Clunking in the front end?

[jeepfan555]

I have a clunking in my front end, well at leas that is where I think it is coming from. It usually only happens when I am going very slow and when I turn the wheel pretty sharp. Like when pulling into a parking spot and into my driveway and stuff. Any ideas on what it could be, and how much to fix it?

 

[Bounty__Hunter]

Check the upper and lower mounts on the front track bar, as well as the swaybar endlinks.

 

[jeepmaster]

ball joints or u-joints? does it sound like theres a pop can jammed in there thats just getting crushed everytime you turn? thats what my u-joints sounded like

 

[jeepfan555]

a buddy is moving

It sounds just like a clunk, I was thinking it could be the universal joint?

 

[Junkpile]

Check the steering joints(U-joints that connect the inner axle to the stub axle). If it's that and you break one, you could ruin one or both shafts and the repair will be alot more expensive.

 

[Snitty]

what exactly do you consider a "clunk".... the word onomatopoeia "clunk" is the MOST used word to describe a sound from a vehicle

 

[jeepfan555]

Cut Soft Top

I dont really know any other word to describe it besides CLUNK but from driving it more I can say that it feels like something might be binding up as I turn or a hard rub of some sort. But what is wierd is that it only happends some times. I also noticed that it only happens when I turn the wheel to the right.

 

[Snitty]

if you were to reproduce the sound with household items... what would you do

 

[jeepfan555]

It’s almost like taking two wooden spoons, holding them from the handle, hold the two scoop parts together and flicking them off each other. That noise is almost like a pop/clunk.

 

[jeepmaster]

sounds like my ball joints...

 

[redrooster]

Check the bushings on the sway bar, track bar and leaf spring eyes. If that doesn't reveal anything then check the steering box to make sure it isn't loose. If nothing happens from there, then jack up the front end and turn the steering wheel and have someone look for items that shift or move. Grab the tires and try to wiggle and pull them. That may tell you if it is a ball joint, tie rod end or wheel bearing. Oh yeah, make sure the lug nuts are tight too.

 

[jeepfan555]

thanks guys, I'm gonna check it all tonight

 

[Snitty]

basically anything that moves can be a suspect in this case

 

[jeepfan555]

Just wanted to update you guys on what I found out. I realized from driving more and more that when I turned the wheel and it made a noise it was when the road was at an angle or when I hit a bump. So when I jacked up the jeep last night I found that what the noise was was due to my bump stop hitting. My springs are very flat and there is only about 1.5 in - 2 in between the bump stop and the axel housing. Looks like I can finally convince my parents into getting that lift I need to fit my MTRs.