Strange Noise

[dave2953]

I've been hearing a noise lately when I apply or let off the brakes. Tonight I had my fiance working the brakes while I checked for the noise and I can see the PS spindle pivoting forward when the brakes are applied. I haven't had it apart yet, but I'm wondering what would cause/allow this type of movement? What should I look for once it's apart? The truck has an '89 burb front suspension/discs. All parts up front were replaced less than 3 months ago. Thanks for your input.

[Longhorn Man]

Sounds like bad ball joints to me... REAL bad ball joints.

[dave2953]

They're brand new. I guess it's possible that they could have failed, though. Could the ball joint be loose in the spindle? I didn't get the oversized joints, and I remember that the regular sized ones went in pretty easily.

[Longhorn Man]

were they for an 89 burb, or for 68 c/10?

[centsless]

look at the upper control arm bushings. I have seen quite a few of them cause what you have described. Check the lowers also, but I suspect the uppers...

[dave2953]

Originally Posted by Longhorn Man

were they for an 89 burb, or for 68 c/10?

They were for the 'burb. I kept the crossmember for the 68 and everything else is from the 'burb.

Centsless: I will check those, too. I did replace them (upper and lower) but I guess it's possible that they went bad.

[dave2953]

Tonight I checked the balljoints and didn't see anything wrong. They also don't have any play in them. Checked the other front end parts and didn't find anything unusual. I did notice that there is only about 1/16" clearance between the rim and the tire rod, but as far as I know there shouldn't be any movement in the front end when the brakes are applied. I'm about what the heck is going on??

[jhow66]

"PS spindle"? Define. ( I am a little dense)

[dave2953]

By that I mean passenger side.

[corn]

Did you check the idler arm? Ive seen them when worn, make the passenger wheel move some...

[dave2953]

I checked that too. It was also replaced when I did the brake swap. Thanks for all the responses thus far.

[jhow66]

Originally Posted by dave2953

By that I mean passenger side.

Now you see how dense I am Check your control arm bushings-(where they attach to the frame).

[dave2953]

The control arm bushings are new. Should I check and make sure that the nuts are tight on the control arm shaft?? As a side note, I can now hear this noise whenever I go over bumps. I think whatever the problem is will find me before I find it.

[jhow66]

Yes. Also check the bolts that hold the control arms to the frame.

[68C15]

this may be way off but is the crossmember moving on the frame? you seem to have checked/addressed everything else.

edit; the spindle moves forward? the top, the bottom, or the whole thing? does it stop straight or pull to the left?

[dave2953]

It still stops straight; no pulling. As far as the spindle movement, if you were looking at the spindle from the P/S of the truck, the hole that the tie-rod fits into is dipping down in a clockwise fashion. I will check those bolts in the morning. Thanks again to all of you for your help.

[corn]

That's almost got to be the upper A arm.

[dave2953]

Well, I checked the upper control arms this morning and found the problem. The nuts that hold the UCA to the crossmember were loose as everything. Nearly all the shims have fallen out, too. It's fixed now, just need an alignment. Thank you all for helping me out. I really appreciate it! Gotta love this board!