Hey guys this past weekend while creeping down a road with a severe "washboard" my left front end would emit a loud knock. It does not knock when driving down the road and hitting bumps just on that bad road. I have 69k on the truck, does this sound like a ball joint problem or..........? What is the best way to check the ball joints? jack it up put a 2x4 under the tire and lift up and down or......? I have heard so much about crappy ball joints I guess I am paranoid about them going bad. Anyone have any ideas of what else it might be or what else and how to check it out? Sorry about all the questions I just try to get as much info as possible before beginning a job.

 

Well from experence, i was worried about that to but mine (a 99 2wd) turned out to be the drivers side tie rod end. Changed both and no more clunk... Just something to check. Could also be a bad bushing.

 

Yes, jack it up and start looking. Look at the boots for the ball joints. The bad ones sometimes have an appearance of being rusty where it comes out of the boot.

 

Thank you to Kwikkordead and to ford_dad for your suggestions on fixing the clunk. I jacked up the front drivers side and no up/down clunk but left to right major clunk. Turned out the drivers side tie rod end was super sloppy and the passenger side had some slop also. Went to my local NAPA and bought both tie rod ends and since I was there they actually had the 6639 filter in stock so I got one and a 6" length of 4" od pipe and 2 clamps for it. I replaced both tie rod ends tonight and am planning on doing the Kwik mod Sunday. Thanks to both of ya'll for your suggestions. Cant wait to start hearing the turbo wine with the 6639.

 

Your welcome. Have fun with that big air filter. You have to remove the whole air filter housing for it to fit. You can re-install the battery cover for the air passage. I recommend doing the Zoodad mod at the same time for some nice cool air to be fed to the air filter.
Zoodad mod: http://rides.webshots.com/album/29503747CLxEtpIVYO

 

Also, someone here suggested pulling back the carpet and checking the body/chassis mount bolts. I just had the ball joints on mine done and 99% of my clunking/noise is gone. My sway bar bushings are real sloppy, so that's next.....

 

Good Idea!! I knew I need there was something else I needed to do. Got my new Fumoto valve Friday so I can change oil and Filter, Zoodad, and Kwik mod. Sounds like I am going to have some quality time today!!

 

Let me know how far down that Fumoto hangs down. As far as I can tell the drain plug is the lowest point on the front of the 2wd trucks.....

 

John, no problem with the fumoto! There is the crossmember that runs under the oil pan and the fumoto is still approx 1/2" higher than the crossmember.

Ever have one of those days when everything goes wrong. Got under the truck with the drain pan pulled the drain plug got out from under the truck walked to the garage looked under the truck and oil was pouring over the top of the drain pan, I forgot to open the vent on the panHad to finish the change on my back under the truck sliding in dirty oil to finish the job, then the next hour cleaning the driveway!! Had a cool one then decided I would do the Kwik mod and zoodad next weekend. This Sundays quality time went right down the skitter.

 

Man, maybe my mounts are worn or something. My pan is almost flush with the bottom of that crossmember.

I've done the same with the pan too. Gotta love it!!