Rattle up front?
 

I have searched on three forums and can't find what I'm looking for.
I have an '87 K5 that has serious front end issues. Stock tires, stock height, stock engine, all worn out with 390k on it.

The road walking and drifting I think I can solve by replacing the tie rods, and drag links. I think the frame is cracked at the steering box, and the dip that balanced the tires did a piss poor job because from 55-65 I have a severe tire hop issue.

What I can't figure out is, when I hit a bump, ranging from highway reflectors to speed bumps, the drivers side wheel sounds like a can full of rocks just got shook up. The truck has had manual hubs put on it. The spring bushings are shot too. Any help is appreciated.

Re: Rattle up front?
 

that is a classis symptom of worn ball joints or wheel bearings. replacing the upper and lower ball joints at the same time as the rod ends will probably help with the drifting issues.

Re: Rattle up front?
 

ok check all ur usual front end stuff ball joints and tie rods but what u need to check is the frame behind the steering box these trucks are real bad for cracking and snapping off right there try that let me know how it gose

Re: Rattle up front?
 

could be the shocks???

Re: Rattle up front?
 

And look at your dust cover on the back side of your disc.

Re: Rattle up front?
 

The ball joints and other steering ends were on the list, I just can't see them making this racket though.

Re: Rattle up front?
 

check that hub,they can be noisy/rattley when worn,or missing parts

Re: Rattle up front?
 

not having heard it personally its all just guessing. i've had a rattle turn out to be the center cap of my wheel loose and rattle when i hit a bump. i've also had what i thought was the same rattle turn out to be a loose brake caliper. the best advice i could give would be to jack up that side and see if you can get anything to move with just your hands. tearing it apart and replacing the ball joints, tierod ends and other consumables would be a good time to search and see if you can replicate and at least check all of the other possibilities. the cracked frame would also make the same sound