Front steering clunk help.

When I turn the steering wheel left or right I’m getting a clunk noise coming from maybe the steering column? It almost sounds like something is binding. Does anyone know where this could be coming from? Here is a video clip: https://youtu.be/YrEhe6E71Cc

 

Check your tie rods, ball joints, and control arms.

 

Everything seems okay. My control arms are icon uni ball. Not sure how to check tie rods but they seem tight.

 

As loud as that is you should be able to locate it with your ear....

 

You would think so but you can only get so close. I think it’s coming the steering column.

 

Jacked the driver side up and it went away. But on the ground it happens. Pulled off the end links of the sway bar that did nothing, but they are shot, so I’ll replace those for sure.

 

Control arm bushings?

 

UCA are new.

 

What about the lower control arms?
Miles on rack? Have you tack welded the steering shaft?

 

Check the steering rack bushings while turning. Just replaced mine and it sounded similar.

 

Truck has 68k. The lower control arms are stock. Have not done the tack weld mod yet. Clunk is louder than the play in the steering column

 

Are the slip joint bolts tight?

 

I just replaced the bushing last month

 

Couldn’t find any loose bolts

 

Ive got the same noise from my 2nd gen and didn't notice it until after I got an alignment after I put on my maxtrac spindles.

 

Have you found a source?

 

Still searching but haven't done much looking just yet Ill let you know if I find something, let me know if you do as well.

 

Well with some help I was able to lay under the truck while someone turned the wheel. To much relief I found the source. Seems as the skids got misaligned last time out wheeling. I removed the middle bolt on the driver side and that fixed the noise. Guess the bolt was bound causing a clunk noise from the skid as the wheel turned. I’ll drive it to work tomorrow and double check it’s gone.

 

I am going to have to check that out on mine also... the previous owner(s) of mine stripped a number of the threads in the crossmember that the skid bolts to and I drilled to the next larger and retapped... now I have a new noise.

I also found one of the inner tie rods was worn... it is a ball and socket and there was just enough wear to make a similar click. The other issue I found was missing and misinstalled upper shock centering mounts. This allowed the upper shock stem to wear a groove in the mounting plate.