2nd Gen Non-Engine/Transmission POP in front end as I come to stop

[Henry]

I noticed recently that as I come to a stop, just as I'm about to let up on the brakes, I hear a pronounced pop in the front end. I inspected and found the HEIM joint on my DT track bar was sloppy. I replace that, but the pop remains. I'm having a bugger of a time isolating the pop. I get no popping when steering, even while parked. Any thoughts would be appreciated!

 

[Alphacowboy]

I have the same issue, been chasing it for over a year... .



Check your lower shock bolts... that was on of my issues. The bolts had worn so that they were not snug in the bushings anymore. .

 

[RSimmons]

I just fixed mine... . only poped when bakeing forward and real bad if I hit the brakes firmly in reverse. It was the front control arm bushings.

 

[Cummins Thunder]

I second the control arm bushings. 3rd gen lower control arms will fit in place of 2nd gen lowers (MUCH better bushing) but im not sure about the upper.

 

[Signal73]

I second the control arm bushings. 3rd gen lower control arms will fit in place of 2nd gen lowers (MUCH better bushing) but im not sure about the upper.

thats good to know.

 

[Henry]

I wondered if it could be the control arm bushings, but I have Skyjacker control arms and bushings which are much tougher than stock. I didn't detect any slop, but I probably wasn't putting enough force on them. I'll give that a whirl, they have been on there a while anyway.

 

[RSimmons]

I could not spot any that were obviously loose either. I even got under there with a large pry bar and never found anything that was a little loose. The bushings were all that was left So, I installed Energy Suspension urethanes... . what a difference !

 

[SRath]

You should have heard and felt the front suspension on my Volvo tractor recently. Worn spring eye bushings will do the same thing as worn control arm bushings.





I had to make one of our mechanics go for a brief ride with me to show him how bad the "pop" in my front suspension was. It was either that or I was going home since I would NOT drive it anymore. With nearly 12,000 pounds on that axle, 68000 more pounds on the axles behind it, and going 65 mph, it was getting downright scary.



"We're sorry Mrs. Rath, but despite 25 years and 2 and a half million accident-free miles, Scott must have screwed up and fallen asleep right before hitting that concrete overpass... "



Mechanics think we drivers just make things up to annoy them... but you should have seen him jump when i hit a small bump and that "POP" let loose. He had it red-tagged immediately. Too bad they waited so long to listen to me though. The spring hanger, part of the engine/frame crossmember was beyond saving. The bushings came out in pieces. What a huge expensive job tearing the entire front end off the truck and replacing EVERYTHING...



Grease is cheap; parts aren't...

 

[CumminsPower98]

I once had a popping front end that took me some time to locate. It turned out to be a control arm bolt that wasn't tight enough and would move a little between forward and reverse braking. That was on my stock arms. I now have custom built arms I made.

 

[scotmartin]

Check the eccentric holders. My eccentrics were pooping out of place.

 

[Cummins Thunder]

I wondered if it could be the control arm bushings, but I have Skyjacker control arms and bushings which are much tougher than stock. I didn't detect any slop, but I probably wasn't putting enough force on them. I'll give that a whirl, they have been on there a while anyway.

I had the skyjacker arms for about 20,000 miles and when I pulled them to put on new factory arms the bushings were trashed.