Truck: 97, x-cab, 4X4, IFS

So I'm usually pretty good with this kinda thing but I'm stumped as of right now. I have this clank or rattle over decent sized bumps from the front and can't find it yet. The truck is in the air currently. I can wobble the tire vertically (hands on top and bottom of tire) but not horizontally(other than normal steering play.) This would tell me that it is a ball joint, right? But I see no movement in the BJ's either side.

I've also checked the swaybar ends and they seem to look solid. Any ideas??

I would like to check out the wheel bearings in the process. How do I get the end caps off to check them out? I have the 6 nuts off but cannot get the cap to budge.

Thanks!

 

So after a little more attentive driving and having looked things over, I still see no actual failure of a part. However, I did notice that it happens more on sharp bumps, like a dip in a gravel road or a driveway entry, while the wheel is turned. I was not able to determine for sure if one side does it over the other.
I will try to diagnose further tonight or tomorrow. Still thinking its ball joints but leaning towards uppers rather than the lowers that I had already bought.

 

LBJs are a known weak point and have suddenly failed without warning. Have someone else work the steering wheel back and forth while you are looking underneath. Power steering rack bushings may be shot.

Worn control arm bushings?
Broken shock/spring, motor mount, differential mount, or transmission mount?

 

Have you checked the sway bar bushings? Just 2 bolts each per bushing...

My front bushing thread...
http://www.toyotanation.com/forum/60...end-links.html

 

The 9.5162 (zerk) and 9.5111 (no zerk) are 27mm bushing these should work to replace the 4x4 and 2WD regular cab T100's 26.5mm bushing. Use about 6 wraps of Teflon tape on the sway bar.

The 9.5164 (zerk) and 9.5112 (no zerk) are 28.5mm and will replace the 28.6 mm bushing on the 2wd T100 xtra cab and 1 Ton.

 

Can you wobble the wheel in and out much (pulling/pushing in line with the axle) or back and forth (pulling/pushing in line with the front to back axis of the truck)? That would suggest a wheel bearing. Look for movement in all 4 BJs first to make sure that isn't it. If you have the bolts around the hub end-cap off you just need to get the cone washers out, thats why the cap won't budge right now. Tap on the studs coming through with a hammer (right on the end) and they should pop out at you. WD-40 or similar will also help significantly, especially if the hub hasn't been apart for a long time.

 

The valance under the bumper might be loose , I believe that is what they are called. That was the problem on the one I had.

 

first make sure everything is tightened to specs, then drive to see if you here the noise, if you still have a clunk then do the recomended stuff that will show up in this thread.. just make sure you know all the bolts are tight and good to go.

 

I have a little horizontal play in the right front wheel but I did find the clank/squeak! I noticed that my steering stops were quite shinny and only one had what looked like a rubber cap. So, to mend that semi-temporarily I have lightly greased the heads of the stops and my noise has gone down considerably.

I still have a rattle in the steering wheel when I'm on uneven terrain. Like if I'm off road or on gravel and steering. It acts like the rag-joint is sloppy. I've checked about everything out, but I'm wondering if my drag-link has some slack on one end. This would also give me that slight horizontal slack in the right wheel.