Rattle up front? - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

winchster · 07-06-2010, 10:39 PM

I have searched on three forums and can't find what I'm looking for.
I have an '87 K5 that has serious front end issues. Stock tires, stock height, stock engine, all worn out with 390k on it.

The road walking and drifting I think I can solve by replacing the tie rods, and drag links. I think the frame is cracked at the steering box, and the dip that balanced the tires did a piss poor job because from 55-65 I have a severe tire hop issue.

What I can't figure out is, when I hit a bump, ranging from highway reflectors to speed bumps, the drivers side wheel sounds like a can full of rocks just got shook up. The truck has had manual hubs put on it. The spring bushings are shot too. Any help is appreciated.

tobiahr · 07-07-2010, 10:54 AM

that is a classis symptom of worn ball joints or wheel bearings. replacing the upper and lower ball joints at the same time as the rod ends will probably help with the drifting issues.

WICKITKLOWN · 07-07-2010, 11:29 AM

ok check all ur usual front end stuff ball joints and tie rods but what u need to check is the frame behind the steering box these trucks are real bad for cracking and snapping off right there try that let me know how it gose

justpball · 07-07-2010, 04:31 PM

could be the shocks???

tvblazer78 · 07-07-2010, 08:38 PM

And look at your dust cover on the back side of your disc.

winchster · 07-07-2010, 10:50 PM

The ball joints and other steering ends were on the list, I just can't see them making this racket though.

motornut · 07-08-2010, 10:12 AM

check that hub,they can be noisy/rattley when worn,or missing parts

tobiahr · 07-08-2010, 03:39 PM

not having heard it personally its all just guessing. i've had a rattle turn out to be the center cap of my wheel loose and rattle when i hit a bump. i've also had what i thought was the same rattle turn out to be a loose brake caliper. the best advice i could give would be to jack up that side and see if you can get anything to move with just your hands. tearing it apart and replacing the ball joints, tierod ends and other consumables would be a good time to search and see if you can replicate and at least check all of the other possibilities. the cracked frame would also make the same sound

07-06-2010, 10:39 PM	#1
winchster Registered User Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Fort Worth, TX Posts: 220	Rattle up front? I have searched on three forums and can't find what I'm looking for. I have an '87 K5 that has serious front end issues. Stock tires, stock height, stock engine, all worn out with 390k on it. The road walking and drifting I think I can solve by replacing the tie rods, and drag links. I think the frame is cracked at the steering box, and the dip that balanced the tires did a piss poor job because from 55-65 I have a severe tire hop issue. What I can't figure out is, when I hit a bump, ranging from highway reflectors to speed bumps, the drivers side wheel sounds like a can full of rocks just got shook up. The truck has had manual hubs put on it. The spring bushings are shot too. Any help is appreciated. __________________ '49 AD 5 window deluxe cab sitting on a '78 K5 chassis Support our troops, stand behind 'em or get in front of 'em. What country can preserve its liberties if its rulers are not warned from time to time that their people preserve the spirit of resistance?

07-07-2010, 10:54 AM	#2
tobiahr Registered User Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Lincoln NE Posts: 513	Re: Rattle up front? that is a classis symptom of worn ball joints or wheel bearings. replacing the upper and lower ball joints at the same time as the rod ends will probably help with the drifting issues. Last edited by tobiahr; 07-07-2010 at 10:55 AM.

07-07-2010, 11:29 AM	#3
WICKITKLOWN Registered User Join Date: May 2010 Location: Marana, AZ Posts: 12	Re: Rattle up front? ok check all ur usual front end stuff ball joints and tie rods but what u need to check is the frame behind the steering box these trucks are real bad for cracking and snapping off right there try that let me know how it gose __________________ 79 CHEVY BLAZER 454 B.B.C. WICKITKLOWN

07-07-2010, 04:31 PM	#4
justpball Registered User Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: Silverhill, Al Posts: 2,026	Re: Rattle up front? could be the shocks??? __________________ Fuzzy Dice Club Member 87 Crew SWB Build for the crew http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=430082 http://www.cardomain.com/ride/3232925 90 burb 2wd Build Thread For The Burb! http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=383055

07-07-2010, 08:38 PM	#5
tvblazer78 Low & Fast! Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Knoxville, TN Posts: 3,110	Re: Rattle up front? And look at your dust cover on the back side of your disc. __________________ Southeastern Mini Truckin' Nationals April 27 and 28, 2012

07-07-2010, 10:50 PM	#6
winchster Registered User Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Fort Worth, TX Posts: 220	Re: Rattle up front? The ball joints and other steering ends were on the list, I just can't see them making this racket though. __________________ '49 AD 5 window deluxe cab sitting on a '78 K5 chassis Support our troops, stand behind 'em or get in front of 'em. What country can preserve its liberties if its rulers are not warned from time to time that their people preserve the spirit of resistance?

07-08-2010, 10:12 AM	#7
motornut 78K & 79C Jimmys Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: Ottawa Ont CANADA Posts: 7,901	Re: Rattle up front? check that hub,they can be noisy/rattley when worn,or missing parts __________________ John 1978 GMCJimmy4X4-350/203 1979 GMCJimmy4X2-305/350 Last edited by motornut; 07-08-2010 at 10:14 AM.

07-08-2010, 03:39 PM	#8
tobiahr Registered User Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Lincoln NE Posts: 513	Re: Rattle up front? not having heard it personally its all just guessing. i've had a rattle turn out to be the center cap of my wheel loose and rattle when i hit a bump. i've also had what i thought was the same rattle turn out to be a loose brake caliper. the best advice i could give would be to jack up that side and see if you can get anything to move with just your hands. tearing it apart and replacing the ball joints, tierod ends and other consumables would be a good time to search and see if you can replicate and at least check all of the other possibilities. the cracked frame would also make the same sound Last edited by tobiahr; 07-08-2010 at 03:40 PM.

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