Snap, Crackle, Pop - Front End Noises

[dhcomp]

So, rather suddenly, my truck has developed some weird popping noises in the front end while steering.

I get a pop about 3/4 of the way to the far left lock, and a smaller one about 3/4 of the way to right lock.

My OE steering box was falling apart, and i put a delco reman in about 8k ago.

It felt a bit tighter for about a day.

Just did the sector shaft adjustment, and as much as it tightened up the response a bit (good), the popping is still there.

Had my trusty helper work the wheel back and forth for 10 min twice, laying under the car, grabbing everything that could be moving.

Sounds like its loudest in the drivers side (steering box?), but EVERYTHING i can find is tight.

Springs, ubolts, shocks, steering box, steering brace, motor mounts, etc. Just lubed up the spring bushings.

Any thoughts?

Was going to figure it out eventually, but now that the new truck is delayed, i'm towing to shasta in a week. help

 

[diesel4me]

Look for cracks in the frame around the steering box,watch the box while a helper moves the wheel,sometimes you'll be able to feel it with your hand on the box when it "pops"...could be loose or sheared frame to crossmember rivets also,they often break,the ones at the sway bar x member and engine mount ones often shear..especially on lifted trucks or ones that have been flexed off road..

Other things to check--spring center bolts sheared,loose u-bolts often let them shear and cause sloppy steering and response--the front leaf spring eyes often break where they are doubled up too,and let the leaves move..

I assume you already checked the lug nuts,and the ball joints and tie rod ends?..

 

[sweetk30]

seen bad frozen axle shaft u-joints cause steering problems .

 

[dhcomp]

Truck hasn't sat more than a week or 2 at a time, so guessing the joints aren't frozen. Worth a shot though.

Steering box doesnt' move at all, but the sector shaft shifts up and down a fair bit.

Have a replacement warranty ac delco box coming, and will do a full preload and sector adjustment before install.

Hm, what else..

 

[K85 Octane]

louder radio?

 

[sweetk30]

Truck hasn't sat more than a week or 2 at a time, so guessing the joints aren't frozen. Worth a shot though.

.

front axle shaft joints when they dry up and go bad can look fine but be super stiff / sticky / and freeze up . this creates memory steer and noises .

 

[blazinzuk]

Put a wrench on the shackle bolts. I had an upper shackle bolt break in the middle. Nothing seemed loose and just sitting there it really didn't move much but man turn one way driving and a loud pop/bang noise. But only one. Turning the other way it was much quiter

 

[dhcomp]

Tightened up all the shackle bolts, so we're good there.

Definitely need to check u joints. I forget that those don't spin most of the summer. Its been 2-3 months since I had it in 4wd.

We shall see. Thanks for the suggestions.

 

[Jester1]

Had the same problem twice. Once in an 86 k30 and once in a 79 burb. Check the bushings on your sway bar. If they are worn then you will get the popping sound while turning. Sounds like a quick fast pop not really a slower pop with resonance if that makes sense.

 

[dyeager535]

I assume you already checked the...the ball joints and tie rod ends?..

What I was thinking as well. I would bet dried up they would make all sorts of noise.

Being under the truck like that, I'd think you'd have figured out where the sound comes from though, ball joints are quite a ways from the steering box.

Jack it up, move the steering then?

 

[dhcomp]

Noise is greatly reduced with wheels off the ground.

Sway bar rubbers are good, and aren't the source.

I laid under there for quite a while. Thanks for the suggestion though.

 

[Burbdood 74]

Axle shaft U-joints perhaps?

 

[dhcomp]

Put it in 4wd to turn the shafts and sounds are the same. Sounds like frame/spring. Still haven't found the culprit, but something is weong

 

[Big Ray]

spring bushings and worn out front springs.

 

[dhcomp]

Haven't forgotten about the old beast!

Closing escrow, traveling, getting kinks worked out of the dmax have slowed me down, but i'm back working on the 91.

Replaced the steering box with a warranty replacement for the ac delco rebuild i put in less than a year ago.

Seems to have gotten rid of the noise! We'll see after some more driving, but think i got a bad box the last time.