Need help figuring out what noise is?

[R&L98EXP]

Forgive me this is long and this is my first 4x4.
I have a 98 eb 4x4 sohc. 97000 miles. replaced tires with yoko stock size, replaced shocks with edelbrocks about 25k-30k ago.
I have this weird clunking sound like the shocks are loose. Checked them and found top bushing on left drv side damage so i got new ones from edelbrk. They sent me both left and right sets. Replaced them both now the sound is still there. So I thought it might be the shocks. So I put the stockers back in but that made the sound seemed more obvious. Sounds like clunking like the tire is loose or axle.. I did a search and came up with possible cvjoints.. Do these usually fail. I checked the boot covers and they all seem to be perfect. How do you check if they are bad.. I also put the front on jacks and tried to move the wheels around to feel any excessive play..none.
So could it be the cv joints? and how do you check them? any other suggestions would be great..Thanks

 

[tbomb]

when do you get the clunking? all the time? during acceleration? during braking?

 

[MO_GUY]

are you sure you have the right shocks? they could be hitting the bumpstops and forcing the bushing to break off or push through the shock mount



EDIT: disregard anything above this line---------------------

what about wheel bearings?

 

[R&L98EXP]

i could hear the noise just driving usually i dont hear it at freeway speeds but i could hear it when i hit the small ripples in the road not big dips or anything just the irregularites in the ashphalt. braking doesnt seem to have any affect on noise.
on acceleration i dont hear it that much cause of the 2 chamber flowmasters in back

 

[R&L98EXP]

Originally posted by MO_GUY
are you sure you have the right shocks? they could be hitting the bumpstops and forcing the bushing to break off or push through the shock mount



EDIT: disregard anything above this line---------------------

what about wheel bearings?

Would i be able to tell by spinning the wheels and grabbing them to see if there is any play or noise while on jacks.? I did that but didnt hear any noises or get excessive play

 

[MO_GUY]

im not sure how to check bearing, i just put that out as an option, i once was told that it was most likely wheel bearings if it made a type of clunk sound when going over bumps...you may just need to take it to a good mechanic (not a chain shop) usually private owned shops are best and they wont give you the run around

 

[tbomb]

isnt the "clunk when going over bumps" typical of bad ball joints?

 

[R&L98EXP]

mo-dont really want to take it to a shop just yet..if i cannot find the problem i will take it to the dealer or reputable shop. I just dont wanna take it to shop just yet when there is possibly a chance i could save several hundred dollars by replacing it myself.

tbomb-i was looking at the ball joints. They looked to have seals on them and i cannot tell if they are worn.
How do you guys check if they are bad.
I took the x out for a drive down the street and heard the noise really good by letting off the gas and coasting

 

[Blee1099]

Do you know the last time the ball joints were replaced? I'm thinking it is also the lower ball joints. Does it also clunking when you make a turn or pull into a parking space?

 

[dogfriend]

No one has mentioned "driveshaft slip yoke"

check this thread:

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[R&L98EXP]

Originally posted by Blee1099
Do you know the last time the ball joints were replaced? I'm thinking it is also the lower ball joints. Does it also clunking when you make a turn or pull into a parking space?

I dont think the BJs were ever changed..how long do they usually last? I pretty much just drive the X on street with trips to the snow. Maybe that could be it. when i pull into the drive way sometimes i hear a clunk also.
How do you know for sure that the BJs or How do you check them?.

 

[R&L98EXP]

anyone know?

Originally posted by R&L98EXP
I dont think the BJs were ever changed..how long do they usually last? I pretty much just drive the X on street with trips to the snow. Maybe that could be it. when i pull into the drive way sometimes i hear a clunk also.
How do you know for sure that the BJs or How do you check them?.

 

[dogfriend]

Usually they go bad somewhere between 80k and 150k depending to a large degree on how you drive and what the roads are like where you drive.

Look at this thread for more info or search on "ball joint"

Dead Link Removed

 

[ipozestu]

Think I got your answer

I just had the same problem a week ago. You are in the right spot. I had two things done that took care of the problem. First I took it to the dealer and $129 later for the estimate they told me that the sway bar bushings for the front and rear had gone out. I purchased these for $108 for all the parts. Real easy to do!!! If you need the part numbers I can get those too. Second which I thing had less to do with the problem but was a problem none the less my front calipers were a little loose so I replaced the tension springs, Result...... No more clunking rattle or what ever you want to call it.