Steering "clunk"

**Jojo** · 4th October 2011, 07:16 AM

Hi all,
I'm in need of advice. My Disco (300Tdi, 1995 MY) has recently received overhauled front hubs (which improved the handling considerably). Some time after fitting the hubs I noticed a leaking seal on the left hand swivel ball and a distinct "clunk" on full lock. On our annual RWC inspection the engineer pointed out the same symptoms and found some play in the left hand road wheel. He let me off with it, though, on the promise I'd rectify the situation immediately. I first thought I had to retighten the wheel bearings, but found these firmly fitted and adequately adjusted. I then removed some shims from the swivel pin and adjusted the preload, which made the oil leak disappear and the "clunk"-sound much less pronounced and henceforth appearing intermittently only.
I am now at odds as to where to look for the cause of the clunk. It seems to appear inconsistently, but only when on full lock, sometimes when turning right, at other times when turning the wheel left. Often it is more pronounced when the truck has been stationary for some time (the first thing in the morning) or when applying the brakes whilst turning the steering wheel. Occasionally it is possible to provoke the sound even when the truck is stationary and the wheel is turned, but this doesn't happen all the time.

Is there anyone around here who can and is willing to enlighten me? I want to get things straight before the cold season makes working on trucks rather unpleasant. White knuckles and cold metal are not the best ingredients for successful home tinkering... Ta!
Cheers

**Ivan** · 4th October 2011, 07:36 AM

I would check the wheel bearings are tight enough. Jack the vehicle up and see if the wheel moves while rocking it with hands in the 12 oclock to 6 oclock position. Also see if there is movement when rocking the wheel using the 3 oclock and 9 oclock position.

HTH

Ivan

**PhilipA** · 4th October 2011, 07:46 AM

My first guess would be that when the new swivel bearings were installed the installer did not drive one of the bearing races completely home and it has subsequently moved. This has altered the position of the seal, which is centred after the the preload is set, and will be placed in a different position if the swivels move. This is supported by your advice that you redid the preload and removed shims, which should not have been possible if the preload was initially done properly.

I can only guess that even after you redid the preload that a cone is still not fully seated and has moved again or it is "cocked" in seat. I chased a shimmy for a couple of years until I found a top cone on the RH of mine had not been seated from new.
Other than that other areas to look would be
Tie rod ends. - Have someone move the steering R toL with you hand around tthe tie rod end and feel for any up/down movement.
Tightness of Panhard rod mounting bolt
Tightness of leading arm bushes under the axle and whether they are worn out.
Regards Philip A

**Tank** · 4th October 2011, 10:45 AM

I would be looking at Panhard rod bolts/bushes and then tie rod ends, Regards Frank.

**Jojo** · 6th October 2011, 02:38 AM

Thanks all!
Pulled the swivels again, checked the bearing seats and found them alright, reassembled and fitted them back. Found that a bush of the steering damper had a split, so I sorted that one out. Checked all the bushes, arms, links albeit to no avail. Still a knock in the system. No oil leaks from the swivels, though. The truck steers perfectly and there is no flutter or shaking in the wheel when driving, even at high speed. It runs straight and pulls up straight when braking. It's a mystery...

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