Question / Front End Noise

Hi guys my trucks an 06, lifted 3", Camburg Control Arms on the top.

Anyhow, roughly 250 kms ago, and it when 4x4 is engaged do I hear and feel a bad noise.
I would explain it as a chunky feel,a clunk, or kind of grind. I feel it mainly under / through my feet, hear it mostly too.

It happens when in 4x4 going slower (under 20kms per hour) and also slow and turning.

It has 500,000kms (350,000 miles?)
About 80,000 kms the Camburg upper arms were installed. About 180,000 kms ago the lowers control arms were put in when I did my lift.
The steering rack and outer tie rods done about 15,000 kms ago.
CV axles done 100 (yesterday) ago.
I cannot remember if it was just my driver side or passenger side hub that was replaced around 150,000 kms ago.

Seeing as it was in the front and when in 4x4, and needing my CVs done, I did those, but it's still happening.

My 1st guesses are CVs weren't greased fully on install, or hubs now are going?

What's TacomaWorlds better guess before I go to the dealership (best option in town) or have to try and drive hours to a reputable shop.

I'm in Nelson BC Canada.

Thanks for your help gang!
-Jesse

 

I would find a level nice parking lot and drive the truck in both 2H, 4H, and 4L and see when its loudest or if it is consistance in both 4H & 4L, also listen to if it changes with vehicle speed and if it changes when turning either way, including going to full lock, see if it does in in both drive and reverse, if you have a locker, engage it and see if that changes the noise, also make sure its not related to braking by just letting the truck drive at idle with no brakes applied and make sure its still making the noise(sounds like you ruled this out but its another thing to check.) After doing that if you can jack the vehicle up and see if there is any movement from the wheels both vertically and horizontally.

I do not know what you mean by CV's not being fully greased, do you mean grease inside the boot or something external on that splines? do you have aftermarket CV's? I did not grease either of mine any time I have taken them out of the hubs.

 

So far it's just been in 4x4 , at slower speeds.
Most often when in a turn, but also off/on when just coming to a slow stop in 4x4.
I havent tried 4low yet.

What I had meant by grease was when the new ones were installed, if there was anything needing greasing/lube that they could have missed.
For CVs its just cardone hd ones for now as I got a great deal on them and $$ is tight.

I've tried to limit my use of 4x4 so I dont compound damage and make things worse, unless even 2x is causing more harm even though I'm not hearing anything.

I havent heen able to get the front up yet, my jack is too small to reach, I'll go to a shop tomorrow.

I'm just really trying to get the edge on the dealership, so I dont get taken for too much.

 

When was the last time you inspected and greased the front drive shaft u-joints? If you just did, how long if ever before that?

 

Shoot. That's a good question. Probably quite a while ago.
Would that be something that would be affected by 4x4 being on or off?

 

It certainly does. The front driveshaft only spins when in 4 wheel hi or low range. Have a good independent repair shop check, grease and/or replace as needed. They often rust and then wear or bind when not used or lubed regularly.

 

Thank you for your input.
Going through my records it looks like its been a really long time since I've serviced them.
I also live in a wet area...lots of winter snow, I bury the truck in it lots, so that rusting and causing problems makes sense.
I use 4x4 lots, but like I said too its heen a long time since I've done my u joints.
Thanks again for the input I'll see how that goes

 

I just rebuilt the front driveshaft.
That wasnt the problem.
I'm down to the TCase and hubs as the weak points. TCase is original still, one of the only parts I havent replaced or upgraded.
The noise is still only when in 4x4.
When I took it out of 4x4 today it sounded harsh. Really big slam sound.
Any other ideas?