loud noise while turning in 4x4

[DennisH]

When i have my truck in 4 wheel drive and i make a sharp turn left or right it makes a loud clank as if somthing in the suppension is breakin loose or somthing. i know this is kind of vague but i cant think of any other way to discribe it. I thought it could possibly by my brakes becuase if its slick (Ice or snow) and i lock up the brakes on purpose then let off it makes the same noise. could this be a brake caliper hanging up and then braking loose or somthing in the radius arms that is loose?

 

[4x4junkie]

Could be a radius arm bushing... (I assume your truck is '83-'97?) Does the noise ever happen if you jam on the brakes while on pavement?

 

[JohnnyU]

Sharp turns with the front axle engaged are really not good on the u-joints, hubs, differential, or the transfer case. Does this happen only on dry pavement or in snow/mud/ice as well?

Sounds like drive-line bind to me.

 

[DennisH]

it seems to happen (when in 4x4) all the time when i turn. But as far as it clanking when i brake it is only on ice or snow and when i allow them to lock up for a second then let off abruptly. Yes, my truck is a 94 Ford Ranger 4x4 5 speed 3.0L with 30x9.5xR15 tires. It does it if my tires are froze to the ground and i take off in 4x4 and after the tires pop loose (which makes a similar noise but thats just the tires breakin loose) it does it if i get on the throttle a little bit too. Thats what made me think its a bushing or somthing where the radius arms connect. Could it possibly be a front U-Joint thats giong bad? its got 3 of them little F@#$ers up front which makes it alot less sturdy.

 

[4x4junkie]

Not sure I understand how the u-joints would make it less sturdy...

I would say it's probably worthwhile to jack it up and check things out (lock the hubs in, put it in gear and let the wheels spin, while turning the steering back & forth. If it's anything in the u-joints or axles, it should be easy to spot (good chance the joints could be frozen if they're 14 year-old originals).

 

[91exploreron37]

Could be the auto hubs if you have them.

 

[MAXDA]

Not sure I understand how the u-joints would make it less sturdy...

I think he means compared to solid axles.

 

[4x4junkie]

Not sure I understand how the u-joints would make it less sturdy...

I think he means compared to solid axles.

Same exact u-joints.

The TTB does have one extra one in the middle though (and can be a bit of a PITA to replace)

 

[Dusty_Ranger]

try the front u joints my 88 ranger was doing that and one day i found taht my u joints were really badly worn

 

[DennisH]

i just had my front drive shaft off today and i checked them out; they were good. its somthing with my brakes or the radius arms where it connects to the crossmember.

 

[Dusty_Ranger]

no i mean the u joints in the front axels\