"Popping" Sound From Front-end on Slow Turns?

[Buffalo]

My '03, QC, 3500 SRW, 4X4, NV-5600, Lorenz Bilstein 5100 Suspension, Defiant Steering Sector Shaft Stabilizer & about 78,000 miles is starting to develop a "popping" sound at slow speeds &, only, when turning the steering wheel (such as turning into the driveway, etc. ). When turning the wheel at 20/25 mph. or more does not produce the sound.



I've looked underneath the front-end & can see nothing unusual & I haven't felt anything loose when manually trying to jiggle suspension/steering parts. However, I'm not a mechanic with experience. I was just looking for the obvious things that may be wrong.



Front bearings & universal joints seem to be an occasional problem on these trucks & I'm wondering if this is what is happening to mine.



If its the ball joints, do you guys recommend the Carli's? I do not drive this truck on off-road excursions very often, either. 99% on highway/paved road use. Lately, I just use the truck to tow my trailer. Last trip was to May Madness. I first noticed the "popping" as I was hitching the trailer up for that trip. I plan on keeping the truck for a long time & would like to fix the problem the best way.



Any thoughts or suggestions would be appreciated!!!



Thanks.



Joe F.

 

[Slow Six]

I'd guess it is an axle u-joint.

 

[DFairhurst]

My radius arm bushings went out an did the samething. drove me bonkers had everthing replaced an still poped only at low speed when turning an any little bump. . which my drive way has. Have them pulled out an inspect the bushings mine were worn an moving around... If its not lifted Im sure you can find some with low miles on them from any 4x4 hop that has lifted someone else truck. good luck

 

[DFairhurst]

Axle ujoint usually have a vibration at hwy speeds or feels like its in 4wd

 

[TRAMPLINEMAN]

Axle ujoint usually have a vibration at hwy speeds or feels like its in 4wd

My '94 didnt have any vibration at all and it didn't feel like it was in 4wd. Like Buffalo's, it only did it during slow turns and it was the drivers side axle joint. Not saying that's the problem here, but it was with mine.

 

[DGamelin]

Axle u-joint. Might be rusted up so it wont feel lose.

 

[Steve St.Laurent]

Not sure what the trac bar design is like on the 3rd gen but that's exactly the symptoms I see when my trac bar is going out on my 2nd gen. Have someone else sit in the truck with it running and turn the steering wheel left and right. Lay down in front of the truck while they are doing it and watch the track bar end links and see if you see it pop there. It's always been obvious on mine when I watched it.

 

[SSalzer]

Had the same exact problem after installing my Lorenz system. Went back and re-tightened all bolts. Popping went away.

 

[Yo Hoot]

Mine did that and it was the track bar. The bolt where it attaches to the frame. I have a Thuren aftermarket unit. You have to torque that sucker real good. If you don't it shifts inside the hole.

 

[MartyK]

I agree with Steve and Yo Hoot. I have the Thuren track bar too. I used red Loctite and tightened it real good. It's been fine ever since.

 

[FDavid]

Another vote for trackbar.

 

[Mobius1]

Mine did that and it was the track bar. The bolt where it attaches to the frame. I have a Thuren aftermarket unit. You have to torque that sucker real good. If you don't it shifts inside the hole.

Exactly the same problem I had with mine. Although mine only did it when I turned right. I thought that am impact would be tight enough, but I still had to torque it another 1/4 turn with a half inch breaker bar to get it tight. Torque specs on those are high too like 140ft-lbs.



But yes either a track bar, track bar bushing, or front axle u-joints, my front joints are starting to go bad, I can hear them when the truck is coasting, kinda like a clunking sound.



You have the same leveling kit as I do Buffalo, and w/o a track bar the front suspension was off center. As far as Balljoints, definitely 100% carli. They are kinda pricey, but I say do it one and do it right. With upper and lower carli's, track, bar and 5100 Lorenz the truck has never driven better, even when it was brand new!

 

[GreasyCummins06]

I have the same problem. I jacked her up and I have a little play in what seems to be the upper ball joint. The side that klunks (binding sound) has a little more slop than the the side that doesn't (pass side) but both sides do move a little. When I try to spin the tire when they are turned either left of right, it is very difficult (in spots) to spin and it wants to straighten the wheels out. My first thought was the axle u-joints but after reading all the stuff on TDR about ball joints I started shopping for them instead. Now I've decided to throw a u-joint at it becasue it is so much cheaper. I'll keep this post posted on the verdict. By the way, does anyone have instructions/advice on installing the u-joint? Are there any special tools required? I think I should be able to remove the hub, u-joint, and axle shaft all in one and have it pressed out and the new pressed in at a shop, right? Thats how clueless I am about this. I only have 21 days before my family and I drive to Florida from Alaska (5500 miles) so I have to get this done right and right now. Thanks for any help. (2006 2500 mega cab)