Hey yall, wanted to get some opinions from the masses.. I have some kind of problem with my front axle and don't know what it is. When I am turning sometimes, I hear and feel "popping" type noise from what seems to come from the tires, depending on which side I'm turning on. Any idea what this could be?

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More than likely it is your ball joints.

 

How can I check to make sure this is the problem?

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Bump bump

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If you are asking how to check your ball joints....

Radial (side-to-side) movement in the upper ball joint should not exceed 0.060" (1.5mm).

Axial (up and down) movement in the lower ball joint should not exceed 0.050" (1.25mm).


A dial indicator is the best instrument to measure ball joint play.

Jack the front tire off the ground.
Place a jack stand under the axle next to the jack.
Lower to put some weight on the jack stand.
Place a long pry bar under the tire, from the side.
Have someone pry the tire up and down while you watch the lower ball joint for up and down play.
Axial (up and down) movement in the lower ball joint should not exceed 0.050"

Have someone grab the tire at top and bottom to wiggle the top in and out while you watch the upper joint for side play.
Radial (side-to-side) movement in the upper ball joint should not exceed 0.060"

Even if the upper joint checks good, change both if the lower checks bad.

 

Or a failing or binding u-joint

 

yep what they said!

 

I hate point to something so simple but my friend had the same issue and it turned out to be locked in four wheel drive and on the dry pavement it was fighting going around corners making noise.

Dave