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Rattle

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winchster

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I have searched on three forums and can't find what I'm looking for.
I have an '87 K5 that has serious front end issues. Stock tires, stock height, stock engine, all worn out with 390k on it.

The road walking and drifting I think I can solve by replacing the tie rods, and drag links. I think the frame is cracked at the steering box, and the dip that balanced the tires did a piss poor job because from 55-65 I have a severe tire hop issue.

What I can't figure out is, when I hit a bump, ranging from highway reflectors to speed bumps, the drivers side wheel sounds like a can full of rocks just got shook up. The truck has had manual hubs put on it. The spring bushings are shot too. Any help is appreciated.
 
Sounds like the shocks are junk, too. You should start by replacing all your steering joints, bushings, ball joints, and any other stuff I forgot. It wouldn't be more than a few hundred dollars if you do it yourself.
 
Yeah, about $400 puts all new up front. That's a given. Got any idea what the noise is from? I can't imagine steering linkage making this kind of noise. The shocks are fair, not shot, not new.
 
Check to see if your steering box is loose on the frame. If the frame is cracked like you suspect, it could be loose on the mounting bolts which would also cause it to crack. It could be making some noise from that area. You may have bad bearings if it sounds like a can of rocks being shook up.
 
Already tightened up the steering box. It was loose. Bad wheel bearings? or bad hubs?
 
If its a real fast sounding rattle, grab the shocks, and try to shake them up and down and side to side.
If you have the type shock with the metal cover, see if its loose.
Also look close at the top and bottom shock bushings when you shake them. Sounds like a worn out or completely gone shock bushing.

J.
 
Without experiencing it for myself, I am out of ideas.

I say check the shocks like fordum said.
 
If your ball joints are REALLY hosed, they can rattle too. Bad ball joints, coupled with bad tie rod ends and/or jacked up shock/spring bushings could sound like you describe. With 390k, I'd go through the front end and replace everything. Or head to pick n pull and just pick up a complete front axle, there's prolly one there in better shape than how you describe your current one. That would be cheaper/faster/easier than rebuilding what you have now. You'd just have to make sure you picked a good one. There's also craigslist and the for sale forums here and on Pirate. 10b are a dime a dozen. You can find them for free fairly often.
 
KidJethro said:
If your ball joints are REALLY hosed, they can rattle too. Bad ball joints, coupled with bad tie rod ends and/or jacked up shock/spring bushings could sound like you describe. With 390k, I'd go through the front end and replace everything. Or head to pick n pull and just pick up a complete front axle, there's prolly one there in better shape than how you describe your current one. That would be cheaper/faster/easier than rebuilding what you have now. You'd just have to make sure you picked a good one. There's also craigslist and the for sale forums here and on Pirate. 10b are a dime a dozen. You can find them for free fairly often.
Click to expand...

That would only be a good deal if the ring and pinion were the same ratio. If you had to regear, it would cost as much, if not more than replacing the ball joints, rod ends, etc. As far as reusing his old set, they're probably about as shot as the rest of the axle too. I doubt they would set up with less work than it would be to replace the ball joints and stuff anyway.

It may be worth it to try to get another axle though. Possibly less work too, especially if the ring and pinion ration matches your rear axle.

I think your problem is probably being caused by a combination of worn out parts.
 
Thanks all. I will be doing the ball joints and all the steering components to start with. Then I suppose it will be on to the hubs and wheel bearings.
 
IMO, I think it's easier to do the wheel bearings. No special tools other than brute force, a hammer, and a brass punch.
 
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