Front End Noise. Is this amount of play in my Front Axle normal?

Hey guys,

Truck is '14 DCSB TRD OR with TRD Baja Suspension up front, Icon 3 leaf AAL in rear.

Been working to diagnose a front end noise that has crept up recently. I've checked torque on skid plates, LCA alignment cams (100lb-ft), Lower Shock bolts, Sway bar, tie rods, ect as well as visually inspected all I can and found no torn or damaged ball-joint boots or bushings anywhere. Shaking, tugging and pulling on everything and can't replicate the noise. Checked steering stops, not that either and doesn't have to be full lock to make the noise. Checked torque on cab mounts too @ 34lb-ft, all good.

The noise happens when turning into a parking lot or a side street at an increasing or decreasing grade that causes some degree of suspension/chassis flex... one front wheel up while the other is down. I get a knock or pop sound front the front end. Just once, a quick pop, and then it's gone. It's only when my wheels are turned. It's rarely on a level surface. It seems to mostly be turning up into or down into somewhere, or even if hitting a dip or something while turning in. I've heard it on both sides of the truck, driver and passenger. My wife even said once when it happened it was like she felt it in the floor.

I know there's a known issue with the driver's side Front axle, needle bearing, ECGS has the fix and all that. I plan to do this down the road. I'm not convinced that this is the source of my noise because I've heard it on the driver and passenger side. I attached a video below though showing how much movement I have in my axle and am wondering if this is normal. I have no noticeable vibes while driving and no noise or issues otherwise.





So I guess I'm asking two separate things here. One, what the hell could that noise be? Two, is it normal for my axle to have that much play? I don't know why but I keep thinking sway bar due to the nature of it but visually it all checks out. I haven't had the chance to inspect my steering rack either but I find it unlikely that could be it. I'm getting some new tires mounted soon as well as an alignment so I'll see if they catch anything while they are under there.

Thanks for the help!

 

Does it happen in 4WD?

 

Yes you need the ecgs bushing, had mine done. Dealership had the balls to tell me that same amount of slop was normal. Your other issue sounds like maybe a ball joint going. Jack the whole front end up by the cross brace and see if you find any playing the uppers, lowers, tie rods, or sway bar connectors. Check your body mounts also.

 

Haven't been in 4wd to tell. This is just with daily street driving.

Oh and truck only has 56k miles. I think I'm right at the 60mo/60k mile power train warranty but not sure if suspension components are included in that.

 

Bump - Had new tires installed and alignment. Tech said he didn't have any trouble lining up the truck and no issues moving the cams. Since this it's been a few weeks and I haven't noticed the noise. Numbers before my alignment weren't bad, however I did have a decent amount of toe in. New alignment numbers are camber and toe close to Zero with castor maxed ~2.5