I have a 97 f150 4x4 w/ a 6" susp. lift and 3" body lift, 38" PJ's. Anyways, there is a HORRIBLE ticking/clicking noise coming from the front left wheel.The noise is pretty much constant while driving, but when I turn left or brake it's REALLY LOUD. It makes no sound when I turn right. I thought it was the wheel bearing/hub assembly so I replaced it. No better. Now my next guess is the CV axle. I can move that shaft side to side a little bit while the one on the right side doesn't move. I would like to be sure thats the problem before I spend another $200 on an assumption. I also have a lot of squeaking coming from somewhere. I was told it is common for 97's. Is this true? All input on this is welcome. Thanks.

 

yes it is your half shaft that is making the noise

 

thanx for responding bigtruck311. i went ahead and replaced the CV axle but i am still hearing that noise. i was then told that since i have weld wheels it could be a broken wheel because they are 2 piece wheels. so i rotated the front and rear wheels. no different. seems that when i tighten the lug nuts the sound goes away for a lil while. what else could it possibly be? i did have a lug nut get cross threaded so i went a lil while w/ only 4. when i replaced the hub assembly it came w/ studs so i got a new nut and put it on. well it happened to be the wrong nut and stripped it again.back to 4 nuts. anyways could having only 4 lug nuts on that wheel cause that noise? it's driving me f'n crazy. PLEASE HELP!!!

 

I know I'm off topic, and I wish you luck in your quest to fix this problem, but while you're spending all that money fixing things that aren't broken, want to get us some pictures of your truck anyway, sounds badass.

 

only thing i can really recomend is to jack up the front of the vehicle and try to move the tire front to back side to side, then if no movement is present try moving the drag link tie rod ends sway bar end links, idler arm pitman arm, try moving the shocks to see if you have a blown bushing anywere or if anything is loose, and if everything checks out fine than you could lift all 4 tires off the groung just make sure it is very secure i recomend lifting it from the frame and puting it in 4 wheel drive and see if you cand find out were the sound is coming from that way just make sure it is very secure before you try this method for obveus reasons, good luck tracking down the problem

 

i have one quick question. if i hold the cv axle shaft between the 2 boots, should i be able to move the shaft side to side? the passenenger side shaft doesn't move but the drivers side (which i just replaced ) does move about 1/4". this noise is killin' me. i'm almost ready to sell the damn truck!! lol

 

no it should not move at all, if it is moving from the shaft end you need to tighten your spindle nut on the end of the cv axle, if this is not were it is loose than the cv shaft itself has to much play or was not made right and you should replace, good luck

 

Drive your truck with your foot on the brakes and see if it still makes the noise you are talking about.