do I have steering clunk?

[trouttrooper]

OK, didn't want to hijack any other threads about this. I've read through most threads about steering clunk, but I'm not positive that's what I have.

First off I would define the noise I hear as more of a rattle than a clunk. Second it only happens if I have the steering wheel turned slightly to the right and going at a decent speed, say about 40mph going through a curve on a highway. In those situations I get a fast rhythmic metal on metal rattle for as long as the steering wheel is slightly turned to the right (like a loose bolt on something) For those of you who have driven on washboard gravel roads, the rhythm would be similar to the noise you get going over that at a decent speed.

I don't feel it in the steering wheel, don't feel anything through the floor. I've moved my foot all around underneath the pedals etc. touching everything I can reach with my foot trying to feel it, nothing. It SOUNDS like it's coming from the floor around my pedals or steering column but I can never feel the rattle nor can I find anything loose when I crawl around underneath.

It's been doing it for a few years now. Couldn't really say when it first happened because it's been so long. I'm not overly worried about it other than the little voice in my head that tells me that's not a normal sound a truck should make. Truck has about 65,000 miles on it so it's probably been doing it for the past 25-30k miles or so.

any thoughts??
thanks

 

[saratoga]

What you describe sounds like the caliper rattle that a lot of trucks have. When it does that next time, lightly ride the brakes. If it goes away, that's what it is. New caliper pins and rubber bushings will solve it. Driving on a rough road next to a fence or concrete barrier with your windows down will help you hear it better.

The steering clunk is most often felt when turning at low speeds into something like a driveway. Mine would do it when turning left at a low speed where there were bumps large enough to cause the frame to flex. The wheel feels like it's "disconnected" and clunks when you drive through the turn.

 

[RI Chevy Silveradoman]

Trout: Did you ever replace the ISS? Have you tried the clamp on the bushing to see if it helps the issue at all? I would try the clamp first and see if that helps. If it does then maybe replace the ISS with the newest version. I don't think you can ever get rid of the issue 100%. I figure that I solved about 90-95% of the clunk.rattle. I replaced the ISS and use the clamp. You may even want to consider replacing the white bushing (ball bearings) with the green bushing (needle bearings). I think the green bushing handles and distributes the clunk/rattle more evenly than the white bushing.

My clunk was like Grady described, almost exactly. Only when turning left at slow speeds.

 

[trouttrooper]

I don't think it's caliper rattle. I've ridden the brakes a little in some of the curves and the rattle is still there. It sounds like it's coming from inside the cab by my feet.

Never have replaced the ISS. I never hear any clunks or rattles at slow speeds like turning into parking lots which is what I thought was the tell tale sign of steering clunk. Haven't tried the clamp thing yet.

 

[Koots]

On my 2500HD, i used to have this rattle and the front end would feel sloppy, i'd even get a slight popping noise from time to time. I thought it was balljoints, pitman and idler arms, control arm bushings, etc...until i got to the torsion bar crossmember and noticed that my drivers side mount to frame was shot and i had almost an inch in play in the crossmember itself. I put a new one on and it felt like a new truck.

Now everything else is breaking so it's a bit sloppy again LOL Just figured it was another option to look into if the above suggestions don't check out.