Clank Bang and Clunk

[NateEB]

Well, after searching all the links I could find about clunking noises in the front end, I decided to look for some opinions.

My 92 X clunks/bangs only when in four wheel drive. I thought it may just be the hub going out but other posts have described it as a grinding sound and there is no grinding at all. I also haven't had any problems with my four wheel drive. It isn't constant but when I have it engaged it gives a loud clank that makes me cringe every time I hear it.

Does anyone have some troubleshooting tips I could go through to determine the problem? I don't want to change the hubs out yet if it's not what's causing the noise.

 

[Rick]

Possibly axle u-joints or driveshaft u-joints.

 

[NateEB]

Is there a way to check those?

 

[Mushkego]

this fixed my loud noise

I have (had) the same problem. Whenever I was in 4x4 there was a loud banging noise, almost sounded like the drive shaft that connects the tranny to the front diff was hitting the floor. I checked and found worn U joints in the front shaft at the wheels as well as the stub shaft but after replacing them I still had the same noise. Well, turns out the front automatic hubs had worn out. Although they would sometimes engage, the loud banging was the drivers side engaging and disengaging while I was driving down the highway. I took my truck into some deep snow (we have lots of that here) and when I would give her I could hear the front shaft just wizzing in the hub, then it would grab and then let go again. I replaced the autohubs with a set of manuals (found lots of help on this site to do that) and voila, the problem is gone. Hope this helps.