Front end - what to check first?
 

Just recently I've been getting some vibration and the occasional small "clunk" coming thru the floor, left side when braking. Otherwise the truck still rides fine, no pulling to one side when applying brakes, no weaving or wobbling in the steering. I haven't checked anything out quite yet, waiting for the weather to smarten up.

I'd just like some ideas on where I might start looking. A little history, 3 yrs ago I swapped the entire front end for a disc equipped 71 front end. After installation I took it to my friend's shop for alignment. They DID say I could expect the need to replace a few ball joints in a few years. But the symptoms I'm experiencing don't seem to be ball-joint related. Oh well, I'll find out when I jack it up and pull the wheels. Its a drag because this crap seems to only happen when money is tight. Hopefully it will be something simple like a loose caliper, :D .

Sounds like the same problem I have to fix on my 72 Al. I need to do my lower balljoints. It has the same kind of vibration and that same CLUNK . but who knows?? you might have an easy fix

If it is clunking, ball joints or a-arm bushings will be the most likely cuprit

ok, I went out , in the rain, and got my neighbor to rock the top of the wheel back and forth while I had a look. Definitely, upper ball joint on driver's side. A few more questions, Can I just replace that balljoint for the time being? when I replace the offending unit will I need to take the truck in for front end alignment? Like I said , money is tight. The cheapest single upper I could find costs $96.54 Cdn (Moog). Another distributor quoted me $153 for the same unit! How can they range so much? I sure can't afford a full set right now.

I've replaced just one before for the same no $ reasons without any issues, but you can bet that if one is spent, the rest will probably be following close behind.

:burnout:

OUCH! Those prices are :barf: As far as swapping without realignment, as long as the b joints were in decent shape at the time of the last alignment, you should be able to bolt the upper joint in & run with it. good luck,crazyL:burnout: