Front end problem-- steering, suspension, other???

cottrillj · February 26, 2022

In the last 2 months, I have replaced the upper and lower ball joints, sway links, and CV axles on my 2008 Silverado. Truck was aligned after ball joints were replaced. However, I still have a thumping/clunking that is most noticeable when turning at slow speeds. After fixing the ball joints and sway links, I attributed this to the bad CVs, but, now that they are new, that obviously isn't the problem.

The sound/feel is easily noticeable to me when backing up one way and then turning to go another or when slowly turning into a bumpy driveway or parking lot. Feels like both sides, depending on which way I turn, but is definitely worse when backing with the wheels turned to the driver side then turning them to the passenger side to change direction. There is no vibration, play, or looseness in the steering wheel, no other noises, and steering feels tight. Steering fluid is full and looks fine. At road speed, I cant feel it at all.

Got more and more frustrated in my inability to figure this out so I took it to the shop a week ago and they couldn't replicate the issue. I drove with the mechanic and, of course, I could not replicate it for him either. He put it on a lift in the shop for me to look at and everything is good and tight in the front suspension/wheel, it appears.

I'm a little stumped at this point. I had been feeling/hearing the problem for long enough to almost guarantee the shop could replicate it and, instead, it was nonexistent. The shop owner said maybe the grease in the new CVs just needed to get slung around in the boots better, but that sounds like a hopeful thought to me. Oddly, it has been very cold here for several weeks but it had warmed up for a couple days before I took it in. Not sure how much temperature could impact something like this, but I suppose it's possible. 2 days after the shop looked at it, the issue came back again (cold returned too...)

Just curious if anyone has had anything similar and what the diagnosis was? Thanks

bubbanbrenda · February 26, 2022

My ‘08 Sierra creaks and groans when it’s cold out too. I’m pretty sure it’s the14 year old rubber bushings. When it warms up I’m going to rebuild the front end.

swathdiver · February 26, 2022

We had a guy with a similar complaint last year, turned out his front strut was broken and it was not noticeable until he went to take the strut apart. The shock flew apart and almost hit him. Be careful.

Koinz · February 26, 2022

I have an 08. Similar issues. replaced both struts (complete assemblies) and no more noises.

swathdiver · February 26, 2022

40 minutes ago, Koinz said:

I have an 08. Similar issues. replaced both struts (complete assemblies) and no more noises.

This jars my memory, the strut mount in the strut assembly is rubber, and if there is movement when the truck is jounced, it needs to be replaced. This can certainly cause a noise.

dna9656 · February 26, 2022

You have a Gremlin.

cottrillj · February 27, 2022

20 hours ago, bubbanbrenda said:

My ‘08 Sierra creaks and groans when it’s cold out too. I’m pretty sure it’s the14 year old rubber bushings. When it warms up I’m going to rebuild the front end.

Could be bushings somewhere, I suppose. Maybe lower control arms or steering rack??

8 hours ago, Koinz said:

I have an 08. Similar issues. replaced both struts (complete assemblies) and no more noises.

I don't think it's the struts because the problem is most noticeable when the truck is not even moving-- back up with wheel turned tight, stop, turn wheel in opposite direction and clunking happens during that turn. I can feel it in the steering wheel, almost like a binding. Bumps aren't the only trigger.

3 hours ago, dna9656 said:

You have a Gremlin.

Guess I need to make sure to keep it from getting wet...

dna9656 · February 27, 2022

That's a fact Jack!

Brenden Burnham · February 27, 2022

Check wheel hub/bearing. jack it up and feel if there is any play. Could for sure be the issue.

Brenden Burnham · February 27, 2022

And if it is not the wheel hub then check the u-joints. If bad they can bind up and cause issue like this.

cottrillj · February 28, 2022

Not the hubs. Shop verified they are tight. What u-joints are you referring to? Front drive shaft? Not sure I'd suspect them because it's a turning-only issue.

Anyone know anything about steering intermediate shafts? Decided to grab and shake it today. Should there be any play/wiggle in it at all? There was a small amount of wiggle to it by hand. Hate to take it back to the shop, as I'm afraid it won't act up (again) and I'll look like any idiot (again). Frustrating...

Brenden Burnham · February 28, 2022

25 minutes ago, cottrillj said:

Not the hubs. Shop verified they are tight. What u-joints are you referring to? Front drive shaft? Not sure I'd suspect them because it's a turning-only issue.

Anyone know anything about steering intermediate shafts? Decided to grab and shake it today. Should there be any play/wiggle in it at all? There was a small amount of wiggle to it by hand. Hate to take it back to the shop, as I'm afraid it won't act up (again) and I'll look like any idiot (again). Frustrating...

I was actually just going to tell you most likely with your symptoms it is your steering intermediate shaft(most likely upper). I am sure that is it. There should NOT be any play.

Edited February 28, 2022 by Brenden Burnham

cottrillj · February 28, 2022

Yeah. Going to have to look into this possibility. I knew the intermediate shaft was a problem on the generation before mine, as shown in your video, but could find nothing on it for the 07-13 trucks. Watched a video of a guy pulling on one that was not making noise and it had about the same amount of flex mine has. Hope it's not the coupling shaft. That sucker is expensive and there seems to be no aftermarket option.

Edited February 28, 2022 by cottrillj

Brenden Burnham · February 28, 2022

12 hours ago, cottrillj said:

Yeah. Going to have to look into this possibility. I knew the intermediate shaft was a problem on the generation before mine, as shown in your video, but could find nothing on it for the 07-13 trucks. Watched a video of a guy pulling on one that was not making noise and it had about the same amount of flex mine has. Hope it's not the coupling shaft. That sucker is expensive and there seems to be no aftermarket option.

Very frustrating sorry to hear. Do let us know what you find.

cottrillj · March 10, 2022

On 2/25/2022 at 10:22 PM, bubbanbrenda said:

My ‘08 Sierra creaks and groans when it’s cold out too. I’m pretty sure it’s the14 year old rubber bushings. When it warms up I’m going to rebuild the front end.

We have a winner! At least I hope... Went back to shop yesterday afternoon and got the truck to do what it's been doing for the mechanic. He immediately thought it felt like a body mount or bushing shifting with the weight of the truck. Dropped it back off this morning for him to look at. Couldn't find anything bad-- all bushings and mounts looked fine but they tightened every mount and bushing (although he said none of them were particularly loose) and the problem seems to be gone. Hopefully it stays gone. Simple fix for something that has been driving me crazy.

Edited March 10, 2022 by cottrillj