Binding/Clicking from front that ISN'T CVs?

ANYTHING TO DO WITH MAKING YOUR VAN MOVE EXCEPT FOR THE ENGINE ITSELF.
Post Reply
User avatar

Topic author
Herbie
ASV Supporter
ASV Supporter
Posts: 674
Joined: Tue Aug 04, 2009 10:45 am
Location: San Diego, CA
Has thanked: 12 times
Been thanked: 4 times
Contact:

Binding/Clicking from front that ISN'T CVs?

Post by Herbie »

So I'd started another thread a few months back. I had what I assumed to be a failing CV halfshaft. Well after a too-long too-expensive odyssey, both halfshafts have been replaced, but the noise persists. Trying to narrow down what else it could be. Given that I think I've eliminated those as the source, I thought I should start a new thread up in the general Drivetrain area...

Symptoms: Hard clicking type sound. Like something is binding then slipping, or something. Seems to be present under load now, even when going straight, but is worse in turns. Most noticeable at low speeds but I can't be sure that road/tire noise isn't just drowning it out. Clicking frequency increases with road speed. Seems to be a "multiple" of wheel revs - i.e. it clicks more than once per tire circumference.

Could it be anything other than the front diff?

I'm about to (finally) swap to a 4x4 transfer case, but I'm hesitant to do that until I know I'm not bolting it up to an otherwise broken drivetrain...

If it IS the front diff, what are my choices, given that eventually I plan to do a re-gear? I suppose I could find an ebay/junkyard diff with the same 3.42 gears I've got - there are plenty of those around, but at one point am I just better off having my diff "fixed" and re-geared at the same time. How much more expensive is that likely to be for the front? (And then I must to do the rear, too...)

Thanks all.
"My minivan is cooler than your bro-truck"
2003 Astro AWD Astrolander/ZMB - GTRV Top Transplant, 4" OLV Lift, NP233 T-case, evolving interior
1995 Safari GTRV Organ donor - gutted and gone.
Image
User avatar

Topic author
Herbie
ASV Supporter
ASV Supporter
Posts: 674
Joined: Tue Aug 04, 2009 10:45 am
Location: San Diego, CA
Has thanked: 12 times
Been thanked: 4 times
Contact:

Re: Binding/Clicking from front that ISN'T CVs?

Post by Herbie »

Ahaa!

Local shop has the answer for me: Front drive shaft.

I'm guessing I damaged it when I was desert wheeling last spring. Ordering an ebay replacement for now.
"My minivan is cooler than your bro-truck"
2003 Astro AWD Astrolander/ZMB - GTRV Top Transplant, 4" OLV Lift, NP233 T-case, evolving interior
1995 Safari GTRV Organ donor - gutted and gone.
Image

LiftedAWDAstro
I have my van tatooed on my cheeks
Posts: 4379
Joined: Sat Sep 09, 2006 3:35 pm
Location: New Haven, NY

Re: Binding/Clicking from front that ISN'T CVs?

Post by LiftedAWDAstro »

Glad you have a solution. I was thinking possibly a rear ujoint.
Current rides:
2013 Toyota Tundra DC 4x4
2008 Dodge Nitro 4x4
2005 Nissan Sentra 1.8S Special Edition

Mileage spreadsheet

Vans owned:
1986 Safari 2.5L 4 speed manual - scrapped
1995 Astro 2WD conversion 4.11 posi, shift kit, DHC rock rails - sold to Skippy
1998 Astro 4x4 D44, D60, NP231, full hydraulic system with 9k# Milemarker winch and snow plow - sold to Lockdoc
2003 Astro AWD all stock - traded for a 3/4 ton truck
2005 AWD, 4.10's - sold to skippy
User avatar

doyoulikeithere
ASV Supporter
ASV Supporter
Posts: 2060
Joined: Tue Nov 17, 2009 8:27 pm
Location: Misty Mountains of Cowichan BC.

Re: Binding/Clicking from front that ISN'T CVs?

Post by doyoulikeithere »

Yup, I had a noisy front DS too. Didnt Click though. Just kinda thumped.
Fixed it myself with new ujoints inside the double cardan joint...
Not sure if your year has that ..
2021 Yamaha Tenere 700 - Blue.
2016 Yamaha XSR900 - Silver.
1990 Astro - AWD - Brown.
1987 Astro - With 5 Speed & 4wd - Silver & Blue.
Post Reply