clunking sound near front end

[jmderyke]

i have a 86 comanche with clunking sounds in the front end, it happens mostly when going up hill and go around a turn or hitting washboard on dirt roads. the track bar is tight, but i can rotate the center link by hand is this normal for the tie rod ends?

[Jakeman17]

Mine does that too

[Eagle]

That's normal.

 

The clunk you hear may be a lower control arm. Or a ball joint.

[jmderyke]

normal? no it is surely not normal, maybe a common problem.

[HOrnbrod]

Eagle means it's normal on his junk. :D

 

Seriously, check the bushings on your upper and lower control arms.

[Oizarod115]

normal? no it is surely not normal, maybe a common problem.

think he was referring to being able to move the tie-rod by hand twisting it-wise... which yes, you should be able to twist it...

you should NOT be able to move it back and forth or move the tires independently of it.

:cheers:

[jmderyke]

haha sorry eagle i just wanted to make clear that this is clunk is far from normal. :yes: Yes it twists fine, but no sloppy back and forth movement. I checked the control arm bushings with small pry bar the rubber seemed soft, but i think should go over them again...... I was reading about bad control arms bushings on some polyurethane bushing site. If they are shot what is a better replacement polyurethane bushings or just replace the control arms?

[Eagle]

Clarification: Being able to rotate the tie rod between the ends is normal. If you CAN'T do that, the ends weren't adjusted correctly.

[jmderyke]

ok i rechecked the control arms and they only have little rubber flex, the center link must be to blame it does have some knocking when i turn the arm by hand