thunder550

iTrader: (70)

This is on my 99 1500. Twice now when backing out of a parking space with the steering wheel cranked all the way to the right, I've gotten a loud pop or bang from what sounds like the left front wheel area. The first time it happened I thought maybe the tire just caught the plastic fender liner, but the second time I stopped and got out to look and there was enough clearance that it wasn't possible.

Second time (last night) that it happened, it actually felt like I drove over something, I could feel the truck bind up a little bit and then release after the pop happened. Now my alignment is off, truck pulls pretty hard to the right. I'm going down in a little bit to check everything out, but I'm not sure if I'll see anything obvious.

I'm not sure if it's related or not, but I've had something that rattles over bumps in the truck since I finished it. I may have just been listening closely last night after hearing the pops, but it seems louder now.

Anyone have any ideas?

thunder550

iTrader: (70)

I just went out and poked around under the truck, jacked the front end up, tried to shake the tires, nothing seems loose. Cranked the wheel to both directions and spun the tires, no binding. Not sure what to check next.

GMCtrk

iTrader: (27)

I had a popping issue on slow turns at full lock, turned out to be the front crossmember I had dropped a while earlier wasn't fully tightened back up. Got the bolts torqued properly and no issues since. This doesn't explain your alignment going out of whack tho.

silver-mod-o

iTrader: (15)

Camber plates sliding around??

thunder550

iTrader: (70)

I checked those, they don't look like they are moving. I'm wondering about my LCA's though. I replaced UCA bushings, upper ball joint, and inner and outer tie rods. Never did LCA bushings or ball joints, and they don't look like they are in very good shape. Maybe the rubber is deteriorating enough that the LCA is sliding around?

trxmxzx

iTrader: (7)

i had a issue with my steering shaft making noises every once in a while on my z71- replaced alot of parts in front end and it was that.... but mine did not pull like your talking good luck

thunder550

iTrader: (70)

Yeah I have the steering shaft rattle too, that's a different noise.

I fixed the rattle on the passenger side, it was a loose shock bolt. Still no idea what cause the alignment to jump...also went out and tried to duplicate the popping noise and can't. I guess I'll just take it in for alignment again and see if they tell me anything is bad. Time to make use of that lifetime alignment I bought at Firestone

kbracing96

iTrader: (26)

It probable needs lower ball joints.

AKlowriderZ71

iTrader: (22)

Sounds like your upper control arms are loose at the frame. You should have your wife retorque them for you.

Koots

Are you tie-rods bending by chance?

A pair of cheap sleeves is a very quick fix for the average truck, but it's not perfect. I found it helped the steering solidity while taking sharp corners at around town speeds. I felt less scrub and flex, which was disconcerting.