Lower Arm making contact with knuckle…

[GranPrix]

I have a 17’ LS lowered 2/3 on Belltech struts and a a Hellwig sway bar. Soon after the install I started noticing a slight clunking sound when doing a full turn L or R while backing or forwards usually on uneven ground. I checked ball joints, tie rods, strut sway bar and all good.

Today I noticed this on the back of the knuckle.



Has anyone had this issue? Could this be my clunking sound?

 

[GranPrix]

Is that notch supposed to go in the blue area?

 

[iamdub]

Glad you found the source of your noise!

Does the noise not happen if you back the wheel off of the turn just a few degrees?

 

[OR VietVet]

If you look closely, you will see that where the contact point is, the arm and knuckle are built up. Those are the steering stops. Gob some grease on those points and drive as before and see if the noise goes away.

 

[GranPrix]

Glad you found the source of your noise!

Does the noise not happen if you back the wheel off of the turn just a few degrees?

No it doesn't at all. I only tried it a few times though so I'm going to keep trying another day or two.

 

[GranPrix]

If you look closely, you will see that where the contact point is, the arm and knuckle are built up. Those are the steering stops. Gob some grease on those points and drive as before and see if the noise goes away.

I doubt that will stop the loud clunk. It's as if it clunks loudly when the weight shifts. I might Dremel it a bit to shave it down and smooth it out. I'll add some grease after and see if it helps any

 

[OR VietVet]

https://www.bing.com/ck/a?!&&p=e083ff08cfef0cf9JmltdHM9MTY5MTk3MTIwMCZpZ3VpZD0yN2EyZDI2OS1hN2IyLTZiZjMtMzhmYy1jMGRiYTYxYTZhNTUmaW5zaWQ9NTc3Ng&ptn=3&hsh=3&fclid=27a2d269-a7b2-6bf3-38fc-c0dba61a6a55&psq=steering+stop+definition&u=a1aHR0cHM6Ly93d3cudGhlZGllc2VsZ2FyYWdlLmNvbS90aHJlYWRzL3N0ZWVyaW5nLXN0b3BzLjEwODIyMC8&ntb=1

At one time, there were adjustable steering stops that were threaded with a lock nut and could allow more or less travel on either side.

 

[iamdub]

I doubt that will stop the loud clunk. It's as if it clunks loudly when the weight shifts. I might Dremel it a bit to shave it down and smooth it out. I'll add some grease after and see if it helps any

Grinding it down would just let it turn a hair further but it's still the steering stop. Changing the shape and smoothing it might change the severity of the noise, though. When the knuckle is against it and you accelerate forward or back, there's a LOT of weight shifting so it's gonna move and make a noise. You might luck up and make the two surfaces glide smoothly by reshaping and greasing them. My S10 made a loud "click" if I hit the gas with the wheels turned all the way. Apparently, it was a common thing with the ZQ8 models (factory lowered sport suspension). It never did it again after I lowered it further with aftermarket knuckles.

 

[GranPrix]

Well, I’m still getting a clunk and I’m not even locking the steering wheel.

 

[iamdub]

Well, I’m still getting a clunk and I’m not even locking the steering wheel.

Have you tried the wheels turned to maybe 1/2 to 3/4 of their travel, holding the brake really firmly and goosing the throttle? Try it in forward and reverse and with the wheels turned both directions.