clunk when wheel is turned
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Junior User
Joined: Jan 2009
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From: Bound Brook NJ
clunk when wheel is turned
Hello all....I though I read a post about clunking when the wheel is turned all the way at one point. I forget if this is just the way things are with a 4x4, but wanted to confirm. It happens when the wheel is truned either to the right or left at 90% and moving forward.
Also...what milage should I expect to replace ball joints? I have 88K on my truck. (light use) Just an estimate
Thanks all for your response in advance
Mike821
Also...what milage should I expect to replace ball joints? I have 88K on my truck. (light use) Just an estimate
Thanks all for your response in advance
Mike821
Fleet Owner
Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 27,927
Likes: 3,651
Hello all....I though I read a post about clunking when the wheel is turned all the way at one point. I forget if this is just the way things are with a 4x4, but wanted to confirm. It happens when the wheel is truned either to the right or left at 90% and moving forward.
Also...what milage should I expect to replace ball joints? I have 88K on my truck. (light use) Just an estimate
Thanks all for your response in advance
Mike821
Also...what milage should I expect to replace ball joints? I have 88K on my truck. (light use) Just an estimate
Thanks all for your response in advance
Mike821
You can check for play by jacking up the truck and seeing if each wheel moves when you apply some force to them (use your hands or you can put a lug wrench under the tire for the top-to-bottom check):
If each wheel moves top to bottom only, it is the ball joints.
If it moves in all directions then probably wheel bearings.
Sway bar (stabilizer bar) links go bad fairly often also. Check them out also.
Post Fiend
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 10,626
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From: Plano TX and Brentwood TN
Ball joints go out between 80 and 100k miles from what I have read (probably not what you wanted to hear).
You can check for play by jacking up the truck and seeing if each wheel moves when you apply some force to them (use your hands or you can put a lug wrench under the tire for the top-to-bottom check):
If each wheel moves top to bottom only, it is the ball joints.
If it moves in all directions then probably wheel bearings.
Sway bar (stabilizer bar) links go bad fairly often also. Check them out also.
You can check for play by jacking up the truck and seeing if each wheel moves when you apply some force to them (use your hands or you can put a lug wrench under the tire for the top-to-bottom check):
If each wheel moves top to bottom only, it is the ball joints.
If it moves in all directions then probably wheel bearings.
Sway bar (stabilizer bar) links go bad fairly often also. Check them out also.
I don't want to hear this either, I'm on borrowed time based on those averages. I didn't need to "hear" this, particularly with a road trip coming up in a week.
Resident smarta$$
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 4,929
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From: Oaks,PA
If you get new BJ's get greasable ones. My uppers have 9/32 plugs that I unscrew and put a zerk in to grease them, then put the plug back in. Kinda a pain in the butt, but easier than replacing the BJs.
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Junior User
Joined: Jan 2009
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From: Bound Brook NJ
sounds like a low thud...thud..thud.....thud. Do you have any sound when you turn your wheel all the way to the right or left? (like making a U turn)
Thanks Bismic.....Yeah I am bracing for the yee ole ball joint job. I hear a great deal of people on the board do them rather than a dealer. What is the savings? How do you know they are shot? Anything to look for or listen for?
Thanks Bismic.....Yeah I am bracing for the yee ole ball joint job. I hear a great deal of people on the board do them rather than a dealer. What is the savings? How do you know they are shot? Anything to look for or listen for?
Elder User
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 594
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From: New Jersey
Your problem could also be a sticky hub. If you have the auto hubs and they have not been serviced or it's been a while they may not release causing the front U-Joint on that side of the axle to clunk on a tight turn. The front U-joints are also greasable and should be done periodically.
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Junior User
Joined: Jan 2009
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From: Bound Brook NJ
Thanks John....that brings up a good point. Have you ever done service on a set of hubs before? I do not know what the previous owner did, but I would be willing to DIY if it is not a real PIA.
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[quote=bismic;8205810]You can check for play by jacking up the truck and seeing if each wheel moves when you apply some force to them (use your hands or you can put a lug wrench under the tire for the top-to-bottom check):
If each wheel moves top to bottom only, it is the ball joints.
If it moves in all directions then probably wheel bearings.
[quote]
Have you checked for "play" in the wheels yet?
If each wheel moves top to bottom only, it is the ball joints.
If it moves in all directions then probably wheel bearings.
[quote]
Have you checked for "play" in the wheels yet?
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Junior User
Joined: Jan 2009
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From: Bound Brook NJ
LOL......I just looked for my jack. Seems that somone needed it and did not ruturn it. Once I get my jack back I will boost her up. I guess I can chance it with the stock jack...but you know how that is.
Tnx
Tnx
Elder User
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 594
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From: New Jersey
I have not done them personally but many on this site have and it appears to be pretty easy... I believe there is info on how to do it in the tech folder. The reason I mentioned the hubs is that it happened to me on my '03 and I took it in to the dealer and they told me it was a sticky hub, they serviced it and the clunking went away. I had less than 10K on the truck when it happened.