Ever since I got my Bronco from my parents (my dad said it never did that before), there has been a clunking sound coming from the suspension when I drive over bumps. It sounds like a loose bolt thats moving around. It only makes the sound when I'm driving over 20mph, anything less and its dead silent. I had an alignment done about 3 months ago and they didn't find anything, and said everything up front is good. My dad thought maybe its a loose shock making the noise since I put new shocks on soon after I got the truck, but both on the passenger side are tight and only the rear drivers side was a little loose. I'm going to tighten all of them up tonight, but I don't think that will do anything, so I was wondering if anyone had any ideas as to where the sound is coming from? O yea, The sound seems to come from more of the rear and it doesn't go away when I apply the brakes.

 

May not be suspension...get under the truck and check your u-joints. Grab the driveshaft and give it a tug. If it moves then the u-joints are bad. Just my 2-cents.

 

Could be a bad shock,new doesn't mean good.Maybe spare tire,20 MPH. bumps are kinda harsh.

 

Take the driveshaft off and grease the splines. Went through hell on my 96 until I did that

 

Just went through the same problem. Had my alignment done but still a clunk. Turned out to be an old rear U-joint ('82 4x4). Had it replaced and now she is quiet again.


G

 

If the front was given a clean bill of health, then I'd be looking at the rear. shocks, mounts, spring hangers, U-bolts as well as U-joints. Don't overlook the possibility of broken exhaust hangers and other components coming loose under there as well.

 

Well when I was under the Bronco yesterday, tighting up the shocks, I noticed that the heat shield over the exhaust at about the middle of the body was loose. I could move it up and down about an 1 1/2", apparently whatever held it in place rusted away. So I got that tightened up and drove it around, and a lot of the clunking noises were gone. Although there is still a little clunking noise that isn't as loud coming from the truck, but it is hard to tell exactly were the noise is coming from, some times it sounds like the front, other times it sounds like the rear. Either tonight or tomorrow I will check the rear driveshaft and see how that is since all the shocks are tight now. Is there any spot in the front end that could make noise that an alignment shop could miss?

 

Radius arm bushing could have been overlooked.

 

Maybe overlooked radius arm bushing,most people jack-up front end and shake wheels which is okay on some vehcles but cannot tell if R.A. bushing is bad just by doing this.Usually can look at it and tell though.

 

Take a look at the sway bar end links as well.

 

I'm pretty sure its not the radius arm bushings because I just replaced those about 3 months ago with new poly bushings. I thought the old ones were causing a clunk because they didn't look so good, but there was still noise after the new ones were put on. As for the sway bar links, I haven't checked those but I will.

 

Many of us have had this same problem...bottom of coil spring washer is loose. Most overlooked clanking/jingling problem...

 

Thanks for all the help so far. I haven't had time to check everything you guys listed yet, but I'm hoping this weekend I will have time, then I will be able to give an update on what I find. I have one question though, I plan on greasing the slip joint on the driveshaft, but can you use tiewraps to replace the metal bands holding the boot on over the slip joint? If not, what is the exact name for the bands and where would I be able to find replacements?

 

Ok I finally got to looking around under the Bronco. Can a loose U-joint cause a clunking sound when driving over bumps? The last u-joint, closest to the rear end is just a little loose. Also, is it normal for the flange that the driveshaft hooks up to on the transfer case to move in and out of the transfer case a slight amount, like an 1/8 of an inch? Finally, where is the washer on the bottom of the coil spring, and how do you tighten it up? I was looking around on the front end, and I couldn't really feel that anything was loose.

 

If the u joint is wiped out bad enough it will make a noise but i wouldnt definitly associate it with noise over bumps. If the u joint is dry or rusted it will make a squeek/groan noise at a cycle in relation to vehicle speed. If the joint is falling apart and has a lot of play it will make a clunk/grind but if it is in that bad of condition normally it is very obvious and falling apart in your hand.


If you checked the rad arm bushings and lower coil spring retainers and all check out i have one last suggestion for you. My truck currently has an intermittant clunk on bumbs which i have related to one or both lower ball joints. I am unsure of the milage on ur truck but it seems that high milage ball joints have enough wear to on occasion make a clunk/rattle when hitting bumps. In my case it seems to be more freequent while turning. I've been too lazy to change them out and have been putting the job off untill i decide which way to go with lift.

Oh yea, one last thing, i remember a rattle noise in the front suspension that was caused by the front inboard brake pad. The anti rattle clip either not installed or rusted or worn away. The noise would be the pad clicking up and down in the steering knuckle. Im guessing the same noise woudl be present if an ouboard pad wasnt staked right either. Maybee worth a look?

My 2c's. Hope it helps.