Hey there guys, my previous issue was solved seemlessly, so who wants to help this time..... So i am in michigan, so there are pot holes everywhere. but ive noticed since it has gotten cold, there is a pretty loud noise anytime i hit a bump in the front drivers side in my truck. its a 97 2wd 4cyl, 5 speed stick, xlt. I am generllay pretty good with front end issues, but this one has me stumped. over the past two summers i have replaced both wheel bearings, all four ball joints, and the tie rods and drag link. Only thing i have not changed os the pitman arm, the shocks and the springs. anyways, after i heard this noise the first time i checked the entire front end out just to make sure it was all in order '(make sure calipers were on tight, not play int he wheels up and down left and right, no movement in the shocks or springs.) mind you, the truck is a 97, so i was wondering if any one had some ideas or a place to start? I was thinking maybe a body mount, or the bushings in the shocks going bad. truck only has 63k on it, original, but did sit for a few years. any input is appeciated. thanks in advance

----------

i forgot to add, this only happens when hitting bumps, no knocks during turning or braking, and it drives straight.

----------

and what is a radius arm? is that the big metal arm that kind of crosses from the middle of the truck outward to wheel well and the spindle is connected to it? im sure its a different because it is two wheel drive.

Radius arm bushings might be worn out. See http://imgur.com/a/BkzJc

__________________
1997 4x4 Mazda B4000 SE, Ext.Cab

that sounds like pretty much what i was looking for. any way to test this theory to see if that is truly what is warn? also, great imgur walkthrough. and are the bushing available at like an autozone? or am i looking to dealer/rockauto.com?

It's a common problem. I bought mine at Autozone, made by Moog (P/N K80007). Nah, you can't tell by trying to shake the RA by hand, cuz it takes a lotta force to move it. You gotta remove the big nut to inspect the rubber bushings.

Lucky you have very low mileage '97. But how are your steel brake lines? Mine rusted out (see my other Imgur albums), which was scary.

__________________
1997 4x4 Mazda B4000 SE, Ext.Cab

looks like i have a project this weekend.... I actually did all of the rear brake lines. the fronts were done before i got them. so the truck is officially on its second set of brake lines..... the read one that blew up was the worst, about 7 ft long along the frame rail, and i had to by pass the rear ABS module, which wasnt working anyway, but it went out on a high way while stopping at the lonesome stop light. thank budah for engine brake and and e-brake.