Can't find the front end rattle...

[Badfish740]

I still can't seem to locate the front end rattle in my truck. I replaced the ball joints and put a leveling kit on and it seemed to go away for a while but now it's back. My hubs are good, and everything is (seems) tight. When I'm driving over an uneven road it almost feels like there's a gremlin directly under my left foot with a hammer hanging onto the undercarriage tapping the floorboard. The only thing I can think of is that the steering rod that comes off of the box and goes down diagonally to connect with the front axle has some play in it. How much to replace those endlinks? Can I do it myself?

[mschn99]

its going to be one of two things...

there is a very good chance you need new sway bar links. Those are the things that vertically connect the sway bar to the frame...

also..look at the front spring tips front and back....check the plastic insilators that should be between the two leafs at the tip to make sure they are not missing or broken...

[Blue01F250]

ohhh goodie - I have the same feeling in my truck - I'm sure the previous owner living on a dirt road coulda worn out all sorts of that stuff!!!

[SMKSTAX]

It was the sway bar endlinks on my 04 that were the culprits. They were shot. Truck has 62,000 miles.

[bigcountrysg]

Sway bar bushings I have the same problem. I need to get under there and replace them. They only cost 35 dollars at autozone.

[mschn99]

Originally Posted by bigcountrysg

Sway bar bushings I have the same problem. I need to get under there and replace them. They only cost 35 dollars at autozone.

bushings are not near as common as the sway bar links....

[bigcountrysg]

Originally Posted by Marc

bushings are not near as common as the sway bar links....

Yes you are correct. But you can replace the bushings in the links that cause the rattle. You can get all the bushings for the swaybar and links for 35 dollars from autozone. I got them just need to install them when I get everything else done around here and get a chance. I think they may have to sit on the shelf and when my exhaust gets here I will put them in then.

[99 Red Stroker]

I had the same problem. I had a spray bottle of rubber lube on the bench when I was servicing my truck. I sprayed all the rubber bushings and all the noise went away. My bushings looked good. They must have just been dryed out. I haven't driven it a lot since I sprayed them so I don't know how long the lube will last. Rubber lube isn't that high and it comes in gallon. I live on about 4 miles of gravel road and that was where I noticed it the most and the loudest. The rubber lube should help protect and extend the life. Just a thought and something else to try. It worked on mine.
99 Red Stroker

[willypscustoms]

try replacing the stabilizer shock thats what got rid of my knocking in the front end