I have an 1989 toyota 5 speed 22RE. And since the day that I bought the truck it's made a really bad clunking noise in the front end when turning sharp, it does it whether you are rolling or sitting still. It did it before and after I put a lift kit on the truck, I replaced both cv axles thinking that might be it but it didn't do anything. Amy ideas ? Or anybody have this problem before? It's not the bump stops either

 

Ball joints?

I'd lift the front end up and start wiggling tires and joints.

I had clunking on my last truck when turning and it was a bearing problem, but not when sitting still.

 

Alright I will give that a try today. I climbed under the front and tried to listen while someone turned the wheel but it wasn't up in the air. And It was hard to pin point exactly where the noise was coming from

 

You lost a CV Axle more than likely. A popping sound when in a tight turn is indicative of a broken cv. Almost text book.

Not a bad time to replace any ball joints that might be wearing down as well. Make sure you get some with zerks fittings.


Also might give a look at your pitman arm and your idler arm, both steering related .

 

I've never had a bad one but will they pop when turning the wheel while not in motion? I didn't think they would pop unless they were in motion

 

When turning hard you're causing movement of the cv axle since they are attached to the wheel hub. If the Cv axle is bad, movement in either the inner or outer constant velocity joint would make a noise.

When you are moving and turning it should be a popping sound in tune with the front wheels rotation. If you don't have the clunking noise while moving in a hard corner and your cv boots look okay. I would guess you have a problem elsewhere in your suspension.

I just replaced all four of my ball joints, idler arm, pitman arm and cv axle for passenger side. It was noisy as hell from all those worn out parts. Now its like a brand new truck

 

Well it did this noise before and after I replaced the cv axles. When I did my lift kit in the truck I replaced both of them thinking that's what it was. But it still makes the noise after I did it. And it does this noise whether I am moving or sitting still, anytime I turn sharp

 

just my own experience but mine was the stabilizer bar bushings, its a very cheap and easy fix and mine went from embarrasingly loud to quiet and tight. just my 2c...good luck!

 

have you inspected your control arm bushings? mine are shot on my driver's side and it'll make a clunk sound when things shift. not quite as obvious as a loose connection on one of the joints.

 

I looked at the stabilzer bar bushings and they were bad so I replaced them but that didn't fix it.
So I lifted the front of the truck up and started turning the steering wheel and from what I could tell the popping noise was coming from the ball joints. I felt around the rubber and that's where I could feel the movement. So I'm going to replace those and see what happens. Thanks for all the suggestions

 

Take a good look at your control arm's bushings, I'm almost willing to bet money that's what it is.