front end "clunking noise" HJ75

Alex
Don't know what it will be with a HJ75 but I had a similar noise (in one direction only) on a Navara ute some years back. Checked visually and couldn't find anything - couple of days later steering into a corner and my steering wheel decided to 'free wheel' - I kid you not the steering shaft flat out broke.

well mate you might be in luck ive had this clunking noise in my triton for a bit now thought it was the spare wheel rattleing but no thought it was heaps it only happens when its wet turns out its the retaining clips on the leaf suspension. i deadset only found it tonight after its been raining and i went for a spin. i dont know if this is it but occasionally it sounded like it was coming from the front of my triton. i dont know whats annoying me more no knowing thenoise or paying 35k for a ute and having annoying noise it like that.

stand in front of your fourby get someone to turn the steering wheel side to side and check front shackles for movement seen it plenty.
there might not be up and down movement but some side ways.
and good luck squeeks ect are the worst thing to findlooking foward to september(landcruiser park/fraser island)

Hi Alex if you do a search back about a month in this forum there was another thread about this problem in HJ75 utes and troopies. I hve owned 5 HJ/HZJ75 series vehicles and I have had this problem with all of them. I drive a really windy road to work 40ks every day and they have all done it after a while. Happens with the 60 series too. It could be one of a few things (not many of them major).

Worn steering dampener. Take it off and try it while carefully driving. Replace if bung.
Shocker a bit sticky or worn. Replace front shockers.
The most common cause is the front springs. Leaf dividers may be worn. Replace if this is the case. The last lead in this forum had a heap of spring related causes of your problem so type in hj75 and do a search. It should be easy to get the answer from this forum.

I dont think that the front end will fall apart however if it has done a heap of kms, been in salt water or on the beach then you should get it checked by an expert. Hope this helps Andy

Assuming its not your CV joints, i would check the spring mounts on the chassis as i had a similar problem with my Hilux.
I found the spring mount was not welded to the chassis on one side from factory.......not happy !

Or mayby just worn spring bushes.

Kev.

Check post 5038 it should give you the answer

I've got 97 troopy and mine only does it when the springs are wet, no noise at all
when dry. seems to be some very minor movement in the leaves which gets noisy when wet. I've checked everything and all looks ok. Give them a hose, clunk clunk
clunk, let them dry out and it's gone.

Thanks to everyone for taking the time respond with some great advice.
Andy’s tip to look up post 5038 gave me a heap more info and looks like it is a common problem with the spring pack.
Once again thanks heaps
Cheers
Alex

Some one has already mentioned it but just to agree, check your bushes. get a tyre lever and check for movement as well as checking to see if the spring has sideways movt. on the bush as someone turns the wheel. This is the most common cause of what you describe. If it is the bushes and you go off road you should look into aftermarket greasable shackles with nolathane bushes.

alex i had a mwb landcruiser 75 series and i got a clunk from the front when wet. found the problem was the springs were sliding sideways in the hangars

Apparently the noise is from the leaf springs moving on eachother in the springpack when side loading is put on them. All my leaf sprung vehicles have done it. You can keep that sump oil and paint the sides of the springs if it annoys you that much.
Andrewwheredayathinkwer mike?

Had the same thing with my HZJ75 troopy. Thought it was the springs sliding, but replaced the tie-rod ends & clunk has gone.