Clunk disappeared after replacing both front axle assemblies?

So I'd developed a front end clunk going over medium/large bumps in the last few weeks. When I first went to check it out I noticed that both lower CV boots had blown (not surprised, they were old to begin with and then I lifted the truck) but couldn't find anything that could be causing the clunk. Except maybe the LBJs, which seem a little loose but I had nothing to compare it to.

I figured I'd check it out further when replacing the axle assemblies. Still couldn't find anything. I greased the stuff that needed greasing, axles went in fine, I put it all back together, drove it over some bumpy stuff, and the clunk is gone. Clunk is still gone 100 miles later.

I didn't think worn CVs clunked over bumps. Any of you have any ideas?

Thanks in advance for any replies.

 

They will pop and/or clunk if they are going out in my experience.

 

^This is true.

Did they pop when you were going straight or only around corners? (especially tight ones, like backing into a parking spot)

 

See, this is what I thought distinguished a bad CV noise from the other things that could be wrong. If whatever clunky thing happens exclusively, or just worse when you turn, then it's likely the CVs. If it just happens over bumps, it's probably something else.

This noise had nothing to do with whether I was turning or not, it only happened when the suspension was working.

I'm thinking maybe the worn joints threw the front end beyond its tolerances and stressed something that's wearing but not worn so bad yet.

Or, it was just bitched up CVs making noises.

I'm just trying to figure out whether I have an issue I should be addressing here or if I'm just being paranoid because I had it in my head that swapping the axles wouldn't fix the clunk, and then it did.

 

Good thing is you can check the ball joints. CV's are harder to check. Start with the ball joints, they are relatively cheap too. Then move to CV's. I ended up doing that after my lift. UBJ's were very loose. CV's were bad too. Boot tore and I pushed it...

 

I replaced the axle assemblies and the clunk went away, I'm just wondering if I have a problem still. Like something that's worn out and only clunked when the CVs were worn because the tolerances changed.

 

My clunk came from a bad carrier bearing. Changed the u joints just because you have to pull the drive shaft .