'06 Sierra - Front Drive Shaft Clunk

[GMCanuck]

So I tried searching the topic, but the search feature seems to have crashed on me, so I have to ask...

 

I've been hearing a noticable clunking in the driver's side front end for the last while - seems to be coming through the floor at my feet. Thinking it sounded like ball joints, I lifted the wheel and did all the usual checks. All seemed well. Today, I slid under and took another look around. I found the in-board (differential) end of the front left drive axle to have some lateral movement - not much, but definitely enough to make noise. The out-board (wheel) end seemed tight. I checked the passenger side and found all to be tight there as well.

 

I'm thinking this axle could be the problem. Is there a bearing in there that could be worn out, or is the shaft gone?

 

Does anyone have a good description of this repair, or a good resource where I could look? I consider myself an accomplished back-yard mechaninc and have a good selection of tools in my garage. I've done similar work on our old Pathfinder in the past, but I would like to have specifics for this vehicle - what all comes off, and how to reassemble, incl. torques, etc.

 

Any help would be greatly appreciated - thanks.

[GMCanuck]

Sorry, I should have mentioned that the "clunk" happens when the suspension moves - over bumps or through holes. That's what made me originally think it was ball joints.

[svaneld]

Does it only happen over bumps or holes? Does it happen at all when starting from a stop or coming to a complete stop? I had a clunk that felt like it was directly under my feet and sounded that way outside as well. Mine mostly happened when I was starting from a stop and when i would come to a complete stop. It would happen sometimes over bumps. Mine ended up being the transmission mount. I changed that out and it has been good ever since.

[burnthefurniture]

I don't know if this is something you've already checked, but the intermediate steering shaft has long been known to provide a clunk noise/sound in the steering wheel and floorboard as you have described when driving over rough terrain, particularly at low speeds. I could be wrong, but it may be worth checking. FWIW, when my intermediate steering shaft started making noise I thought I was about to lose a ball joint or tie rod, and everything was tight as well.

[svaneld]

Great point about the steering shaft I am sorry I did not mention that. I had to replace mine right after buying my truck. It is a cheap quick and easy fix and could very well be your issue. I checked all sorts of stuff before I finally searched onlind and found out to check the intermediate steering shaft. My opinion for what it is worth is to see if you have the old steering shaft and if you do just replace and weather that is your problem or not at least then it wont be in the future.

[Beer Belly]

I had a "Clunk" from the floor of mine while going over bumps....it was not at my feet, but further back....ended up being the Torsion Bar Mount ripped out