Clunking sound when turning in 4WD

JimMorrissey · Mar 3, 2008

My '01 Silverado has about 65K miles on it. It doesn't get used that much and the underside is pretty rusty from harsh NE winters. So recently when in 4WD and in a sharp turn I heard a number of clunking noise distinctly from the front end. This is only in 4WD and the sound is fairly painful. I'm thinking it's the CV joints. With the limited info I have provided, would you concur on this being CV related?

Has anybody ever changed CV joints/boots on a Chevy pickup?

hudr · Mar 3, 2008

Sounds like a CV joint to me. I haven't ever changed one a late model Chevy. Sure looks like a lot of stuff to get through before getting to the half shafts on my 97 K3500.
Were you on a hard surface when you heard the clunking? I have hit hard spots when in 4WD and had a wheel "slip" from time to time while turning. Especially in my 86 Bronco II (of course, that is a totally different setup)

RayH · Mar 3, 2008

It sounds pretty normal if you were turning tight on a hard surface. Dont do that, its not good for your truck. Here is why it happens.
http://www.4x4abc.com/4WD101/def_turnpart.html

Robert_in_NY · Mar 3, 2008

We have this problem with a 2002 F-250. It ended up being the CV joints seized up. I am not sure if it is just a design issue or bad parts as the 98 F-150 doesn't have any problems like this.

JimMorrissey · Mar 3, 2008

Yeah, I'm thinking about just buying the whole assembly and putting them in with new boots and joints all setup. Not worth messing around.

Clunking was occuring on snow covered driveway and earlier on offroad trail (dirt).

JimMorrissey · Mar 3, 2008

Ray was on ice, snow and dirt. This also happens with less than full turns to the right or left.

Kays Supply · Mar 4, 2008

Be sure and price the parts before ordering. My apprentice just had the front wheel bearings changed on his Chevy 4x4. $260 just for parts on one wheel. It was cluncking, but with 100,000+ miles .

WTA · Mar 7, 2008

Is this something that really just started happening?
I can't even count the number of times when I was a mechanic at new car dealers that someone brought in the new truck they bought complaining that it was making that noise. It was almost as bad as that loud grinding noise when they slammed on the brakes on ice. The ABS motor.

If you are on a hard surface it's going to make noise. Just about any 4 wheel drive system will. My F-250 4x4 and the F-150 before it have U joints instead of CV on the front axle and you should hear them things turning on hard stuff. It's totally normal most of the time.

If your CV boots are intact and the grease hasn't leaked out then just be sure they are actually bad before you let some garage rip you off on replacing them. Mechanics get paid by the job and would love an easy one like that to make a buck or two off of you.

scott_vt · Mar 7, 2008

JimMorrissey said:
My '01 Silverado has about 65K miles on it. It doesn't get used that much and the underside is pretty rusty from harsh NE winters.

Good Evenin Jim,
A few of my Vt neighbors will bring their truck to a local garage and get the under side of the truck and frame sprayed with a special oil formulation to help inhibit extensive rusting from all the salt on the roads ! Maybe this is something you might think of doing in the future ! I can get the name of the place if your interested !