Front Axle Popping/Snapping sound Driver side HELP

[mad103]

I've been experiencing a snapping popping sound in the front axle driver side. I was told by a friend that it may be the u joint but we werent sure bc my truck has really low miles, like 26k. Could it really need replacing already? I greased it up a bit and it kind of stopped but its back again. Should I grease it up again or just look into replacing it? How much would it cost for such a job?

FYI, the snapping only goes off when I'm doing a slight turn and there is a bump or dip (ex pulling into or out of a driveway or parking lot)

[Lilfarmrboy]

If you get an answer to this please let me know. I have the same issue, driver side front wheel makes a popping noise and a lugging that you can feel in the truck when I turn the wheel all the way to the right and back up. Going straight is just fine. The wheel bearings were just replaced 2 months ago also so its not that. Went underneath with a large prybar and everything including the U joints were just fine with no play. 2004 F250 4x4

[mad103]

Will do! I hope someone can chime in and help

[mad103]

I just went to an off road specialist shop and was told that I needed to replace the ball joints, bearings, bushings etc (basically the entire front end) bc our trucks were not meant to be lifted more than 4". I dont see how that is possible, especially, considering my truck has very low miles on it ~26k

[Lilfarmrboy]

My truck is stock and from what I have been reading on the fourms this is a common problem that usually can be solved by a new set of sway bar bushings from Energy Suspension.

Energy Suspension 4.5186 Complete Front Sway Bar and End Link Bushings Set - 32mm - 1.5 Inch Endlink Eyes

I'm not saying this will solve everyones problem but since these are rather inexpensive this might be a good area to start. Do a search in the search box on the forums. There is a ton of info on frontend knocking and it being fixed with this swap. A good way to check if you need ball joints is to jack up your truck till your wheel is about 1 inches off of the gound, stick a pry bar under the wheel and jerk up. If there is no play and the wheel stays put with no movement than you do not need new ball joints. Sadly most of these places tell you this just to get as much money as they can from you. If it was your bearings with the wheel jacked up 2 inches off of the ground take your hands in the 10 and 2 o'clock position and shake the tire back and forth. If you have a lot of play and back and forth movement without your truck moving then your bearing is shot. Also spin the tire and see if you feel or hear any metal on metal.

[roadhogsford]

I have the same priblem with mineafter i bought it i got under it and looked and looked and looked but nothin seemed out of the ordinary then after a few days went buy i got to thinkin bout it and i went back under and the leaf springs were sliding back in fourth in the shackle i bought new bushings and it still did it so i got to talkin to a couple people and basically i need new front leaf springs because who ever installed them did it wrong hope this helps ta out


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[ZMANN]

man between needing new leaf springs ( BS) PSthe OP has no front leafs

and a whole new front end diagnosis because these trucks ""aren't meant to be lifted more than a few inches"" makes Me cringe at the poor information ,,

this coming from a guy with a 8 inch lift since day 1 and 90K miles = 1 set of ball joints cause the dealer wanted some warranty work LOL

[Lilfarmrboy]

Sadly there are so many dealerships out there who just want your money... they don't call them Stealerships for nothing.

[mad103]

Originally Posted by ZMANN

man between needing new leaf springs ( BS) PSthe OP has no front leafs

and a whole new front end diagnosis because these trucks ""aren't meant to be lifted more than a few inches"" makes Me cringe at the poor information ,,

this coming from a guy with a 8 inch lift since day 1 and 90K miles = 1 set of ball joints cause the dealer wanted some warranty work LOL

Thanks boss for the info. I found it hard to believe since Ive seen hunderds of lifted trucks. Did you ever experience any sound like I am? Could it be needing to replace the U joint? I would like to figure it out because I would like to try to do the work myself but would hate to start taking things apart before having a clear idea of what it could be

[ZMANN]

to Me it sounds like a possible U joint issue just from your temp lube fix
also the track bars can pop if the top bolt isn't tight ( 400 ft lbs )
or the bushing is warn

it usually takes someone turning the steering back and forth and an observer to find some issues or a decent front end shop