Another front end clunk

[joebillhill]

Well it's been a few weeks of self diagnosis to no avail so I figured I'd ask the experts.
My l300 has been throwing out some noises when the wheels are cranked to either side.

1. With the wheels cranked all the way to the left and driving forward a few feet it gives a hard loud clunk that seems like it's coming from under the center console. It doesn't happen all the time but when it does I can put it in reverse with the wheel still cocked and get a similar softer clunk seemingly when it passes the same point.

2. With the wheel cranked all the way to the right and driving forward there are small creaks and clunks coming from the drivers wheel. When I put it into reverse there are creaks and a small clunk that comes from under the center console.

I have been trying to fix it myself by tightening the subframe bolts (the 17 and 22mm ones) which I was able to tighten down the 17s a decent amount and actually took them off threw locktite on and reefed them down with a big bar (though the next day I was able tighten down the left side ones slightly more)
I've also checked the bolts on the inside of the wheels and they seem to be as tight as they can be. Everything else under the van seems to be in decent enough condition except I noticed one of the passenger side lower control bushings (furthest one back) has some tears out of it

With all of that, any ideas.

[TieMyShoe]

first thing. There are no nuts or bolts in a Delica that should require a big bar to crank them down. You are more likely to cause damage doing that than you are to fix the issue.

As for the clunk. It is likely a suspension component, you are best to pull the wheels off and have a look, use a pry bar to find the loose joint, inspect tie rod ends, ball joint and control arm bushings. While you are at check diff mounts for wear and the front u joint. Unfortuatly diagnosing a noise with out hearing on person is very difficult.

[Firesong]

The bolts he's referring to do need a good cranking which can cause a clunk as discussed in lots of forum posts.

I do agree that it sounds like suspension. Check your shocks for tightness and the wear in the rubber/nylon bolt thingees. Mind block.

[joebillhill]

I agree with you tiemyshoe but searching around on the forum there were a lot of people talking about cranking those sub frames down so I took their word for it.
Looking around under there the bushings and everything else look good (though I'll admit I'm new at this mechanic game).
I did notice both front shocks have a little lateral play and a friend said the shock bushings are a little worn and there is a noticeable gap on the passenger side one.
Could that be the culprit?

[Big-Bird]

Did you have all of the front suspension checked.

Ball joints (x4)
Tie rods
Bushings?

Placing/Lifting a jack under the lower control arm to get the suspension load off the Delica isn't enough because of where the torsion bar is located it puts downward force on the upper control arm which keeps the torsional load on the front suspension....it will behave like its on the ground....good luck checking for movement!

You need to support the delica by its frame/cross member (frontal area) and let the front suspension fully extend and make sure you have enough height so the tires don't touch ground. This will put the torsional load on the frame and upper bump stop. With the torsional load relieved from the ball joints you can check them for excess play (side to side in at least 2 planes of direction and up and down with the use of a sturdy pry bar).

If we had torsion bars in the lower control arms then lifting the delica under the lower control arm would be the correct method to test for ball joint wear.

And if all you have is a scissor jack then support the delica with jack stands....be safe dude!

[TieMyShoe]

I did notice both front shocks have a little lateral play and a friend said the shock bushings are a little worn and there is a noticeable gap on the passenger side one.
Could that be the culprit?

Get in there with a pry bar and see if you can get movement out of the bushings, if yes then there's a good chance that this at least part of the issue yes.

[joebillhill]

Found the culprit! I noticed my drivers side front wheel was wearing a little irregularly and took it on for an alignment. The front right camber was loose, got it tightened up and no more clunk. So so nice.

[Erich]

I had a similar issue with mine. Lower control arm adjustment point.