Front End Popping
Senior User
Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 424
Likes: 0
From: Eastern, Iowa
Mine does it in turning slowly in AWD, and worse in 4WD, and ALOT worse in 4-Lo (yeah, my Nav makes in 4-Lo every now and then 
), and especially when turning.
And I'm not going to worry about it anymore. I know I'm not alone and everyone else seems not hurt by it (no wheels falling off or gears grinding up). I can live with that, and I'm not gong to take it to the stealership (LOVE that!
) and pay them with my firstborn to put it on the rack and goob it up with molten lava. I'm good.......
), and especially when turning. And I'm not going to worry about it anymore. I know I'm not alone and everyone else seems not hurt by it (no wheels falling off or gears grinding up). I can live with that, and I'm not gong to take it to the stealership (LOVE that!
) and pay them with my firstborn to put it on the rack and goob it up with molten lava. I'm good.......
Postmaster
Joined: May 2002
Posts: 3,028
Likes: 1
From: Annapolis, Maryland
If we can collectively isolate the problem based upon previous experiences with this noise, it shouldn't be too tough for a mechanic to zip off the crossmember with an impact wrench and put a dab of molten lava in there. You could have him do it while he's already got the truck in the air for a brake job or something.
XXL
XXL
Thread Starter
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Logistics Pro
Joined: Oct 2000
Posts: 3,960
Likes: 5
From: All over Texas
I know one thing, it certainly wasn't the ball joints although I don't mind the new ones with zerks ($600) covered under warranty.
Mine only pops when I cut the steering wheel hard right.
Mine only pops when I cut the steering wheel hard right.
Junior User
Joined: Feb 2003
Posts: 71
Likes: 0
From: Oconomowoc, WI
My expy developed this pop night before last. It’s sharp enough to feel it through the floorboard. Feels like the front left suspension. Pops while turning or flexing on rough road.
Is the crossmember you’re talking about the one the front dif mounts to? There are two bolts at either end. It sounds like the recommendation is to loosen this and coat it with never seez. I’ll give it a try and report back.
Thanks
Is the crossmember you’re talking about the one the front dif mounts to? There are two bolts at either end. It sounds like the recommendation is to loosen this and coat it with never seez. I’ll give it a try and report back.
Thanks
Junior User
Joined: Feb 2003
Posts: 71
Likes: 0
From: Oconomowoc, WI
Here's the update...I did take off the cross support. It came out easy. But boy what a bugger to get back in. Could the torsion bars pull the brackets in? Apparently so. When I went to bolt it in, the holes were off a 1/8". Ended up using a wedge between the bracket for the dif mount and the frame. All this was for nothing. The thing still banged on the floorboards.
Solution: Broken stabilizer end. New ends and everything is tight and quiet. Sounds simple now. But when it breaks at the a-arm, it's not readily noticeable.
Solution: Broken stabilizer end. New ends and everything is tight and quiet. Sounds simple now. But when it breaks at the a-arm, it's not readily noticeable.
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Senior User
Joined: Jul 1999
Posts: 246
Likes: 0
From: Monroe, NC
I noticed the same noise in my 2000 EB, it stays in A4WD, but in a dry parking lot I am sure only the back is pulling. It seemed to me to be coming from the drivers side front also, not too loud but if it gets worse I may check into it further.
Elder User
Joined: Nov 2002
Posts: 736
Likes: 1
From: Texas, USA
Buzzard,
Does the popping sound occur even when you are not moving but turn the wheel hard to the right? Or does it only occur when moving. If so does it happen going backward as well as going forward when turned hard right?
Does the popping sound occur even when you are not moving but turn the wheel hard to the right? Or does it only occur when moving. If so does it happen going backward as well as going forward when turned hard right?
New User
Joined: Oct 2003
Posts: 11
Likes: 0
From: Hot AZ
I have the same problem making right turns. I hear it only on the drivers side. If I trun left, hard or not, there is no noise. I noticed this about a year ago. The dealer can't find anything wrong with the front end. Maybe its time to take it back and let them look again.
Junior User
Joined: Jul 2003
Posts: 98
Likes: 0
From: Southeastern MA
Wife's EXPY 2001 5.4 4WD front end popped with engine running with foot on brake and if you turn wheel slightly in either direction. Had it back to dealer 2 times. Last time(Thursday) the finally replaced a part! They said it was a defective idler arm. However, I'm unable to see any new parts-I thought the idler arm connected to tie rods? Anyway, the noise is gone, and it has to go back again for my ongoing exhaust noise-they had to order manifold bolts-said the job may take 2 days(depending on how rusted the old ones are)
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Logistics Pro
Joined: Oct 2000
Posts: 3,960
Likes: 5
From: All over Texas
Originally posted by tsdrallyer
Buzzard,
Does the popping sound occur even when you are not moving but turn the wheel hard to the right? Or does it only occur when moving. If so does it happen going backward as well as going forward when turned hard right?
Buzzard,
Does the popping sound occur even when you are not moving but turn the wheel hard to the right? Or does it only occur when moving. If so does it happen going backward as well as going forward when turned hard right?
Since the truck drives and tracks so nicely, I just accept the noise. It isn't banging noise, in fact it sounds kinda like my knees every time I stand up from a crouched position.
Elder User
Joined: Nov 2002
Posts: 736
Likes: 1
From: Texas, USA
Buzzard
The reason I asked about motion is because of the difference in loads the toe in makes on the steering system when going forward versus backward. I'd suggest on what you've said that there is some play, i.e. is looseness, in the steering links between pitman arm and end of drag links if there is none in the steering gear box itself. Toe in might force the parts together when going forward, but pull them apart when going backward or vice versa. Hope this helps.
The reason I asked about motion is because of the difference in loads the toe in makes on the steering system when going forward versus backward. I'd suggest on what you've said that there is some play, i.e. is looseness, in the steering links between pitman arm and end of drag links if there is none in the steering gear box itself. Toe in might force the parts together when going forward, but pull them apart when going backward or vice versa. Hope this helps.
New User
Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 15
Likes: 0
I have the same popping noise in my '97 but is occurs when the veh is at idle speeds. Doesnt happen when going over 25-30 mph but when go to stop it is very loud on driver side outside. Quite embarrassing in summertime. Could this be the crossmember or something like a u-joint? Took it to several mechanics and claim nothing wrong. Driving me crazy, please any info?
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