Strange front end clunk


WisdoM

WisdoM

15+ Year Member

Joined
Jan 2, 2009
Messages
159
Points
3,101
City
So Cal
Vehicle Year
1993
Transmission
Manual
Hello all,
I’m new to this forum and to four wheel drives so take it easy on me if I sound like a noob because I am! Lol… anyway on to my question, I have a 93 4.0 4x4 with a D35 and a rough country 4” lift and I have a noise that I can’t seem to cure. When I back up and apply the brakes I get a clunk sound out of the driver’s side front area, and then it clunks again when I brake going forward. It only happens if I reverse brake then forward brake, I first thought it was the radius arm bushings so I replaced them but the noise is still there. I have checked all the bolts in the front… any suggestions on what else to check?
 
Look at u-joint, and splined section of the right axle. You should look too to the oil level and quality of the front diff, look for metalflake. You should look if your brake caliper and brake pads aren't loose.
 
Made sure the radius arm bolts are tight where it bolts to the axle beam?

I've had where slop in a riveted-on brake pad lining caused a clunk like that too, something else to check.
 
+2 on checking the radius arms to beam bolts. The one under teh coil spring and on the bottom of the beam. Mine was so bad, it actually broke off the threaded insert, so its nothing to put off.
 
I checked the radius arm bracket to beam bolts, calipers & pads, coil nut, u-joints… all seem good, but the intermediate to slip yoke seem to have a lot of play..I can grab it and move it up and down a good ¼” or more is that normal?
 
Slip yoke on the passenger side axle shaft, right? These do wear out and will clunk...I'd take the boot off and see what's going on inside there.
 
yep its the passanger/right side
 
1/4" sounds like a lot. I'd have a look at it. Wear shouldn't be occurring there (and normally doesn't if it's lubed properly).
 
check the radius arm bracket i had the same thing happen to me. the bolt lossened up and whenever i would hit the breaks it would clunk
 
Also, check the spacers at the back of the radius arm bracket. The factory ones break sometimes.
 
I pulled what was left of the boot back on the right axle and I'm gonna guess thats where the clunk is coming from... the connection between the two shafts is really rotted away with rust so off to the junk yard I go :)
 
Since I’m pulling the axles I figured I would replace the u-joints and eliminate the c-lip,
I just replaced the wheel bearings last August so they are good but I would like to replace the spindle bearing and was wondering how dificlut it would be with out the speacial tools…can I press it out? Also is there anything else I need to replace while I have it apart?
 
I would think you can tap it out with a hammer & long punch. Some stores have tool rental and loaner programs where you could borrow a bearing puller to yank it out though.

Don't forget to replace any seals too while it's apart.
 
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