poping noise in front axel

[86chevyk20]

hummm when i turn left i here and feel a loud pop in the front axel of my k20 its a dana44.

Ideas of what it may be? and also i replaced my drivers front caliper and the truck still pulls to right when stoping, just not as bad.


ideas??


thanks

 

[crazy4offroad]

Steering box ripping from the frame is my first thought, since mine was making a similar sound. Otherwise check the usual suspects, ball joints, tie rod ends, drag link ends.

 

[86chevyk20]

i know my frame isnt cracked there at the steering box. and what do you mean ripping out??

what is the proper way to check ball joints in these??

 

[crazy4offroad]

Same thing. I thought mine wasn't cracked either till one day it got much worse. But if you're sure, inspect the other parts I mentioned. Also make sure a leaf spring pack bolt hasn't broken allowing the pack to shift around. How does it track going down the road? Steering good & tight?

 

[86chevyk20]

new leafs all the way around. my steering is not tight. iv got like 3 inches of play back and forth before it grabs and im not sure why. how do i tell if the frame is cracked? can i have someone turn the wheel and will the frame twist or flex?

 

[crazy4offroad]

Yep. May have to get underneath and look from the back side of the frame since the box covers it up. Mine had play that I couldn't get adjusted out, thinking it was bad toe-in and eventually it got much worse, like 1/4 turn sawing the wheel back & forth from center to keep it straight. My build thread has damage pics on page 90...
http://www.gmsquarebody.com/forum/showthread.php?t=154&page=90
and repair pics on page 92...
http://www.gmsquarebody.com/forum/showthread.php?t=154&page=92

 

[86chevyk20]

ill check it out tomr and let you know! thank you. and if it isnt cracked...what eles would give me that loose steering