I am getting a metal-on-metal clunking in my truck that seems to be coming from the front end. It only seems to happen when I am braking and steering, such as pulling into a parking spot.

Any ideas what this could be? I just replaced all 4 ball joints, springs, and front axle u-joints.

 

Check the radius arm bushings.

 

on which end of the radius arms can I find these bushings - front or rear? and what am I checking them for

 

Make sure they're there.

 

they seem to be there on both sides, is there anything I need to check for on the back side of that metal bracket?

 

well sean, here are some pics for your consideration. sorry the angles are crappy but it was raining and I didn't feel like laying down on the wet ground just to get you a better s hot :P

 

Those look alright. Not great but good enough, at least from what I can see. By the way, the crumbling metal on the passenger side one (lower pic) is just a heat shield to keep the exhaust from cooking it.

 

good call, that was going to be my next question. I'll check them more thoroughly once it's dry and I can get under the truck for a better look. so what to check next? today I noticed the clunking will happen sometimes with just braking, no steering

 

I guess I'd start checking the brackets to make sure they're not loose. Look for areas with clean shiny metal where stuff has been moving and rubbing. That's all I got at the moment.

 

I had the same deal a couple years ago when I first got my truck. Replaced the radius arm bushings and it went away but now it has come back and I don't think those bushings would wear out in less than 2 years. I'm not certain but I think its because all of the little plastic spacer things are missing from in between the leafs of my rear springs.

Check all of your spring mounts and radius arm brackets. Up here in the midwest, they are notorious for rotting out and breaking which can cause all sorts of noise. In fact, most dealers stock the rear spring mounts and shackles around these parts (SE Michigan).