96 2500 2WD, V-10, 5 spd, 139K miles

I bought this rig a few weeks ago. It had a clunk that transmitted through the steering column when going over bumps. I noted that the steering shaft was loose and replaced it with a Jorgeson unit. That improved it somewhat. Then I replaced the shocks with a good pair of KYBs (the old shock on the driver's side was trashed). No improvement on this one. Then I replaced the upper ball joints (lowers already replaced by PO). More improvement. BUT... I still have some clunking going on up there but not too much transmitting through the column. It's not bad, just kind of an annoyance. All the front suspension components are either new or in great shape, nice and tight. Anyone have any ideas? Thanks.
jor

 

maybe the steering column bushing??

replacement bushing

 

Steering column bushing... hmmmm... that does sound like a possibility. Thanks for the link and I'll see if I can find some instructions on it.
jor

 

check your control arm bushings. Do you notice any abnormal tire wear?

 

This happened to me my input shaft on my steering box was moving back and forth. Grab the steering shaft where it enters the box and see if it moves up and down.

 

i have the same thing going on with mine....then i tightened the shocks more, and it took care of it....the shocks are supposed to be torqued to 100 ft lbs.

 

Thanks to all. Let's see...

Column bushing and steering input shaft: I'm going to read up on this today. I found a how-to for a replacement column bushing deal. This sounds promising.

Control Arm: No abnormal tire wear and everything is tight.

Shocks: I just put in the KYBs. I'll check that torque but I reefed on them pretty hard.
jor

 

Check the sway bar links! If your truck have those, don't know but i had a clunk also on my Dak's front end and was a broken sway bar link!!

 

Reach under the brake booster and grab the shaft where it comes out of the firewall. If it moves up and down or sideways, the bushing is no good. Post #2 by FLUE provides a link for a replacement bushing.

 

The website for rocksolidram is no longer in service or has been disconnected.
But at least you get the part. I need to order one cause I have the dang clunk, just to lazy or too broke to order the part.