What's new
CK5
Register an account today to become a member! Once signed in, you'll be able to participate on this site by adding your own topics and posts, as well as connect with other members.

Help ! Popping from front end

How about motor mounts worn out?
Open the hood.
Hold the brake.
Shift from forward to reverse and apply a little throttle.
If they are worn or bad, you'll get a pop and may see the engine jump up or shift excessively.
I suspect motor mounts because you got the sound both turning and backing up straight.
See if it is torque related maybe.
 
Not motor mounts, replaced them a couple years ago and checked all bolts yesterday
 
Spring center bolts loose or sheared can cause that,loose u-bolts too..

I had one truck that had a "thump" every time you took a full lock turn right or left,(did it more on left turns),you could feel it under your feet.like the floor was moving at the cab mount bolt..
I checked everything on the front end ,everything was good,no bad bushings,cracked spring eyes,ball joints and tie rods,steering box bolts were tight,no cracks around it where it bolted on--even replaced the shocks to no avail..

I was under the truck doing exhaust pipe repairs one day and noticed one of the transmission cross member bolts was missing..
I went to tighten the rest of them and two twisted right off,they were whittled down where they passed thru the frame and member..

Then I removed all of them and found out they were 3/8" bolts,and GM used 7/16" bolts factory--some of the holes were egged out,so I drilled them all to 1/2" and used 1/2" bolts..the cross member did not have the upper brackets that went to the top of the frame rail,it may have been left off,or maybe never had one ?..

Anyways,after the bolts were replaced ,I had no more "thump" noises..evidently the frame would flex enough during a turn to make the cross member "pop" on the loose bolts..
 
How much movement should/ could be in the rear of the front spring bushings, i can put. Crowbar between frame and spring eyelet and move it ( flex ) and get some movement up and down on bushings. If any of that makes sense, i get way more movement on pass side, drivers side barely moves
 
Also how squishy / soft should body mounts be ? My truck has original and pass rad support bottom body mount rubber seemed fairly soft, its not tore or deformed, jus poking it, seemed softer compared to others but not seeing any metal contact or anything that would “pop” there
 
If it makes the noise steering while not rolling, having an assistant turn the wheel could speed up the troubleshooting a lot.
 
Do what, I think, @Fordum did - strap yourself to the bottom of your truck and have someone take you for a spin. Just be careful of the driveshaft. :haha:
 
Last edited:
Getn to point might have to.

I have apt tomorrow for alignment, outside edge wearing on tires, so hope to find noise with help
 
I checked them best i could, jacked up truck, put 6 foot long spud bar under tire and lifted up and down, nothing moved other then tire deflecting and whole truck.
 
Had alignment checked today, said it was one of the best aligned on the road, no change made, checked complete front end, no issues

Pulled shock and drove, no change

Pulled leaf pushings and bolts, looked brand new

Checked every nut and bolt i could physically get to, none were loose.

Body mounts seem fine, nothing loose and they look good

Unless something funky with springs, but the seemed normal, nothing that stands out

Im outa ideas
 
Is the hanger in the video moving or is the spring pack shifting as it pops.
 
Sounds like shackle bushings or seized sleeve inside of the spring. As it moved and let’s go it will pop into place. I’d check there and the center pin area. If it’s broken it will let the springs flex and eventually fall out of the perch. It’s pisdible the springs are just rubbing on each other as the suspension moves as well. Most springs come with a Teflon sleeve between layers. When that wears out it’s metal in metal and something has to make noise when it’s moving.
 
Last edited:
I would suggest laying under the truck and having someone (preferably a pretty girl) steer the truck left and right, over and over. Watch every part, one by one, and you will find the problem. Also, a few feet of hose from your ear to any suspect area, will help you locate. Don't sling parts at it. Trust me on that.
 
My 72 did something similar with once, I had very loose steering from a broken front left leaf center pin and once I fixed that it tightened up the steering a ton but I suddenly had a clunk when turning. After a couple weeks I found my front left axle U-joint on my D44 was completely seized so my axle shaft only had one axis of turning so that it would spin and pop when you turned it. With the tires turned slightly try spinning your axle shafts by hand. If you can’t that might be your problem
 
Check the rivets mounting the shackle to the frame. I too have a popping sound and I have a rivet I can spin with my finger on the drivers side. It allows my whole spring pack to move about 1/2".
I was told to drill it out and replace it with a #8 hardened bolt.
 
ive done all the above, ive got about 6 hours of crawling around, removing shocks, sway bar, leAf bushings, cheching bolts , rivets, cross members, checked u joints front. And back, checked ball joints, tie rods, steering stabilizer, motor mounts, trans mounts, transfecase support rods, ive checked it with hammers, crow bars, pry bars, visual and physicsl inspections

Ive checked axle you joints, the move freely, evetything is tight
 
The sound isnt limited to one side, it travels left to right depending on movement of truck,
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Latest Posts

Top Bottom