Clunking sound

This thing is making a clunking sound when driving over bumps or even on the highway when the truck goes up and down slightly.

Are there bushings in there or anything that needs to be replaced? Thanks.

 

Most people take that thing off, you don't really need it.

Kidding, maybe you need a new outer tie rod end.

 

Have someone sit in the driver's seat and rock the steering wheel back and forth, an inch or two. Watch the ball joint and see if there is a noticeable difference in movement between the part with the red arrow (knuckle) and the green arrow (tie rod). These two parts should move as one with no noticeable difference. If the bottom moves and then the top moves then the ball joint is worn out. While rocking, listen for clicking or clunking in the components. Also look for unusual movement, they should move smoothly, not jumpy or clunky.


If that checks out then grab the tie rod and try moving it back and forth. Look for movement on the inner side where the boot is. There should be no movement in any direction there. It should pivot freely with suspension movement but there should be no obvious play.

 

Thank you. Should I just order new ball joints? Or entire tie rods?

 

Just the ball joint? Is that what you mean by the end?

 

Should I order two of these guys ?

 

Wow so much cheaper on Amazon.

 

Are the oem ones or moog ones better?

 

Are you sure that's the source of the noise? I've tracked down a few front end noises on my truck, that never turned out to be what I initially suspected.

 

I’m guessing so.
Last year the passenger side rod end flew off and I had to get a new one. Maybe the drivers side one is in bad shape too.

 

Flew off?, how many iles adn how much off roading do you do?, never heard of one flying off, in over 30 vehicles i have owned, i think i have replaced one tie rod end. i guess i don't keep them long enough to replace much...lol

 

How many miles are on your truck, and do you wheel it hard? With the exception of a really rough life, I don't think your tie rods should be failing on a five year old truck.

 

well I shipped my truck to the Middle East (lebanon) I off road twice a week but nothing crazy. The roads are so bad here you might as well be off road all the time.
Yeah man it flew off as I was driving.

 

I don’t wheel hard at all. It is about to hit 70,000 miles

 

Check for play in your tie rods before you go changing them for no reason. 70K miles with no wheeling seems a little light for both sides to have failed.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=brI2feYiEi8

 

Thanks.

I mean I go off road like once a week.

 

Wow. I work on vehicles that put in severe duty use and have only ever replaced a handful of steering joints. Failure is very uncommon. To have one fly off!!! That is impressive!

 

Ok I’m drunk and maybe exaggerating a bit. It disconnected while I was driving.

 

This video is unnecessary. Swapnostics is the only way to find a problem now a days.


Good video though.