I've seen people talk about it in other threads but I haven't found an answer. Wheel bearings good, swivel ball bearings good... I replaced everything on the drivers side just to check to see if it made any difference.

When the wheels are facing forward, with the trucks weight on them... turning either way results in a loud clunk that can be felt in the floorboards. It doesn't do it if the wheel is turned a bit past center, but anywhere around center it will do it.

I got up under the truck and had my girlfriend rock the steering wheel back and forth. I can hear the clunk from the entire axle, it doesn't sound like its coming from one specific place. Also, nothing visible is moving at all. I replaced all the tie rod ends.

I can't see any movement of the steering box, I checked and the bolts are tight.

Any idea's before I go secure an entirely new front axle? Normally I have no problem fixing issues, but this one is driving me insane!

 

Check your panhard rod and the TRE's on the drag link and track rod.

 

All of the tie rod ends on both the drag link and track rod are brand new, no play and tight.

 

ok, thats fantastic. but did you check the panhard rod bushings?

 

They don't appear to have play but I ordered new bushings anyways.

 

Keep going up. Check for movement at the pitman, then check the steering shaft.

 

Pitman arm and gearbox are tight. IIRC the steering shaft has a little play in it but its not bad.

The sound really sounds like its coming from the inside of the axle,

 

That doesn't make sense. Everything inside the axle (save for the outers) doesn't care which way the truck is pointed.

 

Exactly... that's what kills me. I can usually ride in someones car and tell them whats wrong with it.

I'll try to take a video of it.

 

Check the radius arm bushings at the axle.