knock sound coming from front

[StevenGene]

Hey guys need a little help. Im pretty confident that this sound is coming from the driver side CV. Just needed some other opinions before i go about tinkering with things. Earlier today i was driving and when i went to go make a turn i heard this loud knocking/clunky sound coming from somewhere in the front end. It "seemed" to go away once i straightened out the wheel and went forward. This has happened in the past, during the winter while i had my 4 wheel drive engaged. But have not heard anything since. Possibly related maybe? Anyone that can help me identify this? Thanks!

Also forgot to mention. I also sometimes (50/50) get this screeching/whining noise when i accelerate. Only happens from stop to acceleration. But this has been going on for over a year...

 

[08EddieCA]

Just to check the obvious first, do you have your power steering fluid filled between the min/max marks? Can you reproduce the sound? If so are you turning right or left?

 

[StevenGene]

Forgot to mention when i w

Just to check the obvious first, do you have your power steering fluid filled between the min/max marks? Can you reproduce the sound? If so are you turning right or left?

Yeah the power steering fluid is good. I can only reproduce the sound if i am turning left.

 

[08EddieCA]

Yeah, I agree with you. It very well could be a CV joint (I think the Right - not sure - if you're turning left). Are you able to get the front wheels off the ground to check your balljoints and wheel bearings? If you're going to replace a CV and your balljoint(s)/wheel bear(s) are marginal, you may be able to take care of two matters with less work.

 

[StevenGene]

Yeah, I agree with you. It very well could be a CV joint (I think the Right - not sure - if you're turning left). Are you able to get the front wheels off the ground to check your balljoints and wheel bearings? If you're going to replace a CV and your balljoint(s)/wheel bear(s) are marginal, you may be able to take care of two matters with less work.

I got the front end off the ground yesterday. Played around with it some to see if there was any play. Didnt seem to find any. Though, when i was playing around with the driver side CV. The inner part was able to be moved about 1/4" back and forth. Also for some reason i had a good amount of power steering fluid leak out of the reservoir.

 

[StevenGene]

When i turn (and it doesnt happen all the time) it really sounds like gears grinding on each other

 

[08EddieCA]

I think a bad CV would consistently make noise when you turn - that clicking/thunking noise. Have you serviced your front diff recently (since you mention it happened when you engaged your 4X4)?

 

[StevenGene]

I think a bad CV would consistently make noise when you turn - that clicking/thunking noise. Have you serviced your front diff recently (since you mention it happened when you engaged your 4X4)?

No I haven't yet.. maybe I should take that In to get checked out

 

[Joey Threesticks]

Take a close look at your ball joints again. Look for torn boots or any play at all when wiggling the wheel from the top and bottom.
It took a pretty sensitive hand to detect that mine were worn and making a similar noise.
Good news is control arms with ball joints are only like $50 a side online.

 

[Tech By Trade]

Mine did the same thing and it was the front U joint on the front drive shaft. PITA to change though because the rear is a CV so I did it with a press under the truck.

 

[StevenGene]

So guys, you all are going to get a kick out of this. I just lifted up the truck to touch up the undercoating. Took both front wheels off and on the passenger side the stabilizer bar end link is completely missing! Like it didnt even fall off. it looks like whoever had the truck before me was doing work to it and never replaced this thing. Now it all makes sense!