Clunk and Grind???

[scottmoyer]

Like many here, I've had a clunk in the front end when going over a speed bump with the wheel turned slightly from center. I didn't worry about it too much before because I ordered the SuspensionMaxx sway bar endlinks. I leveled my truck with Bilstein 5100s, added the sway bar endlinks and replaced the UCA with the Mopar leveling kit UCA. I was hopeful that torqueing to specs and making sure everything was tight would address this. It didn't What else should I look for. It shouldn't be the shock topping out when the wheel drops, but anything is possible.

Also, I get a grinding feel in the floor when turning into a drive and the truck flexes. It feels like worn out metal on metal brake dragging, but it only happens when the wheel is slightly turned and I hit a dip or enter an uneven drive. I can replicate it at speed by swerving the wheel side to side. As the front end dips down on one side or the other, the grind/vibration/rubbing is felt in the floor. Is it the Good Year Duratracs (AT tire) with the rough edge and I'm just feeling the edge of the tread vibration?

Any possible things to look for will not only help me, but possibly others. Thanks

 

[PurpleRT]

A cheap next solutions I say swap the swaybar bushings with either energy suspension or moogs that also is known to cause the front clunk. Any witness marks on any of the suspension components that indicate rubbing ?

 

[jl13]

following, same her only when flex.
I went under it once it feels like its coming from axle. driver side.
originally was thinking it was due to the sway bar touching the cat skid plate I have but a while back I took care of that by trimming the plate but the I still have the issue.
next up might be trying to change the swaybar bushings just in case. There is also TBS # 08-137-21 REV A. that wouldn't be a bad idea to go in for
To fix vibration/ noise when turning at slow speeds

 

[firemedic10584]

Only here to say I've got the exact same issue(s). Mine is a 2023 Laramie, only 5400 miles on it. I too am leveled with the Bils 5100s on the 2.1" setting. I've got the new sway bar bushings and the Suspension Maxx end links. While I do think they helped, the clunk is still present in mine, but not every time. I'm going back in for an alignment tomorrow in hopes maybe something there is off, but I'm not hopeful it'll fix anything with the clunk.
I did check my drive shafts on both sides up front yesterday and mine do have some play when moving them left and right, causing a clunk sound. But Idk how much play those are supposed to have. If you find a solution, let us know!

 

[scottmoyer]

I should state that I also had the driver side axle replaced due to the CV boot leaking. This was done when the alignment was done, so I should go back and verify torque settings on all components.

I've also been researching this and found a few possibilities. I haven't done these yet, but I'll make a list to document possibilities and if others have completed them and this worked, it'll be in one place.

Clunk:
1. verify torque on UCAs, top nut on shock, sway bar end links, shock mounts, tie rod ends
2. Replace sway bar body bushings
3. Verify caliper bolts are tight
4. inspect CV axle

Grind:
1. Check that no components are rubbing (I did this and I have no rubbing)
2. Replace front transfer case fluid
3. Replace rear diff fluid (heard that #2 and #3 are common issues coming from the factory without enough fluid)
4. inspect CV axle

 

[scottmoyer]

A cheap next solutions I say swap the swaybar bushings with either energy suspension or moogs that also is known to cause the front clunk. Any witness marks on any of the suspension components that indicate rubbing ?

Maybe this weekend I'll disconnect the endlinks altogether and see if the clunk is still there. If so, maybe the sway bar is hitting something when the truck articulates some.

 

[firemedic10584]

Maybe this weekend I'll disconnect the endlinks altogether and see if the clunk is still there. If so, maybe the sway bar is hitting something when the truck articulates some.

I did this already - my clunk was still present. Not as harsh in my opinion, but still there none the less.

 

[firemedic10584]

Just got done rechecking basically everything on my front end. Here’s what I found and I think I finally solved it. After taking a drive and hitting the same speed bumps in my neighborhood that typically caused the clunk, I had no clunks this time.

I found my driver side tie rod end quite loose. 2-3 full turns of the nut loose. I also made adjustments to my Suspension Maxx end links, which I may have not installed correctly when I put them in. I tightened up the center bolts that runs up and down on them, just so it was snug. Both sides were loose enough I could just spin the inner shaft/bolt.

I’m hopeful between both of those fixes, maybe the clunk is finally corrected.

 

[scottmoyer]

Ok, I just installed the new Energy Suspension sway bar bushings tonight. While under the truck, I verified the tie rods are tight, the SuspensionMaxx sway bar end links on top and bottom were tight, the brake caliper bolts were tight, the lower shock mount bolts are tight and the front body mount bolts are tight. I went for a drive and hit speed bumps at 10-15mph with the wheel slightly turned and "BANG". Still there.

Since I leveled the front end a month or so ago, I already torqued the UCA bolts and the UCA ball joint to factory spec. The upper strut mount bolts are also tight. I might recheck the top strut nut to see if I can get it any tighter, but I think it was already tight.

Next, I'll check the motor mounts to see if they're tight and still in good condition. I'm running out of ideas here. I know it's the front end because the clunk happens when the front tires hit the speed bump, not the rear.

 

[firemedic10584]

Ok, I just installed the new Energy Suspension sway bar bushings tonight. While under the truck, I verified the tie rods are tight, the SuspensionMaxx sway bar end links on top and bottom were tight, the brake caliper bolts were tight, the lower shock mount bolts are tight and the front body mount bolts are tight. I went for a drive and hit speed bumps at 10-15mph with the wheel slightly turned and "BANG". Still there.

Since I leveled the front end a month or so ago, I already torqued the UCA bolts and the UCA ball joint to factory spec. The upper strut mount bolts are also tight. I might recheck the top strut nut to see if I can get it any tighter, but I think it was already tight.

Next, I'll check the motor mounts to see if they're tight and still in good condition. I'm running out of ideas here. I know it's the front end because the clunk happens when the front tires hit the speed bump, not the rear.

I too am still having the clunk feeling, unfortunately. Described exactly the same as what you're describing. Can you describe where the motor mounts are to check? My truck also has a "rattle" when I'm stopped at a red light, I can feel it in my seat somewhat shaking around. I've read it could possibly be the motor mounts but really have no idea what they even look like to check. I tried youtube but wasn't successful. Any tips on that so I can check mine? Maybe those are loose causing both the clunk and the shaking feeling in my truck lol.