Different front end noise

[DarkMan]

I searched on this, but no luck.

I've got a front end noise that's not matching any of the previous threads.

I just took off my front sway bar, and since then when I make a right turn, like into a driveway, and the right front suspension unloads, I hear a sort of clunk or low pitch grind from that corner. It's like that metalic sound you get when you wrench a rusty bolt. I'm thinking it might be the axle u-joint, since it only happens when the truck leans hard to the left and the front right suspension droops.

I know the ball joints on that side are good. I just checked them the other day. I'm not sure about the radius arm bushings though.

BamBam is all stock as far as suspension, axles, hubs, etc. And this just started after removing the front sway, so I know the TTB is flexing more than it's used to.

Could it be the coil moving on it's mounts? I doubt it, but it's a thought.

If it is the axle U-joint, is there a way to test it without tearing the axle all apart?

 

[DasFrem]

I used to have a similar sound that I could never identify until I realized that it wasn't in the front end at all, but rather from my overload spirng hitting my gas tank skid plate in the rear. The overload leafs on each side would slide around and ocassionally thump it, so I put in some leaf spring clamps and it fixed it. Check the corner of the skid plate to see if you see any wear on it, it could be the culprit.

 

[DarkMan]

Noope. That's not it. My leafs are good and straight. (I had to chucke about checking the skid plate for wear. Mine's so beat and brused, I've probably got a 12 gallon tank instead of 18. )

So, the question still stands. What's groaning in my passenger front?

 

[MrShorty]

Did you decide if the radius arm bushings are good or bad yet? do you have the auto hubs or manual hubs? Sometimes the auto hubs like to show their true colors in turns.

 

[DarkMan]

Their original autos that have been through *heck*

I still don't know about the RA bushings. I found that if I manually lift on the bumper I can hear a faint rubber-squeaky noise, but that's on both corners. Sounds like the RA bushings might be moving around a little.