Clunk when turning sharp in 4x4

[RustedRanger]

I found out my 4 wheel drive works but when I turn sharply it makes a clunk......clunk......clunk noise. When I tried the 4x4 it was on grass/gravel and it sounds fine until I turn the wheels sharply. Is it the u-joints for the front axle? How serious is this? Will it be "ok" as long as I dont turn sharp? Thanks for any advice/info.

 

[Capt Jay]

I would venture to bet that that happens when you are turning VERY sharply. It's the U-joints binding and it's completely normal. To fix it, don't turn sharply in 4x4 on hard surfaces.

 

[Jay FX4]

This Jay agrees with the previous Jay. While driving on gravel and grass is technically "offroad", it's still a hard surface - which often doesn't require 4wd at all since you usually still get good traction. It's likely that if you were in deep dirt, sand or snow, the clunk you hear would be less noticeable.

When I'm in 4wd, I try to make my turns as wide as possible.

 

[loneranger48]

i wouldnt be so sure..my truck is the opposite.when in 4wd turning sharp on hard surfaces it doesnt clunk but when in snow and light mud it clunks VERy loud.

 

[4x4junkie]

A "Clunk" isn't normal under ANY circumstances. If it's actually making clunking noises, I'd be looking at the suspension bushings, balljoints, and tierods as well (in addition to it possibly being the front axle u-joints).

 

[Jspafford]

A "Clunk" isn't normal under ANY circumstances. If it's actually making clunking noises, I'd be looking at the suspension bushings, balljoints, and tierods as well (in addition to it possibly being the front axle u-joints).

Agreed.... Now binding in 4WD is something that happens on hard surfaces, it make the truck feel like it want to stop and sometimes jerks the steering wheel (TTB trucks)

 

[RustedRanger]

Thanks for the info y'all. Yea even though it was in grass/gravel it was still getting "good" traction. We have a "loop" in our driveway and it is pretty sharp. Thanks again.

 

[Capt Jay]

Thanks for the info y'all. Yea even though it was in grass/gravel it was still getting "good" traction. We have a "loop" in our driveway and it is pretty sharp. Thanks again.

DO NOT drive your truck in 4wd unless you need it. You will be changing your U-joints like your chain smoking.

 

[Adreenaleen]

DO NOT drive your truck in 4wd unless you need it. You will be changing your U-joints like your chain smoking!!!!




Adreenaleen

 

[Adreenaleen]

DO NOT drive your truck in 4wd unless you need it. You will be changing your U-joints like your chain smoking.

 

[Jspafford]

Dude, why are you posting and double posting what he said?

 

[tony314]

I have the same issue when I make sharp turns while in 4x4.On soft surfaces it is fine.Hard (road ) then that is when I notice.Just in case, check everything over to be safe.

They are right though.Do not use 4x4 unless you have to on the road.If it snowing or icing that is a different story.

 

[Jspafford]

Simple fix, stop turning in 4wd when you don't need it.

You agree it's not good. So if someone was say, stabbing you with a needle, its not good. Your going to make noise. As does your truck.

 

[Hopman]

I agree. I only use mine when I'm not getting anywhere in 2WD, which around here is only if they haven't plowed the roads yet. The stock auto hubs are still holding up.

 

[RustedRanger]

Thanks for the advice. I was checking to make sure it worked when I heard the noise. I had been told it would "pop" out of 4wd when I bought it. I did the bearings on the front and it had a bunch of grease inside the lockout hubs and I cleaned it out since I read it's not supposed to have a bunch of grease in them. The lockouts stayed locked just fine