4x4 noise, solid front axle
Thread Starter
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Senior User
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 159
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That noise could easily be another U joint.
How are the driveshft joints?
With the front wheels off the ground on both sides and the transfer case locked in, the driveshaft will not turn, so the other side U joint will turn.
Unlock the transfer case, lock the other side hub and put the tire on the ground, now the drive shaft turns.
A bad u joint anywhere will be felt in the axle as you turn it.
Using the above process you can figure out where it is unless you have bad joints in both locations.
How are the driveshft joints?
With the front wheels off the ground on both sides and the transfer case locked in, the driveshaft will not turn, so the other side U joint will turn.
Unlock the transfer case, lock the other side hub and put the tire on the ground, now the drive shaft turns.
A bad u joint anywhere will be felt in the axle as you turn it.
Using the above process you can figure out where it is unless you have bad joints in both locations.
Can you make that dummy proof???
What other joints could cause this? The driveline from the trans to the front diff?
Post Fiend
Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 21,285
Likes: 15
From: Nutter Fort, WV
On a solid axle you have 4 U joints that could be making noise.
One at each wheel and two in the front drive shaft.
Should be easy to tell if it is coming out of the driveshaft with you hands close to the joints as you turn the driveshaft with the hubs and transfer case turned out.
The other wheel, that one is a little harder, but if it also has play, my money is on it being the problem.
There is a possibility that it could be in the gear case, but if it had plenty of lube I lean more toward one of the other U joints.
One at each wheel and two in the front drive shaft.
Should be easy to tell if it is coming out of the driveshaft with you hands close to the joints as you turn the driveshaft with the hubs and transfer case turned out.
The other wheel, that one is a little harder, but if it also has play, my money is on it being the problem.
There is a possibility that it could be in the gear case, but if it had plenty of lube I lean more toward one of the other U joints.
Post Fiend
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 10,501
Likes: 5
From: Faibanks Ak.
Seems like I had a lockout hub years ago that was what I found to be making a grinding noise. Also just because you can't find slack in a joint doesn't mean it isn't bad a dry bound up one is just as bad.
Postmaster
Joined: Dec 2002
Posts: 3,594
Likes: 2
From: Southern Oregon USA
Jason
Postmaster
Joined: Dec 2002
Posts: 3,594
Likes: 2
From: Southern Oregon USA
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Joined: Feb 2004
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Well,
Time to sell the truck. Front diff is gone.
I finally gave up and took it to someone.
Add to that the front driveline making noise, and I'm looking at a $2500.00 bill.
I'll never make my money back on it to get it fixed, so I think I'll sell as-is and get something newer.
It would make a great project for someone. I know it's not complicated, just more money than I want to put into it.
I'm either gonna go crazy and get a newer Duramax (I know, I'm sorry) or an up to 1997 powerstroke. Those are the only two that have the correct bed size for my old camper.
Time to sell the truck. Front diff is gone.
I finally gave up and took it to someone.
Add to that the front driveline making noise, and I'm looking at a $2500.00 bill.
I'll never make my money back on it to get it fixed, so I think I'll sell as-is and get something newer.
It would make a great project for someone. I know it's not complicated, just more money than I want to put into it.
I'm either gonna go crazy and get a newer Duramax (I know, I'm sorry) or an up to 1997 powerstroke. Those are the only two that have the correct bed size for my old camper.
Thread Starter
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Senior User
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 159
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Ok, I know how to remove the axles, how hard is it to repair the interior of a diff?
Never done that either. Any special tools needed?
I hate to have to sell this truck, but I'm also a reasonable man. Too much work and $$$ and it's a losing proposition.
Never done that either. Any special tools needed?
I hate to have to sell this truck, but I'm also a reasonable man. Too much work and $$$ and it's a losing proposition.