Ok, did my front sway bar bushings....lower ball joints....front outer tie rod ends....rear shocks.... This got rid of almost all my known issues, plus a bunch of squeaking I've had. So I'm still noticing a "clunky" kinda noise...kinda sounding like something sitting loose under the hood or in the front end somewhere, that I only hear when there's wheel travel (even the smallest ripple in the road makes this noise)... My father in law (who's a mechanic) says it's the struts. Seriously?? Should I already need to replace those too at 45k miles? I know it may not matter, but this truck is just a daily driver...never sees offroad even though it's 4x4. If this sounds right, just say the word. Thanks

 

In a nutshell. Yes. Front struts are a joke from the factory. Get yourself some quality aftermarket ones (Monroe or Rancho). Knocking could also be the front strut mounts or "isolators" as they are sometimes called. They sit on top of the strut and act as an insulator between the metal of the strut and the mounting locations. Replacement of the strut mounts requires removing the strut, so you might as well replace the struts while your at it.

If you used quality aftermarket stuff (Read Moog) then your front end should be good to go now. Only other thing I might recommend is replacing the sway bar end links. Those are known to fail as well.

 

My struts were shot at 19K, went with Rancho struts. Put in the Rancho rear shocks too.

Best $$ that I've spent on my truck yet.

 

Come on man!! You know the superchips was the best money spent....

 

The tuner comes in second...but it's a close race.

 

Just replaced front/rear struts, upper arms, outer tie rod ends and sway bar links. I had the same noise you still have and I no longer have it, however now one of my lower ball joints is pretty squeaky -___-

 

I have to agree with everything said....

Here is a pic of a new upper strut mount (Moog 160049) next to the factory one that clearly failed.

754F2F2F-A2D4-4577-8E88-0CC61E7C696A-2025-0000019B5B404D0E.jpg

 

Check your upper ball joints while the truck is on the ground. DO NOT CHECK THEM when the truck is on the lift.

 

You nailed it... When I had some bad rattling going on I lifted up the truck and got under her at least half a dozen times and couldn't find a thing. But the moment I looked under the hood with her on the ground (with the suspension being compressed) I could clearly see the stem on top of the strut (drivers side) was sticking up a lot taller than the passenger side... annnnd Boom goes the Dynamite.

 

Awesome info guys....Ty! I always go Moog...for the struts I guess ill grab some Monroes to match the rear.....anyone have any favorite online places to buy?