Possible Suspension Issue?

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jgruberman

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So I live on a tight street and park on the street side. I have a bad habit of U-turning and my driver tire hitting the curb, going up it then back down to the street. This morning I noticed what sounded like a metal clank and noticed the steering wheel is off center. The steering wheel may have been like this but I just noticed it today. Did I bust my ball joint?

Side thought, there seems to be a little extra wear on the outside of that tire, upper ball joint? (This isn't the first time I've heard the metal clank)

54a9d51ff80fba026e6a2c8d88d50e39.jpg

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jgruberman

jgruberman

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You might need an alignment check
If I need an upper ball joint replaced, should probably do that first before the alignment? Or will the alignment not be affected by a bad ball joint?

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stimpy433

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If I need an upper ball joint replaced, should probably do that first before the alignment? Or will the alignment not be affected by a bad ball joint?

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Ball joint needs to be fixed first.
 
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jgruberman

jgruberman

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Ball joint needs to be fixed first.
Assumed as much. Would that clanking be indicative of a ball joint? Or is it just possible I need an alignment and the clanking is just suspension components bouncing around as I hit and fall off the curb?

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Sandbox

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If it's clanking while the suspension is cycling, it could be the sway bar end links. You may have broke one of those.
 
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jgruberman

jgruberman

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If it's clanking while the suspension is cycling, it could be the sway bar end links. You may have broke one of those.
It's only clanking when I come back down off the curb, maybe up as well but I don't recall. Is that what you are saying when you said "cycling"?

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12sportmc

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31e6557dc182ba90d742d163f8c581e8.jpg

Does it look like this ??? Lol


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Sandbox

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Yes, that's what I mean by cycling. This one is an aftermarket link but, it should get you the idea.
Sway-Bar-End-Links-03-12-Dodge-Ram-4x4-2500-3500-2.jpg
 
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jgruberman

jgruberman

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I'll check both the UBJ and sway link when I get out to the truck and post back.

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whetrick1

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If you have the alignment checked they can tell you if anything is wrong.


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jgruberman

jgruberman

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If you have the alignment checked they can tell you if anything is wrong.


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IF it's a good alignment tech.


Doesn't appear as though sway link is broke or UBJ is popped.

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whetrick1

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That's why the alignment tech should be able to tell. It could be a tie rod end. Or possible broken shock.


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