Couple of weeks ago noticed after shifting in to reverse 3 clicks or clunks could be heard up front when the Monty started to move. Whatever is causing the sound is strong enough to be felt in the cab.

I took the front tires off and thought I tracked the noise down to the driver's side drive axle.

Last weekend was a hard weekend of wheeling and the noise is louder and is happening whenever the Monty starts to move - forward or reverse.

In my experience when a drive axle starts going south the noise is noticeable when turning not when starting to roll.

Any other thoughts what might be going on?

Thanks.

~ Jon

Ive replaced lotsof cvs that made the noise when accellerating straight forward. Im not saying its that, but dont rule it out just yet.

Replacing the cv joint did not work to stop the noise <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/frown.gif" alt="" />

So need some expert advice here.

The noise only happens when backing the truck up then puling forward. Backing up after being parked there is a popping sound - sort of like gears not aligning correctly - then when pulling forward the same noise happens and can be made louder by hitting brakes but stops after about twenty feet. Noise happens regardless of being in gear or in 4 wheel drive.

Spent most of the today poking around the front end don't think the noise is coming from front diff. After laying on the ground and having wife drive over me, I'm leaning towards the noise coming from the passenger side control arm bushings. Up close the sound is more of a popping sounds and seems to happen as the suspension loads up and unload

Thanks,

~ Jon

You must really trust your wife! <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/zombie.gif" alt="" />

Life insurance isn't paid up <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/wink.gif" alt="" />

<img src="/forums/images/graemlins/kewl.gif" alt="" />

Put it up on jackstands so the front suspension is unloaded (make sure your rear wheels are blocked, handbrake on etc <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/wink.gif" alt="" /> ). Take a large pry bar and check all your bushings and joints in the front end, including balljoints, tierods, idler, pitman arm, the bushings you mentioned, etc. Sounds are sometimes very hard to isolate when you have multiple parts touching, as you know doubt know better than anyone... If there is a worn bush or joint, you *should* be able to see movement with the prybar...

Hope this helps: Report back and tell us what you've found.

U-joint?

Do you have auto or lock out hubs?

I have the same type of noise in my 96 SR front end, drivers' side, also I have play in my steering wheel, found out that I need new idler arm and pitman arm. Planing on installing new ones next month by then I will keep an eye here <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/cheers.gif" alt="" />

Ok, I got rid of the noises in my truck finally. I do not know if I mentioned but mine started getting worse after an offroading weekend.
I had a steering wheel play aswell and found out that my idler arm is shot, replaced that but still was hearing clicking noises while driving or going over rough patches etc.
Today I was greasing up the front end and happened to wiggle the shock absorber and it seemed to be pretty loose in the bottom joint, I took my wrench and it had ALOT of room to be tightened, I torqued it enough till it wont wiggle anymore, moved to the other side same story. I took the truck for a drive around the block and the clicks seems to be gone for good <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/cheers.gif" alt="" />