Just a heads up, before you go dumping a ton of money. I was experiencing the same problem and I found out it was a belt separation in the tire. I was experiencing the same symptoms as you noted above, a clunking sound only when turning. You might want to check those tires especially if they're the stock tires. Just rub your hand over the tread as you roll them. You should feel a noticeable bulge in the tread if there is a belt separation. I swapped to my full size spare and the clunking went away. Good luck.

 

Hey, thanks for the idea. But these tires are also brand new. Purchased them for the safety 5 weeks ago. There doesn't seem to be any bulges either. thx

 

Yeah no problem. Figured since everything you checked was nice and tight it could've been the problem. I've gotten two bead separations these past 2 months so its time for me at least, for safety reason as you noted, swap these 12 year old tires out for some new rubber. Good luck with your search. Hopefully it won't cost you an arm and leg.

 

Hey guys, still need help in diagnosing this. Been busy the last little while and have put this on hold. Again, please excuse my lack of automotive technical knowledge...

I'm still getting the clunk on right turns only. It's a series of clunks or hard clicks..... like CLUNK CLUNK CLUNK through the right turn. I can feel it slightly under my feet.

I've been reading a lot through the forums, and I have ruled out the ball joints. They're good and tight. From other posts, it sounds like it could be:
1- inner tie rod
2- rack & pinion
3- steering column u joint.
4- wheel bearing


For the inner tie rod, my driver side inner bellow boot / dust boot is ripped. I would think the problem is there due to dust and dirt getting in the joint, but I can't feel any play.

For the rack and pinion, I notice a little bit of locked play in the steering when I wiggle the wheels at 9 & 3. The whole column rotates about an inch. Here's a video ( you can also see the rip in the bellows boot in the vid): http://www.flickr.com/photos/anjp11/8687331720/
I do not know how else to diagnose rack & pinion, steering u-joint, or wheel bearing. Can anyone give me a step-by-step or a video link for diagnosing these components?

cheers

 

In case anyone's following this thread here's a quick update at where the problem is at.

Today I got fed up with not being able to figure out the noise and took it to the local mechanic in my town. We could re create the problem every time on every hard right turn but could not figure out the cause. He confirmed ball joints / tie rods / sway bar links are tight, and there is no apparent play in control arms.

BTW the "clunk clunk" may be misleading. It's more of a "snap snap" or "pop pop". It's like something is being held back and then released and it's snapping forward. Anyhow it's the long weekend now and we're out of town for a few days. Hope to re investigate this early next week and rack my brain on possible causes... I'd hate to just start changing the whole front end piece by piece until it disappears.

 

I am sure you have done this but have you jacked up the truck and spun the front wheels by hand?
Or put the entire truck on stands and put it in gear and let it idle. Of course be very very very careful if you do that but maybe it will help pinpoint the problem.

Also check to see if your brake pads are tight or if the springs are broken or weak.

ALso have you checked the wheel bearings? I don't remember if you said if it is a 4wd or not but it could be axle joints.

 

Hey, thanks for the reply. Yes it's been up and have spun the wheels. They spin well with no noises and no noticeable resistance. Brake pads are a good tightness and springs seem ok. It's not 4wd, only 2wd so no axle joints and it could be wheel bearings but the free spin makes me think not. And it only happens on loaded turns...

I'm starting to think that it's something a lot more steering related. Rack/pinion or column... I'll post some more info soon. Might have someone with more know-how take a look tomorrow.

 

Hmm, well is it a steady click-click-click-click or a more random like click(pause) click click(pause) etc.

Can you feel it through the steering wheel?

 

No it's fairly steady, only in the turn and only for a very short period of time. 3 or 4 clicks tops. I can feel a little bit of it through the wheel.

 

When you first turn in or when you hit the lock? I know these are probably odd questions but just trying to help. Two heads are better than one..lol