New member here....There is a really loud popping noise coming from under my 1998 Durango 4WD. Was told (by my father) the only thing it could be is the CV axle. Changed that and it is still doing it. It only does it when I am turning left or right. Sound like it is coming from transfer case. Any ideas? Thank you in advance!

 

Are you trying to drive it on the road in 4HI or 4HIPT (depends on which transfer case you have)? Normally people say popping when turning is ball joints, but I don't know if it would be as loud as you're saying it is.

 

Yup, ball joints has my vote considering they are arguably the weakest link in the front end of our D's.

 

Just crawled next to it while son in law backed up and turned it for me. Definitely not ball joint.....coming from transfer case. The transfer case is literally jumping when it pops. Very sad and expensive repair. Thanks for your help anyway guys.

 

Go to the junkyard, its not that hard to change out a transfer case.

 

So it is making this noise when backing up in a straight line, or is it making this noise when you turn?

Also, are you in 4WD or 2WD when checking this?

4WD + Dry Road = loud (bad) noises from the front end.

 

I have it in 2W, and it only makes the popping sound when I turn.

 

My vote would be the front driveshaft. Same symptoms on my 02 Durango!

 

@pkucan....would it only pop when turning? If I am driving straight it doesn't pop.

 

That is exactly how mine behaved. I replaced everything else before finding the problem. I should have had it up on blocks, running before I threw parts at it!