front end rotational clunk

[spotted dogs]

I've been up early researching and to no avail....last night in the next town away, heading home with the family and a truck load (birthday gifts and costco!) I hit the highway and a short time after getting to speed I started to get a prounced thumping....out of the front end..I thought I had a flat..it wasn't...I managed to limp to a weigh scale and get a tow 80km home... It is definately a rotation clunk, even coasting in neutral. No funny engine noises, tranny shifts into park, neutral OK..and nothing catastrophic is evident underneath (no visible breaks, leaking fluid). It is not a bearing..wrong sound...could it be drive shaft/front diff?..U joints..the back seemed intact...?
thanks,
P

 

[BrooklynBay]

Did you check all of the linkages, and shock mounts?

 

[Homerexplorer]

Did you lose a wheel weight?

 

[Turdle]

I vote front drive shaft
Look at the small rubber boot on transfer case end--inside the cv hinge- if it is torn, it dried out--not uncommon. You may need to drop it out to see well, as the tear may be hard to see with it in the truck.

 

[carlover]

im having that same issue on both front wheels. its very strange because sometimes it will do it and sometimes it wont. And i got the tires balanced so i know thats not it.

 

[BrooklynBay]

Put the car on a lift, and turn the wheels manually. If you hear the same noise while testing one wheel at a time, then you will know which side to look over first.