2nd Gen Non-Engine/Transmission front end ticking noise

[RBratby]

today i went out to my truck to go visit my wife at work. when i turned my first corner i heard a ticking noise out of the drivers side front. i went back home and checked my diff fluid and it was normal. i inspected the front end and i found that my steering box is leaking. would this cause a ticking noise? it does not do this noise when im sitting still. it only does it when the truck is moving. it also only does it when im turning a corner. it doesnt drive any different. i just drove 100 miles to work and the only time i heard the noise was when i turn. what could the problem be? thanks

 

[SEmerson]

you have a front u joint at the end of the axle that is bad. I had the same thing before. reach in to the knuckle and you will be able to wiggle the u joint.

 

[RBratby]

i know the passerger side is going bad. i can wiggle that one ill have to go see if i can do it to the drivers side. it that is the cause thats sucks. you have to pull the front diff apart to replace that one.

 

[RBratby]

i guess ishould have waited to post my last post. i went out and checked it. i can wiggle the pass side but not the drivers side. the seals on my drivers side axle must be out. i can feel the diff fluid on the bottom ball joint. is that a big problem? could this be the cause of the noise? btw it also has a little bit of a grinding noise when it making the ticking noise.

 

[SEmerson]

Not a big problem unless you run low on oil.

 

[RBratby]

kind of a stuid question but what is low. how low is to low? when i stick my finger in the hole i go to the first joint and pull it out. i have fluid on my finger. the fluid is not to the bottom of the hole. it is about an 1/8 inch down. i just had all the ball joints replaced. when they took the diff cover off and refilled it that is where they put it. they told me any higher and it would pressurize the diff and blow out my seals. is this true or should i find a new shop?

 

[CumminsPower98]

Seems like I have heard that the level needs to be about 1/2" below the hole. I know if I fill mine to the bottom of the hole and go on a longer trip, say over 100 miles, it will start puking oil out the vent hose.



Jack the font end up and check your wheel bearings to make sure they are tight and turn smooth.

 

[RBratby]

semerson you were right. i took a better look at the front end today. here is what i noticed. the universal at the end of the axle is bad. i can wiggle it. i also checked the wheel bearing for play by pushing on the top and pulling out on the bottom of the tire. it didnt have any play. if the problem was the wheel bearing wouldnt i have a noise in the front end all the time not only on turns? on turns is the only time the front end has a tick. what do i have to do to get to the universal out of there? it is the universal on the drivers side. thanks

 

[SEmerson]

It is really pretty easy. You can get them at napa. Take off the wheel. Then the caliper. Then the 4 bolts on the back side. Then the whole asssembly will slide out. Be carefull of the seals (suport the axel as pulling). Then just press or beat the caps out.