So over a month ago I developed a clunk in what seems to sound like my rear end. The sound is invisible until you have to hit the brakes either hard or on a slope. I thought it was the front end and an upper arm bushing but after inspecting them and seeing no bushing issues and tightening up the bolts I'm still having the issue. My shackle bushings are toast and I believe the big bushing on the leaf driver's side is worn out as well, can this be the cause? I am lifted 3.5" and got the lift used it was a year old and is a Rusty's full leaf so I'm not surprised the bushings are bad since i've had it for over a year myself. I don't see rear give-aways to the issue so it's a bit of a mystery. It's very annoying and I don't feel completely safe, also it's not fun explaining to passengers what the he** that sound was.

 

No one?

 

id start with replacing he bushings

 

I've been reading a and scheduled an appointment to have my rear drums check out as that can be a cause of bad drum brakes

 

Looking at going to AAMCO and Monro for my rear drum inspection. Does anyone know the average cost to have the drums replaced? It's about that time for them to be replaced and stop the clunk.

 

There are a few you can check.

1.) The worn shackle bushings could be the cause since the springs hold the axle in place and the shackles hold the springs in place. Under the load of braking, your axle could be shifting in those bushings.

2.) Check your u-bolts. I believe they're supposed to be torqued to 82 (but it could be 65 ft/lbs, confirm before you start wrenching).

3.) It could be your brake shoes shifting inside the drums but that typically has a certain resonance that makes it clear that it's coming from the drums.

You could remove your rear driveshaft, set your parking brake, put it in 4x4 and try rocking the rear axle with the throttle while someone watches/listens for the source of the clunk.

 

Last night while braking on a hill my brakes made a very loud screech at the same time as the clunk. I can do the bushings later in the year but I think the brakes are causing the clunk now

 

I would pull the drums off and have a look. It's possible that a spring broke or something else... there are a lot of parts inside that drum.

 

We'll turns out my e brake cables and adjusters are seized, u joint was bad, and pads/hardware was worn. Replaced the u joint today and will be doing the brakes along with ditching the e brakes soon. Funny thing is that after they put it back together my clunk went away, maybe a loose wheel bolt? But the u joint helped with some phantom vibes I was having and everything else is just maintenance now. Hope this helps, check your wheels!