bfdrunner

Hey guys,
I have a 1997 4runner 3.4 I just bought it, and have just replaced the rear bearings already. Now I get a loud single "clunk" when i get rise in my front end. What I mean by this is when i come off a complete stop and accelerate, or he other day I was doing some ligt off-road driving, and if I came out of a dip and accelerated it would do it. I also get it sometimes it seems in left hand turn if im slow. Does this sound like ball-joints or something else.
Also note, I juiced all the zirk fittings the other day.
Thanks,
Jason

clydehatchet

sounds like a ball joint issue, have you jacked upi the front end to check them?

bfdrunner

I have not tried taking off the tires yet, I will probably do that on Monday.

clydehatchet

well you dont need to take the tires off, simply jack up the front end under the lower control arms, take a pry bar or something similar, and place the object under the tire at 6 o'clock, and manipulate the wheel up similar to the effect of the speed bump or pot hole, watch the ball joint and see if there is any lateral movement in the ball joint. the only movement allowed in a ball joint is a fixed rotation.
EDIT: check both LOWER and UPPER. you can check the upper by using the pry bar technique, and grabbing the wheel at 12 and 6 o'clock and shacking in and out while watching the upper ball joint. while its off the ground, grab the wheel at 3 and 9 to check for tie rod play.