[78machowgn4me]

78 power wagon, 360-4, 727, 203
got hung up on a hill without my skid plate on (d'oh). checked underneath and everything looked fine, but now whenever i make a right turn, there is a hugh thud from underneath the truck (not continuous, just one big one), like someone pounded on the bottom with a sledge. it happens when i brake a litle bit and at the apex of the turn i turn the wheel a little harder, and then wham-o. it does it very lightly on left turns. motor mounts and trans/t-case mounts are fine, as i just had them replaced. any ideas

 

[IntenseImages]

check your u joints, especially the ones in your front drive shaft cv joint, also check to see if the axle u joints arent possibly binding

eric

 

[RXT]

Does this thud sound metallic or just a loud thud? Metallic sounds are likely metal to metal contact somewhere.

High centering a truck isn't always bad on them unless you have an aluminum t-case and the entire weight of the truck is resting on it, and BTW, you wouldn't hear thunks when you steer.

I'm making a guess here but check the body mounts. If you high centered the body, you could have popped a body mount but it won't explain why you hear it whenever you steer.

I would suggest you inspect the front springs and shocks. Look for a broken spring, bad spring eye bushings, or even a broken eye bolt in the hanger.

Check the steering box carefully, look for signs of cracking around the steering box on the frame, also check all of the cross members from front to rear for looseness or missing rivets especially under the radiator.

Lift the front tires off of the ground and while someone steers from lock to lock carefully look for signs of binding in the entire steering system, and while the tires are off of the ground inspect those wheel bearings.

Can't think of anything else at this time.

Ed

 

[78machowgn4me]

the steering isnt whats making the noise, its coming from somewhere underneath the cab. it doesn't really sound ping-y like metal to metal, but i haven't given up that option yet. the steering and axles are all fine, its the wieght transfer when everything leans towards the driver side during a right turn that makes it thud. looking under there today, i saw that the lower cab insulators aren't touching the cab support at all, and can spin freely. is that bad? i dont know if thats whats causing it, because they have been like that for years and this noise only started happening 2 weeks ago.

 

[Smokey]

Well, you've found it... Those are supposed to be bolted down firmly.

Now change that, before your cab falls off in mid turn !

 

[78machowgn4me]

i cant feel the cab lifting up at all though....?

 

[78machowgn4me]

i replaced the cab bushings, but the thud is still there. thought it was a bent echaust pipe hanger, so i tapped it straight, and now it thuds during left turns as well....

 

[BrianT]

check amna make sure u didn't manglke the front CV joint in the front drive shaft . I bet u screwed up the CV

 

[78machowgn4me]

crap, that sounds like it would be an expensive fix. ill check that out tomorrow, thanks.

 

[smoothedge69]

maybe your exhaust is shifting back and forth.

 

[78machowgn4me]

i thought that was it too, but the exhaust isnt contacting anywhere on the frame or the crossmember. could it possibly be the bolts connecting the manifold to the exhaust are loose?

 

[ramchargerrunner360]

check your difs and if that aint it check your fan shroud bro had the same problem

 

[IntenseImages]

check amna make sure u didn't manglke the front CV joint in the front drive shaft . I bet u screwed up the CV

read what i told him in my reply. i said the same thing

as far as cost, you can get the cv rebuild kit for about $25 or so and then the 2 new ujoints will be about another $25 so it isn't a terribly expensive fix

i only know this cuz my rc used to do the same thing and that is what it ended up being

eric

 

[ramchargerrunner360]

if none of the above is it check your main cross member it could have came alittle loose and it is shifting back and forth hitting the frame

 

[78machowgn4me]

took a look at the cv, and there appears to be some bare metal on there from it hitting something. how difficult is it to rebuild a cv joint? how much would a shop charge? last question (i promise), i know the "CV" stands for constant velocity, and it has two u-joints, but does it also have some type of spring in it?

 

[BrianT]

ya it's rebuildable man . might be like 200 bucks ot have a shop do it or a 100 bucks to DIY self . make another thread about rebulding the CV joint .