Clunking when turning

[Ewhitaker0020]

Hey! Took the ole 84 K10 out for a 2 hour round trip yesterday and I noticed when leaving the orange hardware store that when turning and driving there was a clunking type noise coming from the front. (sounded like driver's side)

I'm thinking this is probably my u-joint going to my wheel hub right? I looked at it and holy cow it's rusted looking. What do you think? I can get pictures if neccessary

 

[broketiredugly]

scariest part i would check first is ball joints. then its on to loose shock, ujoint, spring bush, loose rivets, etc. but ball joints first for safety. were your hubs locked?

 

[Ewhitaker0020]

scariest part i would check first is ball joints. then its on to loose shock, ujoint, spring bush, loose rivets, etc. but ball joints first for safety. were your hubs locked?

It's not the type of clunking that could be ball joints. It's a rotating clunking noise that changes directly with wheel speed on flat even pavement.

I have the factory auto hubs.

 

[AuroraGirl]

Do you mean auto hubs or all time 4wd. My dad has all time 4wd and a TERRIBLE clunking especially when turning and on pavement and its his front u joints.

 

[Ewhitaker0020]

Do you mean auto hubs or all time 4wd. My dad has all time 4wd and a TERRIBLE clunking especially when turning and on pavement and its his front u joints.

Auto hubs. When I'm in 2wd the front isn't locked in at all. I'm thinking it's the u joint right at the wheel hub. It's super rusty and doesn't look very good.

 

[AuroraGirl]

The u joint shouldnt be rotating I dont think. Unless I misunderstand how that system works. My hubs, unlocked, do not rotate the shaft(which has a ujoint) although the shaft still turns with wheel direction

 

[Ewhitaker0020]

The u joint shouldnt be rotating I dont think. Unless I misunderstand how that system works. My hubs, unlocked, do not rotate the shaft(which has a ujoint) although the shaft still turns with wheel direction

So you're saying the hub itself when in 2wd won't let the u joint rotate. I'll have to look at that. I guess the hub being unlocked wouldn't let the axle turn. It's pretty loud and just started. I wonder what else it could be if it's not the u joint.

 

[AuroraGirl]

The u joint should be able to move horizontally, left and right. but it shouldnt rotate forward or rear, I wouldnt think. Theres no power from the transfer case. Unless you are in 4wd and the hubs arent locked, then a shaft would turn but not in relation to the wheel. Unlesss LSD. What im saying is, if your transfer case is in 2wd, it should not be turning the driveshaft to the front differential. If your hubs are not locked, your differential in the front should not turn nor should its driveshaft. If they are, there is something wrong somewhere

 

[Blue Ox]

If the hubs are working correctly the shafts should not be turning. However, you may want to have somebody look at the axles or front driveshaft while you move the truck to see if one of them is hung up.

 

[Ewhitaker0020]

If the hubs are working correctly the shafts should not be turning. However, you may want to have somebody look at the axles or front driveshaft while you move the truck to see if one of them is hung up.

Will do. I've got to take it to a buddy's to have him time the engine, so I'll have him help me with this too. Thanks everybody for your help

 

[Blue Ox]

Another trick I've used when working alone is to paint a spot on the universal or driveshaft. Move the truck and look if the paint spots moved.

 

[Ewhitaker0020]

I went out and looked at my truck. I didn't have anyone else to help me, but I rocked the truck back and forth and the front axles weren't turning at all. So I don't know it's that rules out the front axle u-joint, but I guess it does.

What else could cause this noise? It drove fine while making the noise. It didn't shake or jerk or anything.

Here's a pic of the front driver's side u joint just for funsies

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[Blue Ox]

Lug nuts all tight? Does applying the brakes change the noise?

 

[broketiredugly]

you do need ujoints. see the rust expelled from the bearing cup! did your truck sit underwater for awhile? looks like barnacles. lol check brake caliper.

 

[Ewhitaker0020]

you do need ujoints. see the rust expelled from the bearing cup! did your truck sit underwater for awhile? looks like barnacles. lol check brake caliper.

I just redid my front brakes (the caliper pins were sticking, causing my back brake pads to wear all the way through. No, it has never sat underwater.