Ive noticed a slight noise like a thunk in a slow tight turn in my 97. Usually when im backing it out of the driveway and turning around. The vehicle has 112000 miles on it and I just had an alignment done and they told me the ball joints and such were good. Anybody got a clue of what im hearing?
cluck in a slow tight turn.
- Thread starter Ryan_289
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shootmymime
New member
steering stops. its a metal finger on the lower ball joint that is doing its job. while turning one wheel is forced to turn more than the other, what your hearing is that finger stopping the wheel from turning more than it should. ill try and get a pic up for you so you can see, you might even be able to see a mark where the metal on metal contact is, the thud you are hearing.
Its that finger sticking out front, it makes contact with the flat spot on your lower control arm.
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Doc2012
Senior Member
No disrespect [MENTION=14772]shootmymime[/MENTION], but that makes no sense.
The finger does, but the thunk doesn't. If he's hot constant pressure on the wheel, it would have no reason to keep hitting that spot.
[MENTION=102701]Ryan_289[/MENTION], in my experience, that clicking is your ball joints. I had hat for a while on my Tacoma, couldn't figure it out, and went to a few different places, and they told me everything was good as well.
That was until I was driving down the road and lost the joint. Hat was scary as ****. Took out my LCA and tire as well. That was a fun change in a parking lot.
Worst cones to worst, you change the LBJ out, and have good LBJs.
You can at least take that option out if it keeps going.
The finger does, but the thunk doesn't. If he's hot constant pressure on the wheel, it would have no reason to keep hitting that spot.
[MENTION=102701]Ryan_289[/MENTION], in my experience, that clicking is your ball joints. I had hat for a while on my Tacoma, couldn't figure it out, and went to a few different places, and they told me everything was good as well.
That was until I was driving down the road and lost the joint. Hat was scary as ****. Took out my LCA and tire as well. That was a fun change in a parking lot.
Worst cones to worst, you change the LBJ out, and have good LBJs.
You can at least take that option out if it keeps going.
shootmymime
New member
At a constant turn it should only click once . I have it hit when I pull into parking spots.
Doc2012
Senior Member
That makes sense. But what he OP is saying is it's a constant clunk.
Unless I'm missing something. :/
Mine doesn't clunk, but I never turn the wheel that far. Too much stress on he steering components.
shootmymime
New member
He doesn't specify if it's a single clunk or multiple in specific intervals. So until we get more information we are not sure what he needs to check his steering components.
If we are trusting the alignment shop. He says his ball joints are good.
Doc2012
Senior Member
Yeah. Just it up, hold the tire at 6 and 12, and wiggle.
Like I said, I was told by multiple people my LBJs were good, and then it came apart on me on the doing about 60 in a back road here in Jacksonville. Scary shit.
Also, if you replace the LBJ, just one less thing to have to worry about. Currently, I'm running the MOOG ones from Advance, with no problems. I'm going to change them with my taxes though.
Like I said, I was told by multiple people my LBJs were good, and then it came apart on me on the doing about 60 in a back road here in Jacksonville. Scary shit.
Also, if you replace the LBJ, just one less thing to have to worry about. Currently, I'm running the MOOG ones from Advance, with no problems. I'm going to change them with my taxes though.
TakeitApart
New member
Don't forget; if your LBJ is up against the steering stop when the suspension compresses or extends, you'll get a clunk or two, maybe even a grinding sound.
4'running'26
New member
It's funny but I just started experiencing this yesterday. I was fearing the ball joints as well and will only be able to change them in about two weeks (on the tod do list anyways).
My question is, if its the steering stop, why is it happening all of the sudden? Fairly tight turn, slow speed, one clunk: for clarification.
My question is, if its the steering stop, why is it happening all of the sudden? Fairly tight turn, slow speed, one clunk: for clarification.
shootmymime
New member
thats my kind of description! haha i think there is originally a small piece of rubber on the end of it, over time it wears off from being bumped and falls off. but its nothing to worry about.
drdolittlerwc
New member
Yes, if it is a clicking sound that almost resembles rattling, it CV's.
You need to make circles in both directions, may be one or the other, or both. things like that I change both at the same time so you have a date of replacement for both.
As stated in post 7 im 99% sure its not cv joints. It only makes the noise once. I usually describe a cv joint going out as more of a popping sound. The steering stops are the most plausable explanation. I havent gotten underneath and looked yet, we got some sleet/snow this weekend and I dont really want to get down on the wet concrete and look!
4'running'26
New member
I'm hoping for the same as you. Like you I only get one click.
Still doing the LBGs soon anyways. They make me nervous.
shootmymime
New member
If your doing LBJ check out my write up for replacing them. It can be found on the first page of my build thread in my signature on this post
