Clunk/ rattle steering or suspension

[Tahoe everything]

Doesn't matter if I've been driving for hours or UST started it up and put it in drive or reverse .... When I go over the slightest bump or crack in the road at low speeds I hear a clunk or maybe a rattle in the front end it sounds like... Also in the rear end sounds like a rattle or clunk...

My thoughts for the front end noise - something to do with the gear box ? Or CV axle ?

My thoughts on the rear end - emergency brake ? Slide bolts ? Rear end sway bar links ?

What I have replaced on the Tahoe includes the following.... Idler arm / Pittman arm/ upper lower ball joints both sides / tie rods both sides / hub assembly passenger side ( driver side shows no worn ) u joints front and reae/ intermediate steering shaft / steering shaft bearing ( inside the cab ) shocks / transmission mount ...

I might be missing something...

I did play with the steering shaft under the hood yesterday and could hear a clunk when turning it sounds like it's my gear box ? I can also feel a very small vibration in my steering wheel sometimes when touching my breaks.

I'm at a total loss hear and need some advice. I invested to much in this vehicle to have these little problems . I love the hoe and want to drive it until it blows up and then I want to restore it lol.

Please please help.

Thank you

 

[JollyRoger01]

Check your brake pad hardware, sway bar bushings and endlinks.

Also, I recently had a NBS in with a clunking sound that ended up being the fender brace on the left side. The one that runs across the battery. Make sure it's tight.

 

[Tahoe everything]

Check your brake pad hardware, sway bar bushings and endlinks.

Also, I recently had a NBS in with a clunking sound that ended up being the fender brace on the left side. The one that runs across the battery. Make sure it's tight.

Thank you I will check these out

 

[Doubeleive]

a couple other things to check is the cross member frame support is known to make a clunk noise (there is a tsb on it), the fix is to replace or remove and swap the bolts and re-torque, mine used to do it anytime anyone worked on the truck it had to be re tightened, also the rear bar that bolts up at an angle right behind the rear diff can make a clunk, make sure it is very tight and/or replace it mine was worn out and the clunk went away when I replaced it with a new one I think they run about $65.00

I also had a probably rare issue where the upper control arm bolt had been loose and it wore a egg shaped hole in the frame, making a clunk, my fix was to weld a very thick washer in place on the frame as the control arm bolt was long enough to do this, so check to be sure your control arm bolts are tightened properly as well. that one was a tricky one because it had been that way for a long time and you really couldn't tell or see it until it had worn a big enough spot to notice.

 

[Rocket Man]

I am surprised you haven't checked the swaybars and their bushings and endlinks.

 

[Jlaughtr]

Doesn't matter if I've been driving for hours or UST started it up and put it in drive or reverse .... When I go over the slightest bump or crack in the road at low speeds I hear a clunk or maybe a rattle in the front end it sounds like... Also in the rear end sounds like a rattle or clunk...

My thoughts for the front end noise - something to do with the gear box ? Or CV axle ?

My thoughts on the rear end - emergency brake ? Slide bolts ? Rear end sway bar links ?

What I have replaced on the Tahoe includes the following.... Idler arm / Pittman arm/ upper lower ball joints both sides / tie rods both sides / hub assembly passenger side ( driver side shows no worn ) u joints front and reae/ intermediate steering shaft / steering shaft bearing ( inside the cab ) shocks / transmission mount ...

I might be missing something...

I did play with the steering shaft under the hood yesterday and could hear a clunk when turning it sounds like it's my gear box ? I can also feel a very small vibration in my steering wheel sometimes when touching my breaks.

I'm at a total loss hear and need some advice. I invested to much in this vehicle to have these little problems . I love the hoe and want to drive it until it blows up and then I want to restore it lol.

Please please help.

Thank you

I have a rattle in the passenger front. I just had all the front suspension freshened up (all new bushings/UCA/ball joints etc) so i know its not suspension related. Also had the front wheel bearing replaced so it rules that out. I haven't the slightest idea either. Sound like a lose piece of metal rattling.

Looks like I will be checking the fender brace and cross member frame support

 

[Justinj360]

It sounds like you're having the same clunking issue as me. I first noticed it a few years ago after I had a leveling kit installed (2" spacers in the rear, 3" keys in the front) so I thought it might be because of that. Later on I figured it was ball joints/tie rods and they needed replaced anyway so I changed those. I've also replaced sway bar end links recently too. Pitman and idler arms are next on my list because I know those are very bad. I still have the same sound coming from the front driver's area near the steering box. As well as the similar clunking noise coming from the rear but I'm not as worried about that one. The clunking in the front sounds really bad, like there's a very loose bolt or two somewhere...

I recently drove my brother's 99 Silverado 1500 for a few days and his truck does not make that sound even though the suspension is nearly identical to my 2004 Yukon's suspension. His has 30k less miles than mine but has a completely stock suspension. I thought that was weird.
Let us know if you figure it out!

 

[Justinj360]

So my issue turned out to be my shocks/shock extenders for my leveling kit. One of the bolts for the extenders was loose. Also, I recently found out the Monroe shocks I was using weren't the right ones for my truck. They bolted up and everything but they weren't compatible with my "premium smooth ride suspension". I changed the shocks to Bilstein 5100s which are made for mild lifts and the clunking went away.

 

[Rocket Man]

So my issue turned out to be my shocks/shock extenders for my leveling kit. One of the bolts for the extenders was loose. Also, I recently found out the Monroe shocks I was using weren't the right ones for my truck. They bolted up and everything but they weren't compatible with my "premium smooth ride suspension". I changed the shocks to Bilstein 5100s which are made for mild lifts and the clunking went away.

5100's are great shocks. Anything Bilstein makes is great.

 

[Justinj360]

5100's are great shocks. Anything Bilstein makes is great.

This is my first time will Bilsteins and man what a difference on the first ride! Although to be fair the shocks I was using before weren't quite right for my truck.