Tracking down those clunks

[ab_slack]

As I been getting things resolved on my 87 BII there is always something else in the wings.

One of the unresolved items are clunks that occur while driving when going over bumps or sometimes even with a change from accel to braking. I associate them with the front end, I am pretty sure. I can sometimes feel in the floor boards.

What are the likely cause and how to narrow them down?

I have resolved everything that affected the steering and now is tracks solidly.

Whatever the cause(s) doesn't react to small bumps, and really fast movements of the suspension.

I've thought it might be ball joints though I was told they were good by the shop when I had front end aligned and another shop as well.

I've thought maybe the radius arm bushings since that does come back and give a good knock under the floor boards. They seem in good shape.

Not sure what else. Shocks were replaced and that was some of the knocks since the rubber was gone on those.

When I have it jacked up and I try to wiggle things nothing moves, but I suspect whatever it is takes more force than I can impart easily.

Anyone have any tricks that might help identify source or other suggestions?

 

[swynx]

I have the same knocks. Its worse on ice roads. My buddy had them and it was his radius arm bushing. I suspect that's my problem too. I've read that's the likely source. 4.0 will problem chime in with greater advice.

 

[RonD]

With what you describe and the sometimes acceleration and braking clunks it must be axle roll causing the cluck so radial arms are most likely place to start

 

[adsm08]

Agreed. Radius arm bushings sound like the most likely culprit to me as well. It would take a fair amount of force to cause them to clunk, so small bumps are out, and you aren't likely to be able to find it by hand.

 

[black_demon69]

passenger side radius arm bushings are usually the ones to go out first

oh and yes i agree with everyone else. if when you do them and heat shield on passenger side is rusted out you can make one with a can just follow this thread http://www.therangerstation.com/forums/showthread.php?t=145753

 

[90longbed]

mine does the same thing.....that was my thought.... radius arm bushings

 

[ab_slack]

That was what I had been thinking, a visual look and they seem in pretty good shape, but I probably could take another look from underneath.

 

[swynx]

Mine does it when the tires lock up on the snow when braking then grab traction.

 

[70roadrunner]

disconnect the sway bar at the axle, test drive to see if it is part of it. I would suspect radius arm bushings, but you said you had it aligned. they wouldn't be able to align it with bad bushings