Front End POPs only when it's warm outside

[my98nnj]

Doesn't do it in the mornings when it's cool outside only once the outside temp gets up there. Does it more so in reverse but now it's starting to be noticable going forward too. It's sort of a poping that feels like it's coming from the front center of the vehicle while it's in motion. Can't make it do it much at all if the truck is parked. Ball joints are tight, tie rods have no play. Control arm bushings don't seem to move at all. Wheel bearings are tight (L.F. is new). Sway bar links are fine. All 4wd setting work correctly with no abnormal noises. It seems related to very small road irregularities, not so much big bumps. Reversing down my driveway sounds/feels like there is something very wrong, yet I can't find any play in the front end.

98 S'ploder, SOHC, 79,000 miles. It's been doing this for 2 years and gets worse every summer BUT never makes any noise all winter long...

Any advise would be appreciated!

 

[sdaviddr]

I'm having the same problem! I wonder if it has anything to do with the CV joints ? Repack grease in the joints? Or rebuild them?

 

[my98nnj]

Glad I'm not alone.

CV's aren't leaking any grease and the noise "feels" like it's coming from the center of the vehicle.

The one thing I'm thinking of checking is the front diff. It was changed at 58K miles do to a bearing failure. I did the swap myself, wondering if by some chance there's a bolt loose? Then again, it makes no noises at all in 4wd and that's when a load would be put onto the diff. and front drive line.

I'm stumped on this one.

90 degrees here in NJ and this thing is making all kinds of noise today.
Crazy that it's quiet when it's cold outside!!!

 

[97WHTXLT]

I have the same problem with my 97. I've narrowed it down to the steering shaft and rack. Grab the steering shaft and try to wiggle it.

 

[my98nnj]

I think it may be steering related too. I can feel it in the steering wheel. We did a little testing yesterday, you can feel the popping on the lower frame where the rack and pinion mounts. The rack moves very slightly in the bushing mounts. I think it might actually be the cause of the noise. I'm going to try and pull the rack up a bit off the mounts and grease up the bushings & retorque it down over the weekend.
Lets see if that quiets things down.

 

[97WHTXLT]

Let us know. Mine is driving me crazy, ha