Front end noise

[Fjordlander]

Okay. That's your axle Shaft U-joint. The pinion yoke is where your front axle meets the front driveshaft. With full time hubs your front end is always spinning everything, even in 2wd. I'm guessing it's your front driveshaft because it wasn't making the sound before the lift kit install. Remove front driveshaft and see if the sound goes away.

Okay thanks. I'll try that and see what happens

 

[Fjordlander]

Okay. That's your axle Shaft U-joint. The pinion yoke is where your front axle meets the front driveshaft. With full time hubs your front end is always spinning everything, even in 2wd. I'm guessing it's your front driveshaft because it wasn't making the sound before the lift kit install. Remove front driveshaft and see if the sound goes away.

I removed the front driveshaft but now my truck won't move at all.. She'll roll in neutral but no driving forward or reverse. Any idea what that means? I was under the impression that removing the front shaft would just give me a rear wheel drive truck

 

[legopnuematic]

Since it's a full-time 203, you need to put the shifter into Hi-Loc, in Hi range, it is like an open differential, since you removed the front driveshaft it is putting 100% power to the front output as it has no resistance.

 

[Fjordlander]

Since it's a full-time 203, you need to put the shifter into Hi-Loc, in Hi range, it is like an open differential, since you removed the front driveshaft it is putting 100% power to the front output as it has no resistance.

Thank you! I thought I was in Hi-Loc cause it felt like the end but I just had to pull super hard.
The truck drives now and there are no weird sounds so it was definitely the front drive shaft. Is there a chance it could be the u-joints or do you think I need a whole new drive shaft?

 

[mtbadbob]

How would I test this?

You could put it on a frame lift, have someone start it and run it in 4wd while you watch the front shaft & see what it's doing.

 

[AuroraGirl]

I put the truck on jack stands to see if the front diff was working and it is but the rear wheels started spinning instantly whereas the front was delayed and much slower. Is that normal or is something up with my diff?

if you werent in LOC then having a slight delay itself may not be an issue but the speed difference may not be odd.. you had all 4 in the air right? If you put it in LOC then you would get matched speeds?

 

[AuroraGirl]

Since it's a full-time 203, you need to put the shifter into Hi-Loc, in Hi range, it is like an open differential, since you removed the front driveshaft it is putting 100% power to the front output as it has no resistance.

Lets say he kept the driveshaft off it, could one drive it normally in hi loc or would that be super stressful on the case?

 

[75gmck25]

My truck with NP203 started making loud clicking noises (not a clunk), and it turned out to be the u-joints (rusted, roller bearings had metal in metal) and the centering yoke in the front driveshaft CV joint.

The CV joint has a spring-loaded centering yoke in between the u-joints, and it keeps the joint parts in alignment as the driveshaft turns. It can wear down, spring can break, etc, and then the joint does not turn smoothly. It did not feel loose when installed, but the damage was very clear when I took it apart.

IIRC, I got the new sealed u-joints and the centering yoke from RockAuto because it was the cheapest source. Easy job to disassemble and replace parts once I got the driveshaft off.

 

[legopnuematic]

Let’s say he kept the driveshaft off it, could one drive it normally in hi loc or would that be super stressful on the case?

Looking it up, it seems some say it’s not a big deal, others say it’s hard on, and can wear the lock pins in the case? So pretty much the normal internet answers lol.

I suspect that overall condition and driving style/usage play into this significantly.

 

[Fjordlander]

if you werent in LOC then having a slight delay itself may not be an issue but the speed difference may not be odd.. you had all 4 in the air right? If you put it in LOC then you would get matched speeds?

Yeah I had all 4 up in the air but I didn't try it in Loc. Once I replace the u-joints in the front driveshaft I'll test it in Loc and see

 

[Fjordlander]

My truck with NP203 started making loud clicking noises (not a clunk), and it turned out to be the u-joints (rusted, roller bearings had metal in metal) and the centering yoke in the front driveshaft CV joint.

The CV joint has a spring-loaded centering yoke in between the u-joints, and it keeps the joint parts in alignment as the driveshaft turns. It can wear down, spring can break, etc, and then the joint does not turn smoothly. It did not feel loose when installed, but the damage was very clear when I took it apart.

IIRC, I got the new sealed u-joints and the centering yoke from RockAuto because it was the cheapest source. Easy job to disassemble and replace parts once I got the driveshaft off.

I took all the u-joints out but I didn't see a spring anywhere so that must have broken and fallen off or something. I'll look into ordering a new centering yoke

 

[Fjordlander]

All u-joints and the centering yoke have been replaced and the noise is gone!
When I got the old centering yoke off, the spring was broken into a few pieces and the part was pretty worn in general. Thank you all for your help!

 

[Fjordlander]

Well the noise was gone for a few weeks and then came back with a vengeance. I pulled the driveshaft off again and it seems like the ball joint in the centering yoke is sticking. It's making me think the angle is off after putting the 2 inch lift in and it's causing the centering yoke to wear out since I didn't have this noise until I put the lift kit in.
To recap: auto trans, np203 full time 4wd, 2 inch spring lift, 33" tires. I replaced all the u-joints and the centering yoke on the front driveshaft and the noise went away but now it's back. I've attached a video showing the ball joint "sticking"
As always, I'd appreciate any suggestions!

 

[Fjordlander]

The video doesn't want to upload but I'll keep trying

 

[squaredeal91]

The video doesn't want to upload but I'll keep trying

You have to post to YouTube first. Then paste it in