Front End "pop"/"creaking" while 4wd brake bost/launch

cwylie

New member
Apr 21, 2011
32
0
0
Sounds also exactly like the problem I have on my truck. In 4wd and anything over 1/2 throttle it sounds like the drivers side wheel is trying to get away from my truck. I just went through and replaced everything on my front end from the steering, UCA and LCA bushings, balls joints and even changed the lift. My CV's are almost perfectly flat and yet the issue persists. Its gotta be in the diff. I just have to figure out what in the diff it is.
 

TRUBBS

Member
Jul 6, 2011
461
0
16
I'm actually leaning towards the transfer case on mine, the more I listened to it in place the more it sounds like the tcase rather then the front end
 

cwylie

New member
Apr 21, 2011
32
0
0
Mine sounds like the front drivers wheel is flopping around. I guess it could be in the steering box but it sure does seem like its the front drive terrain to me.
 

chevyburnout1

Fixing it till it breaks
Aug 25, 2008
2,368
1
38
Berthoud, CO
Check the bolts on the front skid plates and crossmember. Even if they feel tight try cranking on them some more. Also check the bolts that bolt the rear trans mount on. I've had two bolts be slightly loose and cause this exact problem.
 

ikeG

Oughta Know Better
Apr 19, 2011
2,465
147
63
Western PA
www.facebook.com
My driver's front was cracking when changing direction in LO range. Pulled the diff and the front yoke where driveshaft connects has a bearing bad apparently, has play and clunks real bad. Nothing but metal shaving inside too. Its at the driveline shop right now, will now complete diagnosis in a day or two.
 

coker6303

Keep Calm and Chive On!!
Aug 6, 2009
2,484
0
36
40
Houston, TX
Check the bolts on the front skid plates and crossmember. Even if they feel tight try cranking on them some more. Also check the bolts that bolt the rear trans mount on. I've had two bolts be slightly loose and cause this exact problem.

Like he said, make sure you are not hearing the skid plate creaking. I removed mine completely as it would pop with side to side wheel movement at a standstill.

You could be chasing a body pop, many trucks pop under articulation with the stock body mounts
 

TRUBBS

Member
Jul 6, 2011
461
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16
I know it's not body mounts as its deffiently mechanical.
I'll check the skid plate out but I'm
98% sure it's from inside the t-case.
But I'm open to checking any all suggestions
 

ikeG

Oughta Know Better
Apr 19, 2011
2,465
147
63
Western PA
www.facebook.com
Sent my front diff to Greensburg Driveline(they put the E locker in) and everything was as good as new inside.
Re-installed the diff and all the cracking went away.. Cant get it to do it again for the life of me. Apparently it was the mount bolts, etc that were creaking cuz she's fixed.
 

DAVe3283

Heavy & Slow
Sep 3, 2009
3,727
296
83
Boise, ID, USA
Any update on your front diff?

He said it was fine. He also said the cracking was most likely mount bolts:

Sent my front diff to Greensburg Driveline(they put the E locker in) and everything was as good as new inside.
Re-installed the diff and all the cracking went away.. Cant get it to do it again for the life of me. Apparently it was the mount bolts, etc that were creaking cuz she's fixed.
 

TRUBBS

Member
Jul 6, 2011
461
0
16
Well Now I'm all but certain that it's my t-case, checked all the bolts I could, all was tight.
So I got an idea, put a piece of tape from the t-case to the drive line & one from the drive line to the diff. Put it in gear and brake boosted tell it "poped" looked at the tape and it was twisted
So obviously something is skipping somewhere....


ON EDIT- driving down the road I clicked it into 4wd for shits & grins, it made the same kinda clunk/pop. Maybe it has something to do with the emotor/shift fork??
 
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TRUBBS

Member
Jul 6, 2011
461
0
16
Ended up being back in the tcase rather then the front.
Was the tcase drive chain, Streched out quite a bit & was starting to rub the case, glad I finally pulled it apart & replaced it
 

TRUBBS

Member
Jul 6, 2011
461
0
16
well im having the same issue and was suspecting the chain...guess i know what im doing when i get paid

It was a simple easy fix, didbt even pull the case off the truck, just pulled the back housing off & went from there
 

DeMax LB7

Bowtie Child
Dec 11, 2011
155
0
0
Rice Lake,WI
I just ran into the same problem guy before me put 3 snap rings on the rear half of the case to tighten it up from being worn. well i took it in finally because the speedometer would wander around a little bit. ended up buying a whole new rear half the case and a full rebuild!
 

TowU4Free

#SecretSquirrel
Aug 27, 2011
469
5
18
I've got this noise going on in mine now too. I feel like I'm chasing noises lately! Brake spool 4x4 it does one creak every time at the line especially when the front end is down. Noticed it today when I was turning left up a driveway in 4x4but popped . I don't see anything loose. The lower control arm will move slightly in the bushing but that's about it. New torsion bar mounts as well
 

clrussell

pro-procrastinator
Sep 23, 2013
5,928
399
83
I've got this noise going on in mine now too. I feel like I'm chasing noises lately! Brake spool 4x4 it does one creak every time at the line especially when the front end is down. Noticed it today when I was turning left up a driveway in 4x4but popped . I don't see anything loose. The lower control arm will move slightly in the bushing but that's about it. New torsion bar mounts as well


Double check your upper control arms are super tight.. Like the nut on the adjuster


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