Hi guys. Im new here and hoping someone could give me some advice. I have a 2008 3.0 tdci xlt supercab 2x4 with 277000km+ done.
I have a loud, and what sounds to be metal on metal klunking noise coming from the front.
I have already replace the following in the last 10 000km:
Upper and lower ball joints
Swaybar mounting bushes
Swaybar links and bushes
All 4 shocks (all rubbers and bushes in new-ish condition)
Front wheel bearings LH and RH
Tie rod ends
Both engine mounts

Above replaced after visits to a few different mechnics.
​​​​​​
And yet no one can find the source of this sound.

On two instances, I've had the vehicle on a lift and removed the torsion bars myself to release all the pressure of the front suspension to try and locate the issue (my thinking was worn control arm bushes). And still nothing has been found.

What do I look at next?

Thanks in advance!

 

How long have you had this clunking sound? Did it start after you had done some work to the vehicle.I'm sorry I don't have any wisdom for you.
What I would do is try and figure out which side it is coming from - then I wiould do it again with the sway bar discconected to see if it is still there.
sorry can't be more help - best of luck to you.
If you believe in something - pray for guidance :)

 

Hi SidSnot, Thanks for the advise.

I have found the problem, and I must admit I feel like some kind of halfwit.
I had the rock sliders removed and painted almost 2 years ago. When re-installing them, My dumb@$$ did not take in to account that they are mounted to the chassis, and I mounted them as far up as possible. The sound only start 2 or 3 months after that. That caused the rock sliders to have metal on metal contact to the body.
When going over bumps and potholes the flex between the chassis and the body caused the "Clunking Sound". In my defense, it was almost impossible to see until I removed them to have them repainted and noticed the sound had gone. Thus finding a perfect have moon shape indentation below the door frame just behind the mud flap.

Problem solved.

 

Oh wow, I just realised this thread is 4 weeks old.
I'm quite judgemental (*I wish I wasn't) and I think the halfwits are people who vote for seriously questionable politicians OR people who watch daytime soaps...

I am happy for you - it is so hard sometimes to find the problem - one reason I try to avoid electrical work.

And you are a pretty classy dude (like many others here) someone who screwed up, but is willing to share the lesson's learned in order to help someone else.

 

Welcome to the forum! Glad you found the issue and thank you for sharing it with us.

 

I also have a 'clunk' from the driver's side front end and have done virtually everything the OP did without finding anything. My question: what are "rock sliders" and does my 2002 B3000 have them?

 

Besides what the OP has listed that he has changed one other area that will produce a cluncking sound is the inner tie rods. Not sure what rock sliders are either.

 

In my mind, 'rock sliders' are protective things that peeps add to their jeeps rocker panels which are vulnerable to rocks. I can't picture them on a stock 2x4 Ranger/Mazda.

 

Hi mcruss,

I've just seen your post.
I believe we use different words when referring to rock sliders. To me rock sliders are heavy gauge metal tubes mounted to the chassis.
These then protrude past the cab, and run the length between the mud flaps. The purpose being to protect the bottom corner/edge of the cab from rocks and other impacts when faffing around the 4x4 track.

Referring to my initial post,
see the image below for clarity

GREEN = ROCK SLIDER RED = CONTACT TO CAB

Hope this helps

 

Yep, those are the 'things' I was referring to that people add to their Jeeps (and trucks.)

BUT, I found the source of my noise and it was related to the 'nut behind the wheel': loose left front brake caliper. I'm guessing I failed to put the last torque on the caliper after replacing the rotors and bearings. The truck is not driven much and it took a while for the bolt to back out just enough to let the caliper move (and 'clunk').

 

Beautiful truck! Glad you found the issue and corrected it. Also great that you shared it with us as it may help someone else as they search for an answer.