badmix
1/2 ton status
It seems to be happening more often, but I get a popping noise when Im driving truck on pavement and jus barely turning the wheel and if I hit small bumps. Nothing feels loose thru the steering. What things should I check for?
CK5
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Popping noises from front end **NOW WITH PICS & VIDEO***
- Thread starter badmix
- Start date
k20
3/4 ton status
Wheel bearings, balljoints, etc. Heck, my drivers side front spring pops a little from where my steering box spit its guts all over the place and it collected a bunch of dust in all the fluid, now it pops....sigh
Also check behind the steering box for cracks.
Also check behind the steering box for cracks.
Can Can
Pusher Man
Take a close look at your drag link ends..........
badmix
1/2 ton status
Take a close look at your drag link ends..........
Okay, dont laugh, but what are drag link ends?
the ends of the link between your steering box arm and the axle
badmix
1/2 ton status
thanks. So, I jus get under there shake stuff around?
yeah that can do it. it helps to have somebody in the driver seat moving the steering wheel back and forth like 11-1 o'clock and you watch whats going on under there. you will spot the loose or worn out stuff easy like that.
badmix
1/2 ton status
Okay, I spent some time under my truck. First, I had the lower leaf spring a lil crocked in the leaf pak. So , I smacked it straight with a BFH and then tightened the U bolts/nuts down, they werent loose but I could get a 1/4 turn on the drivers side nuts, the pass. was fine. COuld this cause sounds from the front?
On to the my other discoveries. Now I dont know much about steering and suspension and am learning, so bare with me on this. I know what the PITMAN arm is. Now there is a part that goes from the pitman arm back to some part of the steering, it looks like this has 2 ball joints on either end. *SEE PIC BELOW. ANyways, the there is grease fittings, etc. But the rubber is destroyed at the back portion of this rod. Could that cause issues. Also the truck was on the ground (not jacked up or anything, not running, nothing) and I can twist this arm some, Im guessing its rotating on the ball joint. Also the tie rod bar that goes in front of the axle from one side to the other I can move it (twist it) Im guessing this is normal cause its a ball and socket design?
So my questions are this. Is the moving/twisting normal? how can I tell if any of these compenents are bad? The rubber at the back of the one "drag link" I think its called is really bad, can this cause issues?
Here is the pic of the rod (draglink?) that goes from pitman arm back, I can twist this prtty good. also the back section rubber is fubar.
Here is the back portion of the draglink. The BLACK is my finger (wearing gloves obviously) and im pulling down the rubber part. Is that bad?
On to the my other discoveries. Now I dont know much about steering and suspension and am learning, so bare with me on this. I know what the PITMAN arm is. Now there is a part that goes from the pitman arm back to some part of the steering, it looks like this has 2 ball joints on either end. *SEE PIC BELOW. ANyways, the there is grease fittings, etc. But the rubber is destroyed at the back portion of this rod. Could that cause issues. Also the truck was on the ground (not jacked up or anything, not running, nothing) and I can twist this arm some, Im guessing its rotating on the ball joint. Also the tie rod bar that goes in front of the axle from one side to the other I can move it (twist it) Im guessing this is normal cause its a ball and socket design?
So my questions are this. Is the moving/twisting normal? how can I tell if any of these compenents are bad? The rubber at the back of the one "drag link" I think its called is really bad, can this cause issues?
Here is the pic of the rod (draglink?) that goes from pitman arm back, I can twist this prtty good. also the back section rubber is fubar.
Here is the back portion of the draglink. The BLACK is my finger (wearing gloves obviously) and im pulling down the rubber part. Is that bad?
badmix
1/2 ton status
Im working on uploading the video. so bare with me.
Anyways, I did check wheel bearings. I jacked truck up and push/pulled top and bottom and then side to side, all was well. the shocks and mounts were fine. The steering box was in good shape, No cracks in the frame ( i do hve the ORD steering brace
). So everything is good. I even checked / looked at the motor mounts, they seem to be fine. The noises are like popping and creaking, a mix really.
Anyways, I did check wheel bearings. I jacked truck up and push/pulled top and bottom and then side to side, all was well. the shocks and mounts were fine. The steering box was in good shape, No cracks in the frame ( i do hve the ORD steering brace
). So everything is good. I even checked / looked at the motor mounts, they seem to be fine. The noises are like popping and creaking, a mix really.
Do you have the weld in or bolt in brace or both? It sounds like it could be a small crack around the steering box bolt holes. Does it do it when you turn the wheel in park?
badmix
1/2 ton status
Ive got the bolt in one. It makes noises no matter what I do. weather in a straight line or turning, etc.
badmix
1/2 ton status
Chrisblazzer89
1/2 ton status
The rod in the picture is a draglink.
viknguy
Registered Member
the first arm you showed you mite want to get that stuff replaced...i don't know much about the steering but it doesn't look to great to me..just my suggestion...the second part of the steering in the video that part seems ok, you have the same amount of movement as me on my truck
blazerbones
1/2 ton status
Sounds like your wheel bearings are adjusted tight (by your check)... but maybe some of the roller bearings could be jacked up... not sure there.
The rear draglink end boot looks shot to me (pictures you posted). I think that would lead to it's demise as it would not take/hold greese well.
The video you posted looked like about the same play (twist) as mine... and mine's fine.
Like earlier posted: Have someone turn the wheel back and forth while you inspect each connection/joint for slop. If there's a bad rod/link end, you should see it this way.
The rear draglink end boot looks shot to me (pictures you posted). I think that would lead to it's demise as it would not take/hold greese well.
The video you posted looked like about the same play (twist) as mine... and mine's fine.
Like earlier posted: Have someone turn the wheel back and forth while you inspect each connection/joint for slop. If there's a bad rod/link end, you should see it this way.
You mentioned there was a leaf spring twisted out a bit. Leaf springs can move back and forth a bit and cause a popping noise. My stock ones did this on the left side at the front of the spring pack. You can get someone to turn the wheels back and forth while you watch the springs and see if they are doing this. I fixed mine by installing my 4" lift springs.
badmix
1/2 ton status
Ive got 2" Rough country spring lift. I never retorques the UBolts once the kit was installed. So I was able to tighten the nuts down some, I havent driven it since. but will probably jus replace the Drag Links, etc. The truck is old with 125k on it, im sure those items are the org. Cheap insurance to keep my steering. lol.
You're draglink is shot. I still think you have a crack in the frame.
I would unbolt the steering box and give the frame a good look.
I would unbolt the steering box and give the frame a good look.
badmix
1/2 ton status
yeah ill do that when I replace the drag link.
Think it would be a good idea to replace the tie rod ends as well?
Sure, If they move easily and wont hold grease, I would replace them.
How are the ball joints?
