Clunk from driver side tire when turning

[Ruby4x4]

I can't figure this out and I don't feel like blindly throwing parts at the problem. I'm getting a clunk from my driver side tire ONLY when I turn right semi-sharply. If I ease in to the turn I don't get a clunk. I also notice it when turning right coming from an incline (leaving the driveway). I've recently replaced the sway bar bushings so I know its not them, but when I disconnect the sway bar link, the clunk gets much louder. I've also recently replaced the wheel bearings..

If anyone has had this issue before, I would love to hear what the problem was so I can focus my efforts. I haven't been able to find any excessive movement in the ball joints or tie rod end, but I've armed myself with a large screwdriver and am going to go give it another try with some more leverage this time.

 

[pillen140]

what year? if it has ttb id look at the radius arm bushings, or if its lifted, make sure brackets are tight.

 

[archer2]

clunking

Is the noise not there when the hubs are unlocked? Check the U-joints. When turning right it loads the left side and vise-versa.

 

[whissiswheelin]

I would jack the front and investigate ttb bushings, ball joints on the hub and shake the hell outta everything. I would mention wheel bearings but you said you already did those. did you tighten them up really tight and back them off then retighten?

I have a clunk sometimes too but narrowed it down to the rear end bein sloppy side to side and that it is perfectly normal.

 

[Ruby4x4]

what year? if it has ttb id look at the radius arm bushings, or if its lifted, make sure brackets are tight.

It's a '93, what should I be looking for with the radius arm bushings?

Hubs are unlocked when the noise occurs so I know its not something to do with the 4x4. I'm not getting any movement from the ball joints, just a little bit of movement from the brake disc/wheel bearings. I have manual hubs and have tightened everything down to spec (30ft/lbs, loosen 1/4 turn for inner nut, then 150ft/lbs for the outer nut).

I looked at my tie rod ends and I can grab the tie rod and rotate it back and forth about an inch each way on it's axis. Both sides are like this so I'm not sure that's the problem, but it does seem like it's a lot of movement. Both tie rod ends are tightened to spec though and won't seat any further down on the knuckle.

 

[whissiswheelin]

bad radius arm bushings will give movement to the beams forward and backwards and bad ttb bushings would be loose side to side.

 

[Ruby4x4]

bad radius arm bushings will give movement to the beams forward and backwards and bad ttb bushings would be loose side to side.

Would the sway bar being connected lessen the amount the axle is moving side to side? In other words, would the noise being worse with a disconnected sway bar make sense if it is a bad ttb bushing?

 

[whissiswheelin]

maybe a bit yes but the sway bars basic purpose is to compress both sides of the vehicle in a turn as the body rolls