Mystery clunk/pop in front suspension

[jsobryan94]

I drive a 2013 Tahoe LTZ 4wd with 189,000. I bought it at the beginning of the year, and knew it needed some updating on the suspension, so i've been slowly replacing each part. I initially replaced lower ball joints, then replaced upper control arm/ball joint assembly and outer tie rods, all with moog parts. It drove significantly better, and the squeaks and clunks pretty much stopped. After about a month, it started clunking and popping again, mainly going over bumps or turning into my driveway or into a parking spot. The struts were making quite a bit of racket and were the originals, so 2 weeks ago i replaced both struts with new ac delco struts, transferring the original coil springs over, as well as replaced both strut mounts because one was rusty on the inside. The noises did not go away. It's gotten to the point it is occasionally so loud, people stop and look. This weekend, I went ahead and replaced sway bar bushings and links hoping one of those cheaper parts would solve the problem. It did not. I had my buddy turn the wheel with me under the vehicle, and noticed both brand new upper ball joint/control arm assemblies had failed after 2 months which is insane, as well as the inner tie rods needed to be replaced because I noticed a quite a bit of play in them. I had the control arms swapped as "defective," and installed the new ones today, as well as the inner tie rods. THE CLUNKING IS STILL THERE, slightly less with the new ball joint assembly, but still there. it seems to be coming from the driver side, and I can feel it in the floor and in the steering wheel, as well as audibly hear it. Happens mainly on slow turns like into a parking spot, or when I back out of my driveway and turn the wheel. It's also worth noting that it's not the typical rhythmic clicking from a bad cv axle, and as far as I can tell they do not need replacing. I also don't have excess play in the steering wheel, nor does it drift while driving. It's also relatively hard to replicate unless I actually drive around for a few minutes. Anyone have any idea what it could be? I thought maybe loose bolts on the front crossmember, or loose bolts on lower control arms, but all seem tight. I'm at a loss.

 

[Fless]

Focus on the front diff mounts.

 

[jsobryan94]

I figured it out. It was the back bolt on the lower control arm. It was over torqued

 

[tom3]

Overtorqued? And that makes a 'pop' noise? That's a new one for me. But glad you got it fixed. Front end noises can be bad news sometimes.

 

[jsobryan94]

The pop sounded as if metal was being "stressed" or "heated" almost. I never thought that was a thing either but thought what the heck let me just check because ive explored every other option, and I've know guys to just tighten the crap out of something instead of doing it to spec. It was so tight, the metal washer was digging into the lower control arm mount, and every time I'd hit a bump or turn simultaneously, it would slide on the mount and make a pop noise.

Overtorqued? And that makes a 'pop' noise? That's a new one for me. But glad you got it fixed. Front end noises can be bad news sometimes.

 

[Joseph Garcia]

Welcome to the Forum from NH.

Lots of knowledgeable folks here who freely share their knowledge, experiences, and perspectives. Knowledge is power.

I hope that you will become a participating member in the Forum's discussions.

Pics of the truck, please.

I'm glad to read that your issue is resolved. Please add the word "FIXED" or "SOLVED" to your thread's title, to let others who are experiencing a similar issue know that this thread has an identified solution.

 

[fredcook]

I figured it out. It was the back bolt on the lower control arm. It was over torqued

Nice catch!