The money pit continues... LOL

ChevroletTough · April 9, 2020

Hey all,

So after having dumped a ton of money into this thing. It's back for more. 2000 K3500 7.4l

The front wheel bearings and brakes were done recently (I opted to pay for this vs me doing it. Glad I did as 2 of the 8 bolts had to be torched out for the hub mounting. I planned ahead and ordered 8 new bolts). I also (within the last week) replaced all of the shocks. They were SHOT! I upgraded to 4600 Bilstien's. Man does it ride and handle SO much better. I was surprised how much better it is, due to it being a 1 ton. I knew it would still ride rough, but fresh shocks really made it SO much better.

I tested the 4WD on an icy morning here. Passenger side started to make noises, it got louder as I slowed, wheel started to hop. Felt like a flat tire at one point. Pulled off, checked everything, all looked good.

Finished the trip in 2WD, no issues.

Finally decided to test it again, same thing. Even at a slow speed (crawling) I can hear a random clunk noise.

Gotta be one of the following:

- new wheel bearing (doubtful as it should make noises in 2wd)

- front differential (not thinking so as it only appears to be passenger side only)

- passenger side CV axle. I have pulled on it and tried to make it shake or pivot, but it doesn't do much. I really think this is my problem. I have ordered a new passenger side CV axle. I only need to remove the tire (because I cannot remove the center cap on the wheel without removing it), remove the axle nut, turn the wheel, pull the 5-6 bolts out on the diff side, remove the front sway bar end link and pull it out. Reverse order to get it in. I am going to start soaking the mounting bolts with pb blaster now.

I have also ordered new sway bar end links and will end up replacing both sides.

Assuming the cv bolts come out decent with my impact, this shouldn't be a huge deal.

I don't hear any clicking or anything when turning in 2WD, which is odd. I would expect that.

Watched a youtube video on this all and it really looks not difficult at all.

Edited April 9, 2020 by ChevroletTough

davester · April 9, 2020

Since you mentioned you had replaced the front hubs recently, the cv axle should come out relatively easily. I would suggest coating the splines of the new cv axle with anti-seize, so it'll come out easier down the road.

But, I would suggest getting all 4 wheels off the ground on jackstands and seeing if what if anything makes noise when in 4wd...

ChevroletTough · April 9, 2020

The shop that did the work has a guy who knows these trucks pretty well. He coats everything in grease and anti seize (where applicable). The cv should pull out of the wheel bearing without issue.

I have considered getting all 4 off the ground to see. But the symptoms sure really point to the cv.

ChevroletTough · April 15, 2020

Will be replacing the sway bar end link and CV this weekend. Hoping that is the issue!

If this is the new wheel bearing its going to be a giant pain. I'll have to get the warranty work done and then get moog/amazon to pay for the labor to remove and reinstall. I REALLY hope I don't have to go that route.

davester · April 15, 2020

You'll probably have some difficulty with that, as most warranties on parts just cover giving you another part, and explicitly does not include labor. If you paid a shop to do the job, and the shop provided the parts, then the shop will/should not charge for the labor (if they are a decent shop, IMHO)...

ChevroletTough · April 15, 2020

Yup. What are the odds a brand new wheel bearing is trash in 1000 miles. Hmmmmm

Cmon please be the cv!

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

ChevroletTough · April 19, 2020

Cv shaft replaced (and sway bar end link). No more clunks!!

I’ll end up replacing the other cv and sway bar end link.

ALL steering components need to be replaced. They are SHOT

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk