left front end clunking sound. what could it be??

I was driving this morning and noticed a rythmic clunking sound coming from the left front end of my truck. The sounds is only present when turning right amd when i am NOT on the brakes. Ive looked in the wheel well and nothing is hitting but i have no idea whats causing the sound. Can anybody give me an idea of what it might be?? Thanks in advance for any and all advice.

 

Had the same issue on my 98...from what I found, it was worn steering u joint bushings. That may or may not be your issue.

 

Ball joints would be my guess, mine are currently clicking really bad!

 

Where exactly are those bushings? Is there an easy way to check to see how worn they are?

 

A clunk and a click could be two different things. If you clicking is proportional to your speed so if it speeds up and slows down as you speed up and slow down you may need to pull your CV's and check them out.

Also OP you may have the same problem if you're 4x4. Does the clunking only happen when you're turning? Does it accelerate and slow with your speed?

 

Yes it only happens when i am turning. But only when turning to the right and changes proportionally with my speed. I am 4x4. And it is a heavy clunk not a click.

 

Not real easy to explain, I could show you, but I can't link with my phone. If I get time this evening, I'll try to link something. Also, as another member pointed out, check those ball joints for wear. My 98 was in the AZ desert for five years, they really dried out. Finally failed catastrophically about a year after getting back to Cali. Good thing I was doing about five in a parking lot. The tire ended up on its side up in the wheel well. The impact of dropping the suspension a foot into asphalt was horrific, I dread imagining what would have happened were I going freeway speeds. Good luck.

 

My first suspect at something like that are your CV Bearings. Have you check the boots?
I don't mean to treat you like a noob but I don't know how much you know about cars so this is coming from a non condescending direction as possible while still trying to help you.

Check this thing under the front end if it's busted it's probably the bearings but it may some other suspension part so jack up the front end put it on jack stands and jiggle the tires around see if there is any noises or movement. By you telling me that it happens when turning right check the LEFT boot/half shafts first.

 

And this is a U joint check this for movement. This is the little pole looking thing that goes from the trans to the rear differential, the thing that the tires are mounted on in the back.

Edit: But because you said that it happens when you turn I don't believe that it is this.

 

WarHorse, do you happen to have a pic of the steering shaft u joints? That's the issue I had.

 

I was looking at my cv boots a week or so ago when changing my tired and noticed there were a bunch of cracks in them. No full rips or tears but definitely cracks. Ill check them again as well as the ball joints for excessive play. I have access to a lift locally so i should be able to get under it and check everything out.

 

Whoops I just read U-Joint. Yea I'll find one or take one.

 

A little bit of movement is fine, 1/4 to 1/2 inch, anymore than that is a problem.

 

Now i feel like an idiot. I know what a u joint is. I was just over thinking it for some reason thanks for the pic and explanation tho.

 

Ill keep that in mind. Thanks!

 

It's alright. Like I said I don't mean to sound condescending at all its just that because I'm not there looking at it myself and able to point things out I have to be basic and descriptive.

 

Here's the steering shaft U-Joint it's at the bottom of the shaft right at the fire wall above the pedals.

Edit: It'll have a cover over it to keep crap out but there should be little to no movement in the steering rods and joints.

 

No offense taken. Totally understandable. Thanks again for all the info

 

Look and see if there is any grease around them or on the boots. Like I said give everything a wiggle hands at the 3 and 9 o'clock jiggling side to side, front to back, in and out and do the same at 12 and 6.

 

I had the exact problem, mine would clunk when turning right, specially when going up a driveway. I read a thread somewhere where someone had the same problem and it turned out to be the lca bushings. I just finished replacing mine two days ago and haven't heard the clunk yet...will report back after more time. Btw, replacing the bushings was a nightmare, the sub cam assembly was seized into the bushing sleeve and had to be sawzalled out...even if that doesn't take care of the clunk, my whole front is a lot more stable now (bushings had 275,000 miles on them) and I can finally align the truck...