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Help ! Popping from front end

badmix

badmix

1/2 ton status
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Nov 7, 2004
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Location
West Virginia
1984 k5 , 2 inch rough country springs and bilstein 5150s put on about 10 years ago with ORD greasable shackle bolts.

When i take a turn, lets say a LEFT hand turn, ill get a loud metallic popo the RIGHT side of truck, if i make an immediate RIGHT hand turn, the same sound is on the Left side of truck. So it moves for sure.

Ive looked all under, pulled wheel cant see anything. Truck has 165k and has newish axles but id suspect all the ball joints could be original.

Sound / issue makes no change if hubs locked and in 4x4 and dont believe brake related. Also has steering box brace and frame looks good there

Any help is appreciated
 
I had a similar sound broken shackle, unlikely in your case but could be a broken shackle bolt. Had that happen to a buddy. Also it wasnt just hanging there it was hard to get out but once out broken right in the middle
 
I was kinda thinking that. I cant see ball joints both going bad at same time, but the soubd sure seems to follow which ever way i turn
 
Check for loose rivets on the crossmember, might be able to see a shiny spot where it’s rubbing, either on the frame or at the rivets.
It might also help to have a helper saw the steering wheel back and forth while you inspect everything. Probably best to jack the driver’s side wheel of the ground while you do this. If you have crossover steering then lift the passenger side.
 
Dont have cross over, checked anything with a bolt (shocks, leafs, motor mounts, trans mount, steering box and brace)

After all that went for drive, when came home , i back into carport and i kinda stopped hard and was able to get noise, so its not necessarily a “turning” issue, its a load/unload issue, gotta be in the springs or shackles. I did put wrench on shackle bolts and was able
To turn them and my goal was to see both ends turn, to tell if bolt broke, none were
 
I have it too. It's coming from the front leaf springs, in the back position. When I turn, one of my leafs moves just slightly creating a popping sound. It's like my second leaf in the stack. I've tried to grease it a bit and that does help. Jammed a screwdriver in there to just slightly separate that leaf and then did my turning test. Sure enough, no more popping sound.

If I could get some type of friction pad in between the ends of each leaf, I think that would fix it.
 
Now i did have one of my leafs on pass side was out of alignment by 1/4 inch or so, got hammer and wacked it in place , could this be it ?
 
I also have a 2.5" lift from BDS. I think it's just part of the spring pack flexing normally. To fix it, I think some sort of pad at the end of the leafs would do it.

Drive a screwdriver in between the first and second springs (both sides), and then try turning back and forth to see if it goes away. Free test!
 
Which end ? Towards front of truck or back ? Also what is considered first leaf ? Bottom or top
 
You could put some UHMWPE between your springs like @rebelgregory (would like an update on how they’ve held up but he hasn’t been on here for a while) and others have done.
rebelgregory said:
UHMWPE is a slick, self-lubricating surface (think teflon). You can get it in adhesive sheets. To save material, I cut 3 pieces per leaf - one for the center pin area, and one for each end of the leaf where it slides on the leaf above it. The springs feel much smoother over bumps to me. No squeaks, and no noticeable wear so far. If they don't last long-term, I'll drill holes for the more secure regular spring pads.

http://www.mcmaster.com/#uhmw-polyethylene-film/=ykkx28

View attachment 173407

View attachment 173408
Click to expand...
 
I dont know how springs would make loud pop / bang sound, a squeak or what not i could see
 
Well, while searching for this problem, i ran across an old post from 2011 on here and i had this noise before apparently, i put in the ord greasable bolts and bushings to fix it. Wonder if same kibda issue, i keep bolts greased

I did undo swaybar from axle, noise still there
 
I looked , didnt see anything odd, but will get under tomorrow. I ran outa grease in grease gun , ill get some tomorrow and try greasing spring bushings.

How would i know if those bushings bad.

Would ball joints or steering knuckle pArts make pop soubd upon acceleration and braking ?
 
badmix said:
Would ball joints or steering knuckle pArts make pop soubd upon acceleration and braking ?
Click to expand...
Yes. Easy to check. Jack the tire up and put a crowbar under it on the outside of the tire with a 2x4 between the tire and crowbar so you don’t puncture it. While looking at the ballpoints push down on the crowbar with your knee or foot and look for movement.
 
That hanger is moving so it either has a cracked frame or loose bolts. Do you have a camera you can mount under your truck and take it for a spin?
 
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