after i switched to my new tires about a week later i started hearing a knocking noise that is coming from the front left tire. there is nothing for the tire to rub on, ive already checked the bearings and they are fine. i just recently shot grease into the ball joints and i can still hear the noise. it happens at all speads while in 2wd. i havent checked to see if its there with the hubs locked. any ideas or opinions would be greatly appreciative
thanks
jayson

 

Your lugnuts are loose

 

thats what i thought at first but i just had them retorqued the other day and it still does it

 

Do you have this knocking or "clunking" noise going over bumps and pot holes? If so, me too. Still trying to locate the source.

 

did you change you rims to or just tires??

 

i changed my rims too. i went from 15x8 aluminum to 15x10 steelies

 

The wider rim might have inside wheel weights that are hitting the tie rod ends.

 

How do the front half shafts look? Check the boots on the cv's, maybe you gotta busted cv.

 

Did you get the right lug nuts for the steel wheels? Do the wheels fit onto the front hub correctly? (backspace OK, center hole OK?)

Have the wider wheels made a worn front bearing more noticable?

 

My '98 does this too but I'm all stock in the front end. Mostly noticeable at slow speeds over moderately rough road and tight turns. The CV joints and wheel bearings feel tight, I don't think that's it. If I crawl forward slowly a bit and brake...klunk! Then back up slowly and brake...klunk! It makes me think it's something in the suspension linkages or ball joints. Been doing this for about 2 years now and seems to be more noticeable in the colder weather. I would bet the bigger tires didn't create the problem, just made it more noticeable. Please post when you figure it out. I've been too lazy to tear into it so far and it doesn't seem to get any worse.