[johnstangl]

i have a clicking noise in my front end when turning slowly left or right.. sounds like it’s coming from the driver side but it’s hard to tell. had the brakes replaced recently and they checked wheel bearings and said they were good. any ideas what it could be?

i was thinking a u joint possibly but don’t know where to start. i got 33x12.50” tires on leveled suspension.

 

[1961 Cummins]

Does it do it when not rolling down the road if so it is probably a ball joint.

 

[5.7 Hemi]

Check the tightness of the track bar.

 

[johnstangl]

Does it do it when not rolling down the road if so it is probably a ball joint.

yes going down the road is all normal until i make some type of turn at slow speeds. are you saying if it’s only when turning then it’s most likely a ball joint?

 

[johnstangl]

Check the tightness of the track bar.

if i remember i check it with truck on, in park, and have someone slightly turn the steering wheel side to side?

 

[5.7 Hemi]

Yes, turn lock to lock.

 

[5.7 Hemi]

You could jack up the front end and use a 2x4 under each tire and try to lift. If the tire goes up/down, it’s ball joints.

 

[johnstangl]

Yes, turn lock to lock.

turn lock to lock while i the same spot? my power steering can’t turn my heavy wheels while standing still, i thought you just turn the steering wheel until the power steering starts to want to move to put pressure on track bar

 

[jakeandkatiesdad]

Have somebody rock the wheel back and forth and go under and look/feel for play. No need to go to lock to check the track bar in my opinion. If it only clicks while rolling I would suspect the axle u joints more than anything else. It's kinda hard to check them for play while they're still in there, but I've used a pry bar already to push on the X and look for play. If they're bad it's pretty obvious in my experience.

 

[bigfish95971]

Welcome. Click, clunk or metallic tinkle? Lift kit? Other mods? Feel in in steering wheel or whole body/truck? Does it change tone or anything between 2x4 and 4x4?

 

[Hystyn]

Ive had my track bar make the same noise, ended up breaking off one of the ears on the axle for it. Ive gone through so many sets of ball joints but Ive never had it make a clicking noise like that. U-joints was the cause for the clicking noise the last time I had it - roller bearing inside broke apart and ground the rest into rust dust.

 

[johnstangl]

think i found the source.. i’ll try to link the video below.
trac bar doesn’t seem to move at all so i think i’m good there.

99 ram loose steering

youtube.com

 

[johnstangl]

Have somebody rock the wheel back and forth and go under and look/feel for play. No need to go to lock to check the track bar in my opinion. If it only clicks while rolling I would suspect the axle u joints more than anything else. It's kinda hard to check them for play while they're still in there, but I've used a pry bar already to push on the X and look for play. If they're bad it's pretty obvious in my experience.

had someone behind the wheel while i went underneath. track bar doesn’t seem to be moving but the drag link and tie rods were just clunking back and forth, like in the video i posted here. it looks like those are the only components with play. the synergy steering upgrade looks great but i’ll probably go with moog for the price. that’s what is on the truck currently anyways

 

[bigfish95971]

The rocking of the tirtods is becaue the ends are not both mounted pointing straight up at the same angle and the drag link is not mounted at 90* to them both allowing it to twist.

 

[johnstangl]

The rocking of the tirtods is becaue the ends are not both mounted pointing straight up at the same angle and the drag link is not mounted at 90* to them both allowing it to twist.

is that because it’s leveled? or how could i fix that?

i have aftermarket adjustable control arms and skyjacker leveling springs. both those caused the sway bar to make contact with the springs so i installed a drop bracket for the sway bar.

 

[bigfish95971]

I told you above how to fix it above. The tie rod ends now are at different angles to each other. I did that once and had to square it away.

 

[johnstangl]

I told you above how to fix it above. The tie rod ends now are at different angles to each other. I did that once and had to square it away.

oh i see, sorry i’ve never worked on any type of steering before. correct me if im wrong but if i lossen the adjustment sleeve up to mount the tie rods pointing straight up, wouldn’t that mess up the toe alignment?

 

[bigfish95971]

No you simply loosen both ends and readjust to apx 0 toe in. Adjusting should only be done with both ends of adjusting clamp loose.

 

[GSP7]

It is your U-joints on your 4x4 front axles making clicking noise, Get new u joints

 

[afterburn549]

Don't buy cheneeeeze ! or you will get good at doing the job !