I have a 2000 Extended Cab 2WD and installed the 3.5 inch lift spindles in front of my truck. Ever since I installed the kit everytime I turn the wheel full lock either way I hear a popping noise. Has anybody else ever experienced this? What is it making the noise and what can I do to get rid of it? Thanks for any help you can offer!

 

How many miles are on the truck? Chance's are if you put oversized tires on too your ball joints are probably at the end of their life. Or the popping noise could be the tire catching on the fender when it turns.

 

69,000 miles. It clears all the way around

 

Ball joint's if there factory. There where shot at about 50k. Or it could possibly be outer tie rods too, but now would be a good time to replace all those. What size tires are you running?

 

285/65/18 Nitto Terra Grapplers. I don't know much about these trucks and lift kits. When I installed the kit I put front spindles on it and blocks in the rear. I put new shocks in all the way around. Is there anything else I should worry about?

 

No you should be good, it's probably from the added stress of the oversized tires finally sent the ball joint's over the edge. I'd recommend going with moog parts since they're greaseable so it should make them last longer. Also it's most likely the lower ball joint's that are causing it, mine just started making the sound with 56k on the truck and my upper's only have about 10k on them so it kinda eliminates those. But if your gonna have it done you might as well do all at once.

 

That makes sense. Thanks for the help. Do you have a 2WD you lifted or is yours a 4WD?

 

2WD also, but I have spindles and lift coils with aftermarket control arms to get 6.5". And no problem I'm happy to help ha

 

I have another question for you. I Put 9'' wide wheels on and I dont quite like how much they stick out. Would going to and 8'' wide wheel help that?

 

The wider the wheel the more wide the tire will look, the more narrow the taller the tire will work. However since you said sticking out how much backspacing is on the wheels? Because you have to remember the spindles bump the front out an additional 1.5".

 

They are a -12 offset, so I believe that is 4.50''

 

Going to an 8" will make them tuck in a little more and that might be your only option because I'm pretty sure a wheel with 5" backspacing will cause some rubbing issues on the control arm.

 

Thanks for all the help. I am trying to figure out what the best combination so that the front wheel doesnt stick out as much as it does now. Im thinking of changing over to 295/70/17 Trail Grappler with a 8'' wide wheel. Let me know if you have any more pointers or things I should watch out for!

 

I think it'd look better with the spindle lift, you can clear a 33" tire and they'll fill in the wheel wells better too. Now those tire's are a little wider but since your going to an 8" wheel and they're taller they won't seem to be as wide or stick out as much.

 

before you go replacing ball joints check and see if you over tightened your sway bar end links. common mistake. your supposed to install them with the truck on its own weight and you dont want them too tight other wise they pop when turning