Snap/pop noise from front

[MrRoo]

I've been chasing a snapping popping noise in what I thought was the suspension of my 04 V8. It has a leveling kit on the front and airlift bags in the rear. I thought I started to hear the noise over a year ago after input the level kit on the front. Just spacers. The front would snap/pop when coming to a stop or slight accel conditions. Also when the front is on uneven surface or backing up with the wheel turned. I went back through every nut and bolt making sure torqued correct. Nothing changed it. I finally thought outside the box. I could get it to do it by slowly jacking up one side. I had my brother do that while I felt for the noise. Found that the front bumper/frame crash bar would bind when the chassis flexed. Loosened up all the bolts and re torqued and noise is gone. I've read lots of threads about this exact noise with no resolution. I think I found it. There are 4 nuts on each side of the crash bar that attach to the frame that need to be checked. Mine were all way over tightened. They have never been touched before. Hope this helps some guys with this noise. I'll update as time goes and see if noise stays away.


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[badattitude]

Thanks for sharing!

 

[Billynath1988]

I've been chasing a snapping popping noise in what I thought was the suspension of my 04 V8. It has a leveling kit on the front and airlift bags in the rear. I thought I started to hear the noise over a year ago after input the level kit on the front. Just spacers. The front would snap/pop when coming to a stop or slight accel conditions. Also when the front is on uneven surface or backing up with the wheel turned. I went back through every nut and bolt making sure torqued correct. Nothing changed it. I finally thought outside the box. I could get it to do it by slowly jacking up one side. I had my brother do that while I felt for the noise. Found that the front bumper/frame crash bar would bind when the chassis flexed. Loosened up all the bolts and re torqued and noise is gone. I've read lots of threads about this exact noise with no resolution. I think I found it. There are 4 nuts on each side of the crash bar that attach to the frame that need to be checked. Mine were all way over tightened. They have never been touched before. Hope this helps some guys with this noise. I'll update as time goes and see if noise stays away.


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Ive literally been chasing a noise that sounds identical to this description. Im removing my skid plates first because im still pretty sure thats what it is.. but im going to check those bolts too while im under there.. its been driving me crazy trying to figure out what it is.

 

[Billynath1988]

Hey when you get a chance could you grab a picture of the exact location of those bolts and where you believe the contact for the noise was occurring just for clarity

 

[MrRoo]

I'll take a picture tonight. Loosen the bolts and go drive it. See if the noise goes away. I removed my swap bar and slid plates thinking it was from that. Nope. The point of contact is between the crash bar and the frame ears. As soon as I tightened them back down real tight the noise comes back. I have them just snug enough to keep from loosening.


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[Billynath1988]

I'll take a picture tonight. Loosen the bolts and go drive it. See if the noise goes away. I removed my swap bar and slid plates thinking it was from that. Nope. The point of contact is between the crash bar and the frame ears. As soon as I tightened them back down real tight the noise comes back. I have them just snug enough to keep from loosening.


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I Havnt had my sway bar on in over a year. I have a feeling that your right.. I have no idea how you narrowed it down to that. and Also how this happens...

 

[rich045]

mine is making a similar noise when i turn at a slow speed, its coming from my front passenger side so i am inclined to believe its probably my lower ball joints since i just replaced my endlinks and bushings. I would check that first.

 

[Billynath1988]

mine is making a similar noise when i turn at a slow speed, its coming from my front passenger side so i am inclined to believe its probably my lower ball joints since i just replaced my endlinks and bushings. I would check that first.

I would agree but its not consistent enough or happens at the right time to justify thinking its the LBJ yet. im sure they could be changed but I dont think they are popping.

 

[Billynath1988]

So, I took off my skids and you were right that was not the culprit.. I had to take them off to clean up some stuff anyway but I was really hoping that was the noise.

It still hard to figure out where exactly its coming from. I grabbed and shook everything I can think of under the vehicle and nothing felt loose.

