Clicking sounds from front end when in 4wd

Towards the end of my trip to Colorado, I started to notice a clicking noise when going over bumps or especially when the front end dipped down. It sounded loudest from the front driver side: a single click, like a socket wrench turning. The OEM CVs are fairly new with only 12k miles or so. Would it be possible they're already wearing out, it could it be something in the leaking steering rack?

 

Was the clicking present when turning while in 4wd? If yes, then you have a dry CV joint.

Clicking while going straight is going to be something else .

 

I don't remember it being specifically while turning, but I did only notice it in 4lo. I think the wheels were relatively straight for at least some of the clicks.

 

Have you put it up on jackstands, pulled the wheels off, and narrow down the source of the noise?

It's like every other "diagnostic" thread, you need to do some work yourself otherwise everything else is just a guess.

 

Can you jack up 1 side at a time, spin the tire by hand and listen for clicks? Have the wheel turned and do the test as well.

 

Yea that'd be the next step, although I only noticed it when going over bumps or when the suspension was traveling, not just when driving down a flat road, so I'm not sure how much I'd learn from just spinning the wheel. It'd be worth a try though.

I was just wondering if this was a common symptom with worn racks, since I know mine needs replacing anyway. I'm nursing it along with stop-leak for now.

 

Nooooo

 

Well, I don't hear it whining anymore, and haven't noticed any drips, so it seems like it's doing its job

 

It would whine if it was low on fluid, not because you added stop leak.

 

Well I guess it's stopped leaking then.