Front end noise diagnosis help?

[jaggedfish]

Well... let me see if I can explain this clearly...

Today I had the bus in AWD (not 4WD) and experienced a clunk, clunk, clunk sound - not super loud - that was most noticeable under load accelerating from a stop at lower speeds. The sound of the clunks sped up with the the acceleration then became less obvious as speed increased. It seemed the sound was coming from the left front or maybe center front of the van. The sound does not happen at all when the van is in 2WD.

My thoughts are either front u-joint or CV joint. Can any of the knowledgeable Delica gurus please shed some light on what this problem may be? I would greatly appreciate it.

Many thanks!
Ian

[tonydca]

If clunk/knocking is louder when you turn the steering all the way to one side then accelerate from stop, then you are probably correct.

[jaggedfish]

Thanks for the reply Tonydca. Will try that and see what happens. Correct on which account though... U-joint... CV-joint...?
Cheers!

[Rising Sun Auto Import]

Today I had the bus in AWD (not 4WD) and experienced a clunk, clunk, clunk sound - not super loud - that was most noticeable under load accelerating from a stop at lower speeds. The sound of the clunks sped up with the the acceleration then became less obvious as speed increased. It seemed the sound was coming from the left front or maybe center front of the van. The sound does not happen at all when the van is in 2WD.Ian

I would check propellar shaft for any damage/worn as well.

Steven

[tonydca]

Thanks for the reply Tonydca. Will try that and see what happens. Correct on which account though... U-joint... CV-joint...?
Cheers!

Best way is to check them out; if you can get it on a lift or jackstands, have someone grab a front wheel and rotate it back and forth while you look at/feel all the front end joints. As others have pointed out, there should be some backlash on the output from the front diff/transfer case, but the joints downstream from that should be pretty snug.

My CV boots were getting cracked with age so I have CVI replace them a while back; might check yours anyways while you are down there in case the CV joints themselves do not turn out to be the problem.

[MardyDelica]

ian,
you just need to check the front stabilizer link.
those thing were worn out most of the time. as this has only have plastic ball inside the link.
replace that and your clanking sound is gone.
front cv joint problem if your turning the wheel right or left and making a sound on low speed.
i never have front cv joint on L400, its basically stronger than L300 i pressume.
do that and see what comes up. no need to do cv join tfirst, this is the first step
as sometime you go off road.this wear out quickly.
if anything come up just buzz me and will see what we can do,
cheers;
Mardy

[jessef]

while in 4wd

if it's a constant 'click' it is likely the CV roller balls rubbing inside the casing due to water getting trapped in and contaminating the grease or the grease has dried out - resolution: remove CV shaft assembly, disassemble CV/remove balls, clean, re&re with fresh grease and new boots.

if it's a constant 'knock' it is likely one of the u-joints like RSI said on the front drive shaft is worn/loose - resolution: remove front drive shaft and replace u-joints

a wobbly u-joint on a spinning driveshaft will make a knocking sound as opposed to a dried out CV making a click-click sound. This applies for all L300, L400 and Pajero 4wd models.

You can diagnose both by free wheeling the front tires and grabbing the front drive shaft and try to wiggle it.

[jaggedfish]

Thanks guys so much for the added feedback and info! I will have to get under and check it out once the weather warms up a bit... it is currently -26 degrees and dropping Should be back to a tolerable cold later in the week.

I would describe the sound more as a knock rather than a click so I will check u-joints first. Would be a good time to get under there and check everything anyway. From what I can tell so far it seems the noise occurs mostly with wheels straight rather than turned but due to time and COLD I haven't given it the full check yet.

Will post my findings.

Mardy... will give you a call if needed. Thanks!