Front end metal sound

I replaced my upper control arms and lower control arm bushings. After putting everything back together I went for a test drive and there’s a new distinct metal on metal clank sound. It only happens when I hit dips fast and really compress the suspension but it’s not bottoming out. I’m going to check all my work but I Was hoping someone on here has been in a similar situation and has some advice. UCAs are freedom off-road. Photos just for context.

 

How do your sway bar end links look?

Ever change your front diff mount bushings? Once they degrade the front diff can shift enough over bumps to hit your skid plate (that would be aluminum diff hitting steel skid plate - so maybe a possibility). Also the driver side bushing sits right below the oil filter. So almost every oil change results in some oil dripping down on the bushing, and this eventually destroys it.

 

End links are newish and torqued to spec. I’m pretty sure the diff bushings are good but I’ll give them a better look when I can. I appreciate the suggestion!

 

It could be the UCA hitting the spring. I've also seen the UVA bind before hitting thr bumpstops and make noise. If it's metal on metal hitting there should be some witness marks on where they hit.

 

My first instinct agreed with that. I looked for a mark of some kind on the UCA or coil but didn’t see anything at all on either side .

 

If you push down with your body weight and get the front end to bounce up and down a bit can you recreate the noise with the truck parked?

 

I recently replaced my coilovers and had a grinding sound any time the shock depressed on driver side. Could do it by hand, parked.
Turns out the shock is not perfectly centered in the coil and the spring was rubbing on the inside of the shock tower. I had to remove and rotate the coilover to get it away from the mount.

 

Good question. I haven’t tried to replicate it but I’ll see if I can later today. Thanks!

 

Could be really dumb, but I've bent the dust shield before while working on front suspension (it's super easy to do) and it makes a grinding noise as it rubs on the brakes, spindle, etc

 

The noise really only occurs when the suspension is compressed significantly. I’m familiar with the dust shield rotary scraping sound and it’s not that. Thanks for the response tho. I’m pretty stumped.

 

Here's a thought. Wedge some cardboard or rags in between the skid plate and front diff. Then see if you can still get the sound to occur over big bumps/dips. Still thinking it could be your diff mount bushings. If this little trick works, then that'll confirm it, if not, then you've ruled them out

 

Ok that’s a good idea and simple enough. I’ll give that a try later today. Thanks!

 

Radiator support bushings?

 

I would double check the torque on everything but those coils look a bit wonky, they hitting anything? It might be the pic angle but they don't look straight.

 

You ever find the culprit? Having a similar issue on gravel roads- dine otherwise