Creak/crack from my front end

[Skandocious]

So I've recently developed a creak in my front end... I'm not sure creak is the best way to describe it because its just a very quick CRACK then its gone, like something is shifting around up there.

It happens when I put stress on the steering components, ie, turning the tires in a parking lot while not moving, or making a tight turn while going a good speed. It also sometimes happens if I go up a driveway too quickly, ie, turning off of the street and into a driveway to a parking lot, if there's a good sized incline into the drive it will also CRACK. I can feel it in the floorboards, it doesn't sound good.

At this point I'm thinking it might be a bad tie rod end... Any ideas?

 

[Fellro]

Typically tie rods give slop, not noise. I haven't seen it personally, but I am wondering if maybe you have the infamous frame cracking.

 

[surewhynot]

Check the radius arm bushings. They might be the culprit.

 

[Skandocious]

I believe the radius arm bushings to be new since the lift was only installed 3-4 years ago, and it included new radius arms.

And Fellro you might be onto something. A guy on the other forum said he had a very similar issue and resolved by doing this:
http://www.troublecodes.net/articles/ford/ford_trucks.shtml

 

[surewhynot]

Have you ever double checked all of the bolts on your lift for tightness? I like to do that periodically on any lifted truck.

 

[Skandocious]

Have you ever double checked all of the bolts on your lift for tightness? I like to do that periodically on any lifted truck.

Not an exhaustive check. I'll do that this weekend.

 

[d-kuzmen]

Not an exhaustive check. I'll do that this weekend.

Let me know if that TSB I sent you helps any.

 

[O'Rattlecan]

chris, is it almost like a 'pop' like something is clicking into/out of place?

Ryan

 

[Skandocious]

chris, is it almost like a 'pop' like something is clicking into/out of place?

Ryan

It is like a loud POP (deep, not high pitched), but I don't think something is clicking into/out of place... It's really tough to explain. I suppose it sounds like someone is taking thick hard plastic rod and slamming it on my drag link (sounds like its come from that area).

 

[mrfixit]

Maybe the wishbone pivot bushings?

 

[Skandocious]

Maybe the wishbone pivot bushings?

I thought about that too, and I plan on having a look at those as best I can.

 

[O'Rattlecan]

yeah, not the same as mine then... no telling.

Ryan

 

[Bob Ayers]

I know they are different steering systems, but I had a similar pop noise coming from the front end of my Ranger, and it turned out to be a TIGHT
tie-rod end.