Clunk? Thud?

[SUPER60omni]

I have a front end noise that im just not sure about. It had a noise like a month ago due to bad ball joints, no biggie, the truck has 65,000 on it. So I replaced all 4 ball joints and did pads and rotors on all 4 corners. Mind you I have been a mechanic for like 6 yrs. so im not a dummy. Anyways....... even after the ball joints I still get a light "clunking" sound or mabey even a "thud" when I go over some bumps, Not all, just some bumps. The sway bar links feel tight and so does the rest of the frontend. The wheel bearings are fine and so are the u-joints. Im kinda stumped on this one. Its not all that loud but its enough to annoy me. Im usually anal about my truck. Its my baby. The only thing I saw was the front shocks (original) have just started to "seep" a little fluid. Just enough to have the dust stick to them. Could this be the noise? I dont think it is but I could be wrong. Does anyone have any ideas or other common problem areas? The truck has low miles and is in very good condition for a 2000, so its hard to "see" something wrong. It all looks perfect under there.

[97stroker_roalin_coal]

to me that sounds like the u-joints of the front axel going in to the wheels have you checked their cause you said you checked the joing but its just a thought

[mschn99]

sway bar links can be tough to diagnose...if its a hollow sounding noise...i would think about them though even though they feel tight....

based on what you have told us, first look at the tips of your front leaf springs to make sure the plastic insilators that are between the two leafs arent missing or broken...then i would replace the shocks...they need to be done if they are seeping anyway....if that doesnt fix the noise, then i would put a coupld sway bar links in it...

[99dieselsmoke]

does ur truck have a lift?

[SCUFFY828]

Originally Posted by Marc

sway bar links can be tough to diagnose...if its a hollow sounding noise...i would think about them though even though they feel tight....

based on what you have told us, first look at the tips of your front leaf springs to make sure the plastic insilators that are between the two leafs arent missing or broken...then i would replace the shocks...they need to be done if they are seeping anyway....if that doesnt fix the noise, then i would put a coupld sway bar links in it...

i agree with marc

[91turbogsx]

I have personally witnessed a bad rear shock bushing cause a thud/clunk that you would swear it was coming from the front. Sound travels down the framerails. I'd replace your shocks. Then if that don't fix it look elsewhere.

[Tim the toolman]

Hey let us know what you find. I have a 1999 with same problem. I have done u-joint on axle ends and the sway bar bushings, but not the links - seem tight. Only on certain bumps and when braking do I hear it not a brake issue, already checked that.

[99dieselsmoke]

hey just for the heck of it, check your panhard rod. i had a 2001 f350, and every time i turned or hit some bumps just right, i would hear a clunk or pop noise comin from the front end. all it turned out to be was the panhard rod end the bolts to the engine crossmember was loose. hit it with the impact and never heard that noise again. just my