Hello this is my first post and I sure hope to get a responce or two. I just purchased a 1997 F150 4wd extra cab. The truck has 129k miles on it but is in like new condition. I would guess by looking it has seen very little 4wd time. Well here is my problem I tried out the 4wd drive for the first time last night. The front wheels pull fine but when I turn right or left I get a rythematic clicking/popping sound. This only happens when in 4wd high and low. I looked all over this forum for info and I found some posts that had problems all the time with a similar sound but mine only makes noise in 4wd. Can anyone help me. I am assuming this is a hub problem...but is it as simple as taking them apart and greasing them or do I have a bigger fish to fry? Oh and whats the worst case sinerio on cost any ideas?

Thanks

 

does this only happen when you cut the wheel hard one way or the other or does it happen on wide turns too? Many times if you cut it all the way, it will make this sound because you put the wheels in a bind against each other. Many people test the 4wd on a truck they are considering purchasing by doing this. But it should only do it if it is cut hard one way or the other. if it happens in a wide turn, I don't know what to tell you.

 

Does the front driveshaft spin when you are in 2wd (sorry...I dont know on this vehicle)? If not, then it could be a bad u-joint on the front part of the driveshaft. If yours are greasable, then you might pump them fuyll of lube and see if that helps. If they arent greasable, then you'll need to pull the caps on the u-joints to grease them.
I'd also make sure that the front sway bar links are tight. The stock links used to come loose on my jeep and make funny noises.

 

Most of the time the popping is a U-joint. Other times, when the 4 by is enagaged the CV joint doesn't allow the wheel to turn as sharp because the axles are spinning and as it does, it makes it pop when it turns. You may want to look at them as well and make sure they are greased.

 

Where you on dry pavement when you noticed it? I know my '98 ckicked a lot but I only noticed it on dry pavement and the 4x4 system seemed to work fine.

 

Sounds like one of the u-joints in the front driveshaft or cv-joints in the front axles.

 

hi ron,
popping may just be the binding....but clicking sounds like one or both cv joints are bad. a familiar thing with front wheel drive cars. and you will only hear it when the front axles are engaged on a 4wd.

 

Did you hear that echo . . . echo . . . echo?