'69 K-10 Dana 44 Help

[palallin]

Hi, guys.

I've been out of the loop for over six months, now--my mother died; my wife left my son and I, and we divorced, so I've been very busy (and poor).

Anyway, I need some advice on my front end. My truck has the closed-knuckle Dann 44. Lately, it has developed a distinct "clunk" when I turn sharply while at a standstill or moving very slowly. It seems to be on the left-hand side.

There is no obvious looseness in any extenal part of the steering, and, thanks to weather, I haven't had time to jack the thing up and look for play at the wheel hub.

Questions: Does anyone have an idea of what I need to look for when I finally do get under the truck? Is this likely internal to the big ball joint? There's a U-joint in there, right?

Does anyone have a source for parts, should replacement of something major become necessary.

Additional problems: when the ex went in search of greener pastures, she took my other transportation, so I cannot afford a great deal of down time.

(For breadth of coverage, I am posting a similar topic in the 67-72 board.)