4x4 clunking when turning

[bad_turbo]

My '67 burb 4x4 just started making a clunking/popping noise yesterday when I turn right. It doesn't do it everytime, but since I'm about to make an 800 mile drive in it, I don't want to take any chances. It has a '68 3/4 ton closed knuckle dana 44 up front. No power steering. Is there supposed to be a place to lube the knuckles? What do you guys think?

[estig70]

Originally Posted by bad_turbo

My '67 burb 4x4 just started making a clunking/popping noise yesterday when I turn right. It doesn't do it everytime, but since I'm about to make an 800 mile drive in it, I don't want to take any chances. It has a '68 3/4 ton closed knuckle dana 44 up front. No power steering. Is there supposed to be a place to lube the knuckles? What do you guys think?

I don't know much about those closed knuckle units but my guess would be the joint inside the knuckle is bad.

I have also experienced bad ball joints popping when turning.

Hope this helps lead you to a solution, and I'll subscribe to the thread to keep track of updates, let us know what you find out.

Eric

[LONGHAIR]

Is there supposed to be a place to lube the knuckles?

The knuckles get lube from the differential housing, so if it is low, there is the potential for lack. While closed knuckle fronts rarely have joint failures from lube issues, they can still have wear after all of these years. Open knuckle fronts can and do rust/freeze-up, but I have never seen it on a closed unit.

Have you looked into the lock-out hubs? or wheel bearings? Loose bearings can make the innards of the lock-outs wear excessively. This can make odd noises.

[bad_turbo]

This front axle does not have the lock-out hubs, but I will check on the loose bearings. I just changed the front diff. fluid about 6 months ago.

[msgross]

can you add lockouts? Might be an easy fix for now until your trip. Spend $50 on some lockouts and the front axle won't turn any more...

[LONGHAIR]

W/O lock-outs, it could be a drive shaft joint or even spider gear noise.

[bad_turbo]

For a temporary fix, the front driveshaft has been disconnected since I swapped the axles last year because it is in poor shape and I figured if it was turning all the time it would come apart. Just put a few miles on it driving around town and it didn't make a noise. Where can I buy lockouts for this old Dana 44?

[msgross]

Originally Posted by bad_turbo

For a temporary fix, the front driveshaft has been disconnected since I swapped the axles last year because it is in poor shape and I figured if it was turning all the time it would come apart. Just put a few miles on it driving around town and it didn't make a noise. Where can I buy lockouts for this old Dana 44?

I have some nice superwinch one's that i'll cut you a deal on...
They are 1/4 turn and in good driver shape....

post a pic of your hubs just to be sure that they are the same size...

[Joesjunk]

I have had two "popping" issues with 4x4's, one was the front spring hanger, the rivits were just slightly loose and would pop when you turned, the other issue was my rebuilt power steering box, it will pop, its going back for a new one. Have a buddy look at these things while you work the wheel back and forth.
Good luck with it!!!

[bad_turbo]

heres a pic of the hub Mike.

[msgross]

8 lug with big bearings... mine wont fit... sorry

[special-K]

With not having lockout hubs the u-joint have had excessive use,though virtually under no load,still spinning away all those miles.It`s hard to pin point these sounds sometimes.A good ole tear down usually shows something obvious or at least questionable.I`d start with steering and suspension,then the axle/driveshaft.If nothing shows in the axle I`d look at the t-case...in that order.
You can drop your rear shaft and lift the front and maybe track the sound.It helps to have a second person,for sure.I`ve had the steering gear loose,spring bushings shot and the whole rack was shifting,drag link/tie-rods ends bad,ball joints...

[babyJay]

I found out once that driving without the front shaft in will destroy your t.c. if it's full time 4x4.

[msgross]

Originally Posted by babyJay

I found out once that driving without the front shaft in will destroy your t.c. if it's full time 4x4.

I had a 79 blazer with full time 4WD and did that every summer.... although it couldn't be parked on a slope because something would slip and "bang, bang, bang" away it would roll....

[bad_turbo]

Thanks Mike for trying. I don't think I want to keep this front axle so I don't want to invest too much money into it. Just drove almost 400 miles on it today with no problems. Another 400 tomorrow, so I'm keeping my fingers crossed.

[LONGHAIR]

I found out once that driving without the front shaft in will destroy your t.c. if it's full time 4x4.

A "full-time" transfer case (NP 203) will not even move (unless it is "locked") if the front drive shaft is removed. I will not hurt anything to drive it that way, but don't drive it "locked" on hard pavement with the front shaft IN.

None of that applies to a '67 though, "full-time" didn't start until '73 or '74? A '67 should have a Rockwell case.

[babyJay]

Originally Posted by LONGHAIR

A "full-time" transfer case (NP 203) will not even move (unless it is "locked") if the front drive shaft is removed. I will not hurt anything to drive it that way, but don't drive it "locked" on hard pavement with the front shaft IN.

None of that applies to a '67 though, "full-time" didn't start until '73 or '74? A '67 should have a Rockwell case.

Thanks for clarifying the break-off years there. I never was sure when the 203 came into play.

I must have just been a coincidence then on my 79. Weak carrier decided to grenade itself. Might have had something to do with the day before. My stepson and I had our trucks back to back in the street playing "tug-of-war" with a tow strap.

[LONGHAIR]

I must have just been a coincidence then on my 79. Weak carrier decided to grenade itself. Might have had something to do with the day before. My stepson and I had our trucks back to back in the street playing "tug-of-war" with a tow strap.

Yeah, that might do it, but...It really shouldn't have been that bad, unless you had some wheel hop. That can kill all kinds of stuff. Differentials, pinion shafts, u-joints and yokes, maybe even the differential inside the NP203.

[bad_turbo]

Thanks guys for all the info. My burb survived the long haul, loaded, from sacramento to phoenix with no problems. Hasn't even made that clunking noise anymore. Thanks again!