Front Suspension sounds like a jackhammer

[meeker]

Thank you all that responded to my last thread (slugging trans) I just added fluid and its much better.

Here's my question about the jack hammer sound my truck makes, especially while making left turns at moderate speed or sometimes while on a hill. It doesn't do it all the time, mostly only while turning left.

I have a 1980 k5 w/4" lift and 36" swamppers. It started happening right after I had the brake booster and master cylinder replaced!

Do I need to replace the bushings and/or suspension? Or can I get a leaf spring bushing kit to replace them?

Any ideas will be greatly appreciated.

thanks

 

[RIPPEDK5]

We all kinda need more info about your ride and your symptom.

Do you have part time or full time 4wd?

I doubt its a broken axle or u-joint because you said its only turning left..

Have you checked your backing plates?

Maybe check your U-bolts are they not strong enough and maybe there twisting

Is it jerking at all?

I dont think its anything in your pumkin..

Need more man

 

[meeker]

more info

Thanks for getting back to me. The truck is 4wd (even though currently driving with no front drive shaft) and does have blocks. Haven't checked the U-joints but I have noticed that the bolt that goes through the leafspring bushing is now basically flush against the bushing secured with a nut-bolt (I can imagine now being held in place with less threads) on the the passenger side. The driver's side leafspring bolt extends about half inch past the bushing/nutbolt.

I hope this can help you help me. I am fairly new to this and have limited knowledge.

thanks again

 

[RIPPEDK5]

Pics would help me more..

does it have blocks in the front?

make sure your bolts are tightened to proper spec or tighten sufficiently.. you should also have sufficient bolt length, although I dont think it should make too much noise...

something seems loose, to make a rattle/jack hammer noise


does your truck have full time 4wd or part time? (like non manual locking hubs, 203 t-case, "4 hi, 4 lock etc) or do you turn the hubs manually

A drive shaft would be good to have in the front..

how about better description of noise..jackhammer? is it loud or quiet, sound like metal on metal?


sorry need more

 

[meeker]

oh boy

Let's see, it does have manual locking hubs, the blocks are in the front and rear (not sure right now about rear, bur definate on front). I guess since I don't have a drive shaft the u-bolts are out of the question. It is a part time 4WD.

I got brake work done but I doubt they messed with the front brakes since it was a booster/mas.cylinder replacement job. I did replace the pads on the rear drum brakes recently.

I will check for tightness all around tomorrow (am at work now)....I think that's about it.

By the way I will be switching to a 6 in actual suspension lift kit hopefully by the end of summer.

 

[readymix]

Blocks in the front are dangerous. Please remove them.

The noise could be caused by anything. Have someone turn the tires back and forth while you are watching the steering and suspension components. You might find something out of wack.

Again. Loose the front blocks.

 

[meeker]

No front bloxs

Oops, my mistake, I do not have blocks in the front only in the rear. I couldn't keep running out of work to check these and I just got the truck...still not too familiar with it.

But think you very much for your help. I will jack it up and inspect anything that could become loose and will turn the tires. Hopefully it is just a loose part.


Thanks again

 

[readymix]

Don't jack it up when you check it. It will be easier to find the bad part with resistance on them.

 

[lectric80]

Something really common, at least with the 80's (I know for a fact) and many other Chev's is the bushing in the caliper will wear out. It can cause a metal on metal sound, and if you can duplicate it, try pressing on the brakes just a little. If the sound stops, you have just found the problem. On mine it would only do it while turning right, and I replaced the right caliper with a new semi-loaded one, and no more noise. Just an idea for testing of course.