Front End Knock, Need Diagnostic Help

buick455 · 07-16-2009, 05:34 PM

I'm not sure if the protocol is to start an new thread or not, but I just discovered something on my little problem. Appreciate any help!

When I jack this truck up on the left side and go to spin the left wheel I can not turn it. Its as if the front dif is locked up. The right side, when jacked up does not do this, the right wheel will spin freely. When the left is jacked up under the a-arm the left wheel will spin, with some resistance.

My thought is the different pressure on left axle the front dif is causing it to lock up slightly on turning. Any help appreciated.

Thanks,

Clint

4WD · 07-18-2009, 12:23 AM

One ,hard knocking sound when turning left I think you said, sounds like you've pretty much covered the right areas in the suspension without finding anything too negative so I would start looking in the not-so-oblivious places like loose or bent or broken brackets, maybe a crack in the frame, I don't know enough about the type of miles driven on/off road, your driving habits etc; ( I mean c'mon now , I / we all get a little crazy offroad once in awhile we all want to feel what its like to have our Toy in the air. thats one of the reasons we have the damned things right ? & also along with this one loud knock you hear, do you feel it as well ?? After inspecting all the susp. components in the front without any real signs of damage you need to get the undercarriage clean & get a good light , and spend a couple of hours thoroughly inspecting all frame joints & welds , check where the body meets the frame & any parts that bolt to the frame. I don't know, can't hurt.

buick455 · 07-19-2009, 06:38 AM

Well, here what this problem has developed into: Knock sound started to happen while I was going straight down the highway. I would start about 65 mph(knock knock knock). Its sort of a popping sound and it almost felt like it was right under my clutch foot. When I backed off it quit, for the most part. I am seriously wondering about that front differential.

Also, when I jack the front of the truck up and support it with jack stands on the frame the right wheel will spin freely. The left wheel will hardly spin at all, the axle will not move much. When I support it by the a arm it spins freely. At first I chalked this up to the angle of the axle to the differential but now I am begining to wonder.

I seems as if there are gears meshing that shouldn't be. Has anyone experienced anything like this? Any opinions are wanted.

Thanks for the help!!!
Clint

KenpachiZaraki · 07-19-2009, 07:13 AM

Did you check the oild in the front diff? Do you have any leaks on the front diff. You might have found the problem, but only further investigation shall prove it. I wouldn't know much since this is the first taco I had. Sorry I couldn't be more help.

07-18-2009, 12:23 AM	#22
4WD Senior Member Name: Doug Joined: Jul 2009, #19185 Location: Lakeside,CA Gender: Male Posts: 133 tacoma TRD 4wd 2000 Xtra Cab Automatic 3.4 stock	Front end knock One ,hard knocking sound when turning left I think you said, sounds like you've pretty much covered the right areas in the suspension without finding anything too negative so I would start looking in the not-so-oblivious places like loose or bent or broken brackets, maybe a crack in the frame, I don't know enough about the type of miles driven on/off road, your driving habits etc; ( I mean c'mon now , I / we all get a little crazy offroad once in awhile we all want to feel what its like to have our Toy in the air. thats one of the reasons we have the damned things right ? & also along with this one loud knock you hear, do you feel it as well ?? After inspecting all the susp. components in the front without any real signs of damage you need to get the undercarriage clean & get a good light , and spend a couple of hours thoroughly inspecting all frame joints & welds , check where the body meets the frame & any parts that bolt to the frame. I don't know, can't hurt.

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07-16-2009, 05:34 PM	#21
buick455 Junior Member Joined: Jul 2009, #19230 Location: Colorado Gender: Male Posts: 17 1996 Tacoma 1996 Xtra Cab Manual	I'm not sure if the protocol is to start an new thread or not, but I just discovered something on my little problem. Appreciate any help! When I jack this truck up on the left side and go to spin the left wheel I can not turn it. Its as if the front dif is locked up. The right side, when jacked up does not do this, the right wheel will spin freely. When the left is jacked up under the a-arm the left wheel will spin, with some resistance. My thought is the different pressure on left axle the front dif is causing it to lock up slightly on turning. Any help appreciated. Thanks, Clint

07-19-2009, 06:38 AM	#23
buick455 Junior Member Joined: Jul 2009, #19230 Location: Colorado Gender: Male Posts: 17 1996 Tacoma 1996 Xtra Cab Manual	Well, here what this problem has developed into: Knock sound started to happen while I was going straight down the highway. I would start about 65 mph(knock knock knock). Its sort of a popping sound and it almost felt like it was right under my clutch foot. When I backed off it quit, for the most part. I am seriously wondering about that front differential. Also, when I jack the front of the truck up and support it with jack stands on the frame the right wheel will spin freely. The left wheel will hardly spin at all, the axle will not move much. When I support it by the a arm it spins freely. At first I chalked this up to the angle of the axle to the differential but now I am begining to wonder. I seems as if there are gears meshing that shouldn't be. Has anyone experienced anything like this? Any opinions are wanted. Thanks for the help!!! Clint

07-19-2009, 07:13 AM	#24
KenpachiZaraki TRD OR POSER!!!! Name: Big AL Joined: May 2009, #17581 Location: El Paso TX Age: 26 Gender: Dude Posts: 362 05 TRD OR POSER EDITION 2005 Double Cab Automatic 4.0L V6 Beeyotch! ALL POSER- 8000k Headlight Bulbs,6000k Foglight Bulbs 1.5" Toytec AAL, 3" Toytec Spacer up front Fog Light Mod, Clay Mod, Zip-tie Mod, ABS off MOD!!, Dash Light MOD!, TRD OR Poser Badges!	Did you check the oild in the front diff? Do you have any leaks on the front diff. You might have found the problem, but only further investigation shall prove it. I wouldn't know much since this is the first taco I had. Sorry I couldn't be more help.