Clicking sound when turning

[hgeranium]

This is a pretty inconsequential problem with the truck, I’m just curious. I replaced all of my steering linkage a while ago and I am still noticing an occasional clicking sound when turning, usually when pulling into a parking spot. Probably ball joints?

 

I’ve done all tie rod ends, steering damper, and track bar. Sway bar end links and ball joints don’t look totally shot but they do look well-aged. 

[75sv1]

I'd look at the hub bearings or since yours is an '88 the front wheel bearings. 

[GonzoTheGreat]

One single click when you cut the wheel? Or a tick-tick-tick-tick-tick when the wheel is already turned?

 

When you did the track bar was there any play in the bolt hole on the axle end? That would cause the former.

 

If its the latter, I would look at steering u-joints they would have visible play in them to start talking to you like that.

 

ball joints don't often go bad without a lot of hard miles and/or offroad abuse.

[MiNi Beast]

Axle joint be my guess. Grab em and shake them they move they click get it fixed. 

[hgeranium]

6 hours ago, GonzoTheGreat said:

One single click when you cut the wheel? Or a tick-tick-tick-tick-tick when the wheel is already turned?

 

When you did the track bar was there any play in the bolt hole on the axle end? That would cause the former.

It’s definitely the former. I didn’t check that when replacing the track bar but I wouldn’t be surprised. Thanks for the heads up!

[hgeranium]

8 hours ago, 75sv1 said:

I'd look at the hub bearings or since yours is an '88 the front wheel bearings. 

Yeah I’ve never looked at those for as long as I’ve had the truck. Even if it’s not the cause of the clicking, it surely wouldn’t hurt to replace them anyways. Thank you!

[89 MJ]

27 minutes ago, hgeranium said:

Yeah I’ve never looked at those for as long as I’ve had the truck. Even if it’s not the cause of the clicking, it surely wouldn’t hurt to replace them anyways. Thank you!

I wouldn't replace them unless there is something wrong with them. Repacked originals will likely outlive new ones. If you do need new ones, look at Timken. Most of those are made in the USA.