I was using SWEPCO grease. Real good stuff, last in some insane high temps, gunky and good. Use SWEPCO products in almost everything (can't beat free)

Anyways, went to Ford (next door) and grabbed some of their "official teflon grease for the slipyoke problem" Started telling the guy about the clunk, he laughed and went to grab the grease. He said its VERY common complaint and they keep plenty on hand at all times.

So far, no noise, but the SWEPCO did the same thing, lasted about 3 months and was back. We'll see if this stuff is any better.

 

hmmm i have access to teflon anti-seize... maybe its worth a shot.

 

Ya, I have that, also have this Teflon coating spray... but decided to just use Ford's grease. I don't think the sprays would apply enough, in a thick enough layer, ya know ? But could be way wrong...

 

i dont like going to ford... lol i try to be self sufficient, not get bent over.

 

lol... gotcha. Ya, its free for me either way (good to have friends), but I understand where your comin from.

 

That is what the full size chevy's use as they have the same problem and they have a 100% success rate with the bouncy ball

 

sweet.... lasted about a month. Clunk is back....

gunna try and find out why its clunking, gunna try and find an actual solution, not just throw some grease on there...

 

I'm glad I caught this thread this time around.

I recently started hearing a thump type of noise that sounds like it is coming from underneath the cab and the bed. Even if I make a slow turn from a stop into a parking lot or a driveway I hear it. Does this fit the description of a bad slip joint?

Thanks

 

i have been hearing noise lately...especially after it rains and my undercarriage gets soaked.

 

Below is the best way I can describe it...


Basically, when under load, it makes a clunk, especially going from a dead stop. If I am already rolling, even at about 5mph, I can stomp on it and no clunk.

 

I had the 'clunk' on my 97 and what 'fixed' it for me was the Hellwig overload springs I put on over 7 years ago.. The stock leafs were so weak that I'm sure they had 'axle wrap' each and every time I gave it gas.. My clunk sounds exactly the same as yours and would only happen when I came to a stop and took off again.. Especially going around a corner..

I also had severe wheel hop. Anytime the rear end broke loose, especially on wet pavement I'd get the hop... Ever since I put on the overloads, I've had no clunk and have not had any wheel hop to speak of... I did actually experience some hop when I was running thru some deep sand in 2WD recently and that surprised me! I was spinning the rear wheels pretty good at the time however to keep from getting stuck!

I also found that when I was hauling a heavy load in the bed (before the overloads), I would not 'clunk' either... So, I'm pretty sure in my case, it was the wussy stock leaf springs...

Good luck!

Mitch

 

Thanks for the tip, and I will definately check em out. I also get some nasty wheel hop when I am getting on it, plus it would be nice just to have the extra over load leaf. Does it work like an add-a-leaf and go under the spring pack ? or is it one of those conmtraptions that go up above ?

The thing is, mine happens under more load. The heavier the trailer I pull, the loud/more pronounced the "clunk" gets. After a long trip, pullin my Samurai, the noise was much louder then before the trip, and stayed this way. Seems like putting such a heavy load on it, makes it worse. Also, when I grease the slip yoke, the noise and clunk completely go away.... for a month or so.

To be honest, axle wrap didn't even cross my mind, but with my added lift, and using the blocks in the rear, it might very well be the reason. Guess its time to start messin with it again, see what I can do. Maybe a Deacer leaf pack would be my best solution. Thanks for the idea.

 

Check out my sig pic. The second one is the overloads and they do attach above the spring pack, so they are not like the AAF deal at all. You can 'adjust' how much pre load tension you wish.

I never did tow anything before I got my overloads, but I meant having a load in the bed of the truck only was the only other time I noticed I didn't have the clunk.. I had about #700 in the bed. When I had about #1000 in the bed, I was damn near on the bump stops! That's what prompted me to get the overloads! Now, I can haul #1000 and only drop a couple of inches at most! They work great for me and I do feel they help with the axle wrap, because I've never had them hop on wet pavement after installing them.

Mitch

 

Didn't see you mention checking your U-Joints. Generally, they will be the first to go. I'd yank them (especially the front) to get a look at the bearings. I've seen some that look perfectly normal and felt tight until a cap was pulled off...to find broken and rusty bearings and grindings. Any time I hear a clunk in the drivetrain (especially under a load like you describe) I go after U-joints first and usually find a culprit.

 

thanks for the tip. I guess I assumed it wasn't the joints. They feel fine, only got about 50k on em. Who knows, if its them, its a sweet and easy upgrade to some CTM's or Bobby Long's.