Front end clunking sounds like 4wd

Slimzimm165 · January 2, 2016

I'm getting a popping/clunking noise in the front end of my 2000 silverado 1500. It sounds/feels identical to when you make sharps turns in 4wd I dry pavement. I just had my inner tie rods replaced and only the day after I picked it up from the shop did it start doing this. I have abnormal tire wear on my front drivers side tire, and I know that hub needs replaced. This noise doesn't sound like the hub is causing it and I can't replicate the sound unless I'm driving. I'm thinking it could be the cv axle or steering shaft. What are your guys' thoughts?

diyer2 · January 2, 2016

My guess cv joint.

Jack up the right front tire, spin tire, listen for noise. Grab tire at 10 and 2 o"clock, spin tire clockwise 90 degrees, reverse direction quickly, listen for noise in cv joint. Rotate tire back and forth, if the cv joint is bad you'll know.

Did they do a front end alignment after the tie rods were replaced? Is the wheel bearing bad or to loose.

Slimzimm165 · January 2, 2016

I've jacked both sides up, rotated tires, and they just spin free, no noise or grabbing. The hub is shot, and needs replaced to pass inspection, tire wear has been going on for a month or so. This noise/feel is pretty violent. It jumps/pulls like when in 4x4, not like a ticking or tapping, or a grinding like the cv and hub usually make, as far as I know . doesn't seem to be the hub or cv axle causing it. I could be wrong.

absinthminded · January 2, 2016

I had one of the camber bolts loosen up on me on the drivers side upper control arm. It made a clunk sound when I turned the wheel left and right. Had my wife turn the wheel back and forth while I watched. Kinda sounds like a bad CV. I know that when I had one go bad on another car, the boot split, threw all the grease and then I would click while turning. I'd start replacing what you already know is bad.

Slimzimm165 · January 3, 2016

Well, I found out this morning that either my rear diff or my drive shaft failed. Driving down the road and I heard a loud grinding and I guess kinda dropped outta gear. Truck stayed running but wasn't in any gear. Kinda glad I didn't go fishing for parts in the front end before this happened

asilverblazer · January 6, 2016

If the driveshaft failed you'd know it. Sounds like the differential was going bad, locking up the rear tires causing the truck to feel like a 4wd.

Kristine · July 26, 2021

I have a 05 chevy sliverado 4x4 1500 5.3 z71 and I the same problem but I changed my cv axel, and the noise is still there , last winter I took the front diff. Off cuz it clunked and I thought my transfer case went bad again, as I drove it more it wouldent get out of 3rd gear, ok new transmission went it, and since then we tried to put the diff. Back in and it won't fit.. thats cuzbi have a different trans in it... ok back to my clunking and grinding and squeeling I changed the drivers drive axel and it is still making that noise im stumped and ima bout to cry any thoughts on qhat it could be im desperate here and need help thanks KRH

Sharpz · July 26, 2021

5 minutes ago, Kristine said:

I have a 05 chevy sliverado 4x4 1500 5.3 z71 and I the same problem but I changed my cv axel, and the noise is still there , last winter I took the front diff. Off cuz it clunked and I thought my transfer case went bad again, as I drove it more it wouldent get out of 3rd gear, ok new transmission went it, and since then we tried to put the diff. Back in and it won't fit.. thats cuzbi have a different trans in it... ok back to my clunking and grinding and squeeling I changed the drivers drive axel and it is still making that noise im stumped and ima bout to cry any thoughts on qhat it could be im desperate here and need help thanks KRH

1st you should have changed both axles at the same time. Check for play in your wheels with front of truck jacked up. It could just be a wheel bearing. If you change one you should just do both.