Weird front end noise offroading

[phillymscott]

I've been 4x4ing often lately and it seems that after a while I keep noticing this weird noise coming from my front when I flex my front suspension a little or a lot. The only way I can explain the noise is a noise old nissan hard body pickups make when you make a really hard turn because they have some steering bushing that goes out a lot. Used to have a hard body before my explorer and I hadnt heard a noise like that until recently. Its like a creaking, popping metal screech noise. It's a long shot but any help?

 

[4rd4life]

have you checked the front end for play/looseness? only happens off road or does it happen over bumps on roads too? sounds like one or so of the ball joints is going bad maybe

 

[Caejxr]

If you've got the sway bar disconnected or the torsion bar's tightened it could be the CV axles extending too far and popping back into place after becoming mis-aligned at the joints.

 

[phillymscott]

no play in my front end. pretty much just rebuilt it with new upper ball joints, right side drive axle, sway bar links and the lowers were replaced not to long ago. Tie rods dont have any play either. Leave my front sway bar connected but I do have the torsion bars tightened. But its seeming to happen when not in 4wd too. Do have my rear sway bar disconnected but it sounds like its coming from around where I'm at while driving, but then again it's hard to figure out sounds when all you have is one perspective from the driver seat.

 

[Caejxr]

with the torsion bars tightened it is possible to still have the cv shafts over extended. I did this on my 97 before I lifted it with the kit. You can try backing the bolts off some on the t-bars to see if that solves it. I have mine over extended still but have life time warrantied axles from an auto store by my house so im not too worried about my clunking hah.... also, it happens in both four and 2wd. hope that helps.

 

[kf4nxs]

long shot, is it doing it on decelleration not under torque? If it is it could be transfer case not engaging all the way. Thats how mine started, then it started doing it in 2 wheel finally had to change it out.