Steering Clunk!!! Not clicking or mild clunk!!!

[isaiahspratt]

I've been searching this issue for a some time now. I have a 2004 Chevy Tahoe Z71 with 209k, runs excellent. I've been having an issue with a loud clunk upon tight steering at slow speeds and over bumps with tight steering. I've addressed the issue of the the steering column bearing, even replaced the upper and lower intermediate steering shafts with Dorman (unfortunately I found these to be a horrible fit, created more problems, so I reinstalled the stock shafts with better steering results). I took it to a local shop and Les Schwab for inspection, all of the joints and bushings are good... according to them... ball joints... control arms... etc. Everything checks out. I was advised that there may be problems with the shocks, replaced those with Rancho's, from my understanding either Rancho's or Bilstein's were used stock. Problem still persists.
Just to be clear this is a single, loud clunk under tight steering or with bump over tight steering.
I am also aware of the front drive shaft slip-yoke during these years, I don't think that quite explains what this particular clunk is. it is not a "pop" or continuous "clicking" sound, but one solid clunk when the wheels are turned in one direction, maybe a second when turned in the opposite.
Any ideas????

 

[OR VietVet]

Welcome to the forum from Oregon.

May be rubbing at the steering stops. You can see where the knuckle makes contact at the lower arm. Lube there with grease and see what happens.

 

[isaiahspratt]

Welcome to the forum from Oregon.

May be rubbing at the steering stops. You can see where the knuckle makes contact at the lower arm. Lube there with grease and see what happens.

Hello Vietvet,

Thanks for the advice... I'll check it out.
By the way, thanks for your service, Though I was never on a ship, I was in the Navy. GM stationed with ACB1 in Coronado. Where In Oregon? I'm in Southern Oregon.

 

[OR VietVet]

Hello Vietvet,

Thanks for the advice... I'll check it out.
By the way, thanks for your service, Though I was never on a ship, I was in the Navy. GM stationed with ACB1 in Coronado. Where In Oregon? I'm in Southern Oregon.

I am in Eugene and hopefully within a year will be in Florence. When I was on the USS Kitty Hawk CV-63, I was stationed out of Coronado Island when we came to home port. I was in as ship's company for 4 years and got out 8 months after the war ended.

Southern Oregon, meaning Medford or points north of there?

 

[Fless]

If it's 4wd check the front differential mount bushings.

 

[Burban22]

I replaced the intermediate steering shaft and the plastic bearing at the bottom of the steering column. That took 90% of the clunk and knock noise out but I still have a light knock|thud noise. It happens when going over bumps slow or even hard braking or accelerating from a stop. I’ve narrowed it down to inside the upper steering column. Guessing it’s a bearing or something. Haven’t wanted to pull the steering wheel and all that crap to see what it is. It’s minor enough I can ignore it most of the time but do notice and feel it still. 2003 burb z71 5.3 4x4

@isaiahspratt Have you checked your front upper shock mounts if the rubber bushings are good and tight so they are sandwiched together? A slightly loose shock can make quite a lot of odd noises.

 

[isaiahspratt]

I am in Eugene and hopefully within a year will be in Florence. When I was on the USS Kitty Hawk CV-63, I was stationed out of Coronado Island when we came to home port. I was in as ship's company for 4 years and got out 8 months after the war ended.

Southern Oregon, meaning Medford or points north of there?

Medford. I moved up here after I got out of the Navy and finished Schooling as a Pianist and Piano Tech.

 

[isaiahspratt]

I replaced the intermediate steering shaft and the plastic bearing at the bottom of the steering column. That took 90% of the clunk and knock noise out but I still have a light knock|thud noise. It happens when going over bumps slow or even hard braking or accelerating from a stop. I’ve narrowed it down to inside the upper steering column. Guessing it’s a bearing or something. Haven’t wanted to pull the steering wheel and all that crap to see what it is. It’s minor enough I can ignore it most of the time but do notice and feel it still. 2003 burb z71 5.3 4x4

@isaiahspratt Have you checked your front upper shock mounts if the rubber bushings are good and tight so they are sandwiched together? A slightly loose shock can make quite a lot of odd noises.

I did go ahead and replace the shocks, they were done anyway. I also tried replacing the steering shafts and bearing, which the replacement shafts were really loose fitting and made that steering clunk worse, I put the original shafts back on, steering is tight.
Somewhere along the way I dropped and lost one of those little lock nuts that hold the boot to the firewall and went on a big search to find a replacement. Carquest had a whole bag of them, #10-24. That was fun.
Anyway, the loud clunk is still there, it only happens on extremely tight turns at low speed. I think I might check the differential mount bushings next as Fless recommended.

 

[Burban22]

If noise clicking clunking changes with speed then it’s probably the cv axle. If no change with speed it’s not the cv. You could record and upload a video here or YouTube. May help us narrow it down.

 

[OR VietVet]

Medford. I moved up here after I got out of the Navy and finished Schooling as a Pianist and Piano Tech.

Gets hot there in the summer. Been there many times. Hopefully, within the next year, I am moving to Florence area.

 

[Joseph Garcia]

Welcome to the Forum from NH.

Lots of knowledgeable folks here who freely share their knowledge, experiences, and perspectives. Knowledge is power.

I hope that you will become a participating member in the Forum's discussions.

Pics of the truck, please.

You are already receiving sage advice from the knowledgeable folks on this Forum.

 

[BoatyMcBoatface]

Mine was the idler arm mount. I replaced both idler arm and mount. The new MOOG mount came with a remote grease hose. The OEM part is prone to fail since most people do not grease it since its a PITA to get to. They are both easy to change.

 

[ezc2578]

An old thread, I know, but I'll add what fixed it for me: The clunk was actually coming from my gearbox (a 2003 1500 suburban). I tightened up the adjusting hex (inside the 5/8 lock nut) on the top of the gearbox and that took the play away, and the annoying clunk. Finally quiet again. (Mine seemed to clunk more from bumps and shifting from forward to reverse or vise versa, and not so much from just steering.)