Last night as I pulled into a parking lot, I made a hard right turn and noticed a klunk-pop noise. I dove home as I had a family Christmas gathering later that night. when I got to the gathering I had to drive around a large pole building to park due to vehicles parked in the lane. I noticed this noise more prominently when on the frozen gound and it seemed to be a suspension noise more then steering. When I got home I put it in the garage, jacked it up and set it on jack stands. I couldn't find anything wrong with balljoints, tierod ends (outers) I couldn't feel anything wrong with cv joints as I rotated wheels straight ahead and to either extreme. I looked for cracked torsion bars, busted end links or bolts. The only thing I noticed was alot of "slop" in drivetrain between wheels when I swiched the **** to 4x4, while on the stands.and turned wheel one direction then the other.. I am not familiar with IFS or Central Axle Disconect front ends. Up till now I drove old technology with solid front axles. Is all this "slop" normal. There did sound like a lot of slop to the ear. but I figure most of that is taken up when the front input driveshaft drives the differental. Instead of taking out all the lack between axle, carrier,spriders, etc.

I couldn't feel any play in tie rods when I rocked each wheel back and forth. This is my family hauler and I intend to pull camper. Just want to make sure the family is safe. I noticed that FoMoCo didn't waste any more steel then neccessary on the A-arms. Has anyone had one brake.? This is a 2001 Supercrew 4x4 5.4 auto with 3.55. Also all of this happen while the truck was in two wheel drive. one final note, it has been pretty cold here in Indiana this week around 12 degrees F. I don't know if this would have any bearing on the situation. I have been driving the truck to work and such and don't really notice any problems or excessive noises, its just kind of like somthing is loose somewhere and I can't find it. I am a mechanic by trade and am getting throughly aggrivated with this one. And it's my own. Hope you guys have an answer or another idea.

 

Hello Skip584,

I have a 2000 4x4, and it had a similar problem. Turns out it was one of the front axles was binding on tight turns like in a parking situation. I took it to a shop that I trusted and they were able to reproduce the problem bye turn the steering back and forth as far as it would go a few times then pulling forwards a foot or two doing it again. The technician's assistance could feel the axle pop by putting his hand on the hubcap. I had the right front axle replaced with a rebuilt one for about $300 and the clunk-pop noise is completely gone.

 

all you need to do is grease the steering stops on the lower control arm. look under your truck in the rear of the lower control arm you will see a 'v' groove that is the steering stop,it should be shinny. just slap a little grease in there and you will be good to go. I have done it many times.....

 

Check the bolt that holds the front sway bar, mine was broke, and made a clunking sound also.