Ball Joints going bad??

[NAUBlazer]

Hey everyone,
I have a question about a clunk i'm hearing. When I'm going pretty slow and I turn the wheel(ie backing out of a parking space) I hear a little clunk coming from the wheels it feels like. It happens about half way through the steering wheel motion. Could this be my ball joints??
Thanks for the help
--Adam /forums/images/graemlins/usaflag.gif /forums/images/graemlins/k5.gif

 

[89GMCSuburban]

Only one way to find out... jack up the truck, take the wheels off the front end. Grab your hubs and pull up and down on them, if they move, you need ball joints. I just got done doing this job. It's not too bad, it's just getting off the lower ball joint, took me 20 minutes on each with an air chisel with pickle fork attachment and lots of PB Blaster. If you end up doing them, buy the balljoints at Auto Zone, they're Perfect Circle (Dana) parts. Good luck!

 

[NAUBlazer]

Thanks

 

[85 Shortbox]

I found it is easier to jack it up like stated before and once the wheel is 4-6" off the ground use a board under the wheel for more leverage. This way makes it kind of a 2 man job but it will be easier to get movement this way if they are going bad. If not you don't have to d1ck with putting a tire back on. Good luck.

 

[opfor2]

Also check the leaf spring "U" bolts and make sure that they are tight. My blazer clunked and I found that the bolts were loose.

Dan..

 

[NITRO]

my 1 ton p/u /forums/images/graemlins/truck.gifdoes this too. it makes a clunking sound. i figured it was just because it has 12" of lift. a BB, and 39.5" MT's. i guess ill check the u bolts. i dont have ball joints, so that can't b it. hmmmmm. got me thingking now

NITRO

 

[LIFSVR7]

Well, I am not sure if oyu have manual hubs, if not, then maybe it is like mine... Check the u-joints fromthe axle to the wheel.. I have manual, and the way I found out is when I had to drive 2wd (front wd) because I blew my spider gears /forums/images/graemlins/cool.gif /forums/images/graemlins/k5.gif /forums/images/graemlins/usaflag.gif