PoorGary wrote:
The Dodge clunk.
Is it true...old Dodge B300's have what is known as the Dodge clunk. When your turning a corner with the steer wheels near or fully turned and you hear a clunk? Mine does it and I was told by an old Dodge fan its common.
My 78 B300 front end seems tight, steers well enough...just goes clunk and is rather disturbing to gf who harps at me each time she hears it. Especially so when she's driving and the odors from the black tank reaches the cab and the clunk arrives.:B
I may of asked this previously but my memory...
If I recall correctly (after 40 years), my '49 Int'l Metro stepvan also did this. So, it may be something common to older trucks.
It may be something to do with solid beam axles and king pins, versus IFS and ball joints.
I believe the sound comes from the steering gearbox, in response to the limits of it's operation. (Similar to "squealing" power steering on sharp turns.) You may want to check the fluid level in your gearbox and/or power steering.
I'm hesitant to say everything's okay without being able to inspect and diagnose it personally. To be sure, you might want to talk to, or have it inspected by, a shop that specializes in commercial medium and heavy duty shops.
