1996 gmc jimmy slt 4x4. whenever i reverse out of my driveway (like when i go onto the road and have my steering wheel turned) i hear a loud clunk. this also happens when i make a sharp right or left turn (happens more often if the steering wheel is at full lock). i cant pin point the noise either. we have had the entire front suspension replaced so i dont think its that. i gave the car to procare for a week to see if they could figure it out, no luck. PLEASE HELP! btw i am not a mechanic so explain in lame mans term and terms i can tell my mechanic at procare.

also i was wondering if you could help with another issue. my service engine soon light is on and has been on forever. dad says its something to do with emissions. the light goes off at random intervals as it pleases. any ideas?

see link in the Blazer forum.
http://www.automotiveforums.com/vbulletin/showthread.php?t=302656&highlight=clunk+hood+washer

if the clunking sound that the blazer is making in the video is the thing that guy is trying to fix thats not what im talking about. mine doesnt do small steady clunks. its just one loud clunk.

Can you feel a thump in the floor when you here the clunk?

if the clunking sound that the blazer is making in the video is the thing that guy is trying to fix thats not what im talking about. mine doesnt do small steady clunks. its just one loud clunk.

Yes, that is the problem, please don't say it isn't until you fixed it and installed the washers.

It sounded like a loud clunk from inside the cabin and I replaced my whole front end and found out that this was causing it.

Also, go to autozone and get the codes scanned and come ack with the codes here.

We need the exact numbers.

Yes, that is the problem, please don't say it isn't until you fixed it and installed the washers.

It sounded like a loud clunk from inside the cabin and I replaced my whole front end and found out that this was causing it.

Also, go to autozone and get the codes scanned and come ack with the codes here.

We need the exact numbers.


ok i just sent off an email to my GMC dealership asking about that washer.

ok well the washer didnt fix it. oh well only 7 bucks

it only happens when i am reversing off of my drive way and have the steering wheel at almost full lock. it sounds like it is coming from the drivers side. i do feel the clunk beneath my feet too but not greatly.

Affected Models:

1998-2003 Chevrolet S-10, Blazer

1998-2001 GMC Envoy, Sonoma, Jimmy (US), and Oldsmobile Bravada

1998-2003 GMC Jimmy (Canada)

Some owners of the listed vehicles may experience a clunk noise that can be felt through the floor pan

This condition may be caused by the torsion bar crossmember contacting the frame rails during left or right turns or on uneven surfaces.

Determine if the clearance between the left frame rail to crossmember and right frame rail to crossmember are equal. If not, install either a washer or alignment shim between the upper mount and frame.

Refer to SI document 539243. This document includes a component diagram of the torsion bar crossmember to frame rail assembly and may provide assistance in the repair.

- Thanks to GM Technical Assistance


The cross member is at the back of the torsion bars, it runs from one side of the frame to the other. Just about right under where your ass is. You can grab the torsion bars and move them back and forth and watch it move, if not centered properly it will hit the frame (while driving... it won't hit while shaking it with your hands) You can visually see a mark on the frame if it has been hitting. Mine hits on the driverside, I'll fix it when I do my U-joints and motor mount. Mine has about a 1/4" space on the driverside and about 3/4" on the passengerside. They are suppose to be equal.

Look for a clean mark here on both sides:
http://www.image-hosting.ws/direct/1001.jpg


If one side is too close place the washer here:

http://www.image-hosting.ws/direct/1000.jpg

ok well the washer didnt fix it. oh well only 7 bucks

it only happens when i am reversing off of my drive way and have the steering wheel at almost full lock. it sounds like it is coming from the drivers side. i do feel the clunk beneath my feet too but not greatly.

Have you ever greased your front end yet?

10-11 grease fittings to grease every 3000 miles.

i havent greased my front end since i have no clue what to grease and what to use to grease them.

also my dad had the torsion bars replaced when he got the entire front end suspension done. other parts we had replace are:
tie rod end links
adjusting sleeves
idler arm
pitman arm
steering gear


also the service engine soon light is for the code P0440. when we got it tested to find out what code it was GM had no clue what it was. the invoice says it might be a loose gas cap but it wasnt.

Greasing the front end would be a good place to start. Were the ball joints replaced, too? Another probable cause would be a loose shock.

A loose or bad gas cap is the most common cause of a P0440. After the problem is fixed it may take as long as a week before the light will turn off by itself.

Greasing the front end would be a good place to start. Were the ball joints replaced, too? Another probable cause would be a loose shock.

A loose or bad gas cap is the most common cause of a P0440. After the problem is fixed it may take as long as a week before the light will turn off by itself.


ball joints were replaced too.

is there a way to make the light go off? like pull a fuse or something?


how do i grease the front end? is it fairly easy?

i havent greased my front end since i have no clue what to grease and what to use to grease them.

also my dad had the torsion bars replaced when he got the entire front end suspension done. other parts we had replace are:
tie rod end links
adjusting sleeves
idler arm
pitman arm
steering gear


also the service engine soon light is for the code P0440. when we got it tested to find out what code it was GM had no clue what it was. the invoice says it might be a loose gas cap but it wasnt.

http://www.automotiveforums.com/vbulletin/showthread.php?t=344505

i solved the service engine soon light problem. just disconnected the negative lead on my battery, left it for 10 minutes and reconnected it. now the light has gone off!

I have the same problem with mine replaced all of the front end and still got the noise..Tried the hood trick too to no avail..I just learned to live with it..At least it only happens while backing up huh..

I have the same problem with mine replaced all of the front end and still got the noise..Tried the hood trick too to no avail..I just learned to live with it..At least it only happens while backing up huh..

yeah seriously. ive learned to live with it. just thought i would check here to see if theres a fix. my guess is its not doing any damage to the car since it hasnt broken down...yet. lol

If it comes back, get the codes scanned again and note the code and do some searching on google.

Look at the front stabilizer bar end links. I just found source of same clunk. The end of the stabilizer bar is hitting the Lower control arm. I removed the entire stabilizer bar for a test and the clunk is completely gone. There is a shiny spot on the end of the st. bar. There is also a shiny spot on the front of the control arm, just below the lower shock absorber bolt. Get a bright light and look for this shiny spot that indicates the parts are hitting together. When I put the sway bar back on with new bushings it should be like new.

On your jimmy there are torsion bar crossmember mounts on the frame rail. If these go bad it will make that noise and you will feel it beneath your feet. You can check this by using a floor jack to lift the torsion bar cross member by the frame rail. it should not separate from frame if it does replace it and noise will go away.cost is around 20 bucks. (From experience) :sunglasse

On your jimmy there are torsion bar crossmember mounts on the frame rail. If these go bad it will make that noise and you will feel it beneath your feet. You can check this by using a floor jack to lift the torsion bar cross member by the frame rail. it should not separate from frame if it does replace it and noise will go away.cost is around 20 bucks. (From experience) :sunglasse

That is only for 1994 and older.