Clicking / Popping Slow Sharp Turns

[roperninja]

Over the last couple months this has gotten louder. When almost at a full turn of the wheel, and at slow speed I hear this clicking/ popping noise from the front end, sounds closer to driver side but that could just be because I am on the driver side. Mostly notice this when parking or U turns. I lifted the truck and wiggled the tires, noticed play in wheel bearings; when I went in to replace them I noticed the nut was not snug allowing the wiggle. Rather than just tightening them I just replaced them while in there. This only solved a bouncing of the tires at +70 mph on highway, but not the low speed turning creaking popping noises.

 

Also to note, while doing these sharp turns the tires seem to raise and fight eachother and chirp. I did put taller than factory tires on it months ago before I began regularly driving it too.

 

Lastly, I just went out and greased the ball joints and tie rod ends.

 

I do drive this vehicle daily, I am hoping I dont explode and die down the highway.

[Portdriver]

What are you driving? 4 X 4 ? Did you check ALL U joints? Steering box, pitman arm?

[roperninja]

2wd. No I have not checked those. I am handy, but I came here for instruction because diagnosis and what to look for are not my forte. Replacing most parts should not be a problem though. However if its any steering component I would rather just do multiple at a time then once found because I am not a fan of going to get multiple alignments.

[Portdriver]

Get the front end up on jack stands and shake everything on the front. or pry with a bar. Nothing should be lose or moving.

[roperninja]

Doing it right now. Will report back.

[roperninja]

No play up and down motion. No wiggling play left and right however if I push through while turning the tires left and right by hand it turns about three quarters an inch in each direction, with all steering components seeming to follow.

[roperninja]

After greasing everything the popping went away. Ball Joints, tie rod ends, pitman arm, idler arm. I greased the ball joints and tie rods earlier and the sound was still there. But this time I did it with the front end off the ground. Makes a difference? Or was it one of the other parts I then later greased?

[txab]

Post more info about your truck next time. You're likely to get more help. Year, mileage etc.......

[brainpause]

After greasing everything the popping went away. Ball Joints, tie rod ends, pitman arm, idler arm. I greased the ball joints and tie rods earlier and the sound was still there. But this time I did it with the front end off the ground. Makes a difference? Or was it one of the other parts I then later greased?

 

 

I am far from expert on this topic, but I suspect it since you greased while up in the air, you got grease in more places since the components had to go through a larger range of motion when you going back down to the ground. Maybe you got grease where it needed to go then.

[roperninja]

Post more info about your truck next time. You're likely to get more help. Year, mileage etc.......

 

 

Thx for the help.

 

After greasing everything the popping went away. Ball Joints, tie rod ends, pitman arm, idler arm. I greased the ball joints and tie rods earlier and the sound was still there. But this time I did it with the front end off the ground. Makes a difference? Or was it one of the other parts I then later greased?

 

 

I am far from expert on this topic, but I suspect it since you greased while up in the air, you got grease in more places since the components had to go through a larger range of motion when you going back down to the ground. Maybe you got grease where it needed to go then.

 

 

This was my ameteur opinion too! Haha! However I just dont want to cover up a real issue with grease and thats why I came here.

 

I did some more wiggling, I think there is play in the pitman arm.

[Doug_Scott]

You will also want to check steering stops. Lube them as well. Steering stops are usually just flat metal pads that touch each other when wheel is at full lock. Sometimes they get dry and will make loud noises when the suspension moves while at full lock.

[roperninja]

Will do! Didn't even think of that! Thanks!