bar...it just keeps the front end from "swaying" when you make a turn. A lot of people drive around with them busted and never fix them.....so I would say you would be safe. What you perceive about what I am talking about and what you actually are thinking of doing........hopefully are the same thing. I would ask the place you are buying the parts from if it is safe to move it with the parts removed. That way there is no "miscommunication". I don't want you to get hurt doing something based on my input....good luck..
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