 

[MrRoo]

Here are the bolts at the frame/crash bar. I've chased noises like this at the dealer for days. You just gotta think outside the box on weird noises. Body mounts can make the same noise. I loosened all mine to make sure. Been driving mine for 4 days now or so with the crash bar/frame bolts slightly loose. No Noise whatsoever.


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[Billynath1988]

Here are the bolts at the frame/crash bar. I've chased noises like this at the dealer for days. You just gotta think outside the box on weird noises. Body mounts can make the same noise. I loosened all mine to make sure. Been driving mine for 4 days now or so with the crash bar/frame bolts slightly loose. No Noise whatsoever.


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alright im doing this next.. will provide status update once complete

 

[MrRoo]

alright im doing this next.. will provide status update once complete

There are 4 bolts total each side. 3 on the outer of frame and 1 inner for each side. Just back them off a few turns and see what happens.


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[earthrealm]

wil give this a try. have a popping metallic sound when i enter potholes

 

[Billynath1988]

Well I loosened these bolts and just made sure there were snug but not to tight. Maybe the noise changed maybe it didnt but its still there. I also notice it when I stop. Where do you think that crash bar is rubbing to make that noise? I rolled around under the truck checking random bolts and things that could possibly make that noise and still cant find it..

Next idea is either u-joints or Lower ball joint.

 

[Billynath1988]

Narrowing this down some more.. Im beginning to believe this is the Lower control arm bushings.. Anyone have experience with this?

 

[S p a r k y]

Narrowing this down some more.. Im beginning to believe this is the Lower control arm bushings.. Anyone have experience with this?

My SPC UCA bushings made noise, just needed some grease. Have you tried sway bar end links?

 

[loarmistead]

I wasn't getting a "pop" but began feeling a slight "clunk" or general metallic looseness through the drivers side floorboard when going over bumps at low speed. Turned out to be rotten and disintegrating LCA bushings. Replaced LCAs and the clunk is now gone.

The shop could not replicate my noise but when jacked up, they could physically rattle the lower end when they shook it with their arm.


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[Billynath1988]

My SPC UCA bushings made noise, just needed some grease. Have you tried sway bar end links?

I dont even have a front sway bar lol. I Had that noise and fixed a while ago when I had one.. back when I had stock suspension.

This noise only happens during the initial movement.. not once driving or over bumps... only from a slow turn or initially going reverse or forward. Its not the driveshaft that's different.. this is when weight shifts forward back or side to side.. the turn sound makes a popping noise, the forward and back makes a clunk sound. It appears to be worse when its wet.

 

[djkurious]

I've been chasing a snapping popping noise in what I thought was the suspension of my 04 V8. It has a leveling kit on the front and airlift bags in the rear. I thought I started to hear the noise over a year ago after input the level kit on the front. Just spacers. The front would snap/pop when coming to a stop or slight accel conditions. Also when the front is on uneven surface or backing up with the wheel turned. I went back through every nut and bolt making sure torqued correct. Nothing changed it. I finally thought outside the box. I could get it to do it by slowly jacking up one side. I had my brother do that while I felt for the noise. Found that the front bumper/frame crash bar would bind when the chassis flexed. Loosened up all the bolts and re torqued and noise is gone. I've read lots of threads about this exact noise with no resolution. I think I found it. There are 4 nuts on each side of the crash bar that attach to the frame that need to be checked. Mine were all way over tightened. They have never been touched before. Hope this helps some guys with this noise. I'll update as time goes and see if noise stays away.


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Had this same issue and started before I was already planning to replace all suspension and steering components at 300k. Still made the noise so I grabbed a jack and slightly lifted it in the front. Noise was coming from bumper area. More like a door sounds that is creaking. Chased the creaking noise to the crash bar also. Removed crash bar and drove around the block, no noise. Re-torqued and lubed the surface where the crash bar mates with the frame and all is well.

 

[djkurious]

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