Hello all!

I have a 97 Dakota 5.2 V8 4X4 and Im having a loud CLUNK or POP noise coming from my front end. Im almost certain it is coming from the wheel well on the passenger side. I have recently replaced the UCA, outer tie rods, rotors, calipers, brakes and the CV axle (Torn boot) on the passenger side. All bolts were tightened to specs and I got an alignment after replacing all parts. I have checked all the bolts for tightness, and I cannot figure out what is happening. Wheel bearings are good, there is a slight bit of Left-to-Right play in the tire(inner tie rods) may be going bad, but I doubt it would be causing this noise. It almost sounds like there is something loose and it is shifting in place while reversing. Please help!!

Thanks so much for your time

How are your caliper bolts?

I'm almost sure the alignment shop didn't tighten the upper control arms bolds tight enough.

It looks to me when reading what's been done, and you're complaints after, that the 2 upper control arm bolts came loose.

I would check them at first, if they are loose, and you're upper control arm shifts back and forward, you will need a new alignment for sure.
So you should have a warranty if this is the case by you're shop.

Wouldn't it be better to change out you're inner tie rod's as well, if you've noticed they had a little play......

Brand new! Calipers were replaced

upper control arm bolts. Should be torqued to IIRC 140 ft-lb

I don't see lower ball joints or lower control arm in your list. The bushing can wear out on the LCA.

think you might wanna adress every bushing and ball joint before you go to an alignementshop, after those repairs, so i think you be fine at this point.
Investigate with the help of another person maybe if you can see something moving under there, but i would say the upper control arm bolts came loose after the alignement....

Lower ball joints are in immaculate condition. Is there a test to see if the LCA is worn out?

Visual inspection and try to move it up/down and sideways with a crowbar, while you have an axle stand under the chassis and wheel, either off, or at least up from te ground....

Isn't it strange you've never had this "problem" or noise or feel in the steering before ?

Just check everything related to steering and suspension, left and right, nothing more to it