So for the past few days I've noticed an increase in a creaking and clunking sound from what sounds to be the front of the truck. I've read other threads about U-Joints, but don't know if that would be the sound I'm hearing.

Has anyone else had the same problem? If I get ambitious enough later this week I may try the Driveshaft U-Joints, and see if that takes care of it...

 

first thing to do is jack up each side and check the balljoints and tie rod ends and such for play. have you noticed any certain actions that cause the sound?

 

balljoints no doubt.

 

Mostly when at slow / idle speeds, thats why I thought U-Joints.

I checked the balljoints and they seem to be ok, I haven't had a chance to check tie rod ends yet (How do I?)

 

Here's my vote for changing the U-Joints as a Preventative Maintenance. It will probably fix the problem, and if it doesn't, it'll prevent a future problem for sure. Mine recently went out on my 2000, so I put some with grease zerks in and it fixed all my driveline noise/vibration.

It's possible it's your sway bar bushings creaking, also. Mine are going out, and it is only noticeable at low speeds/idle while coasting.

 

I doubt its a u joint if its coming from the front. Ill gaurantee its your balljoints whether it be upper or lower ones just pray its not the uppers and that you dont have the uppers with the balljoitns casted into the arms.

 

you check the TRE's like you would check balljoints, lift the tire off the ground and check it for play, you check the BJ's by grabbing topa dn botom of tire and checking for movement, you do the TRE's by grabbing each side of the tire and check it for movement (like if you were trying to turn the tire by hand) and if you think there may be a little play grab a pry bar and just pry on all the BJ's and TRE's, non of them should move aside from the normal turning that they are supposed to do of course.