Okay so I have a 99 1500 4x4 with 5.2l and a nv3500 transmission. I've been a mechanic for some time now and I know my way around these trucks fairly well but this problem has me kind of stumped. When I have the truck engaged in either 4lo or 4hi everything seems to be fine until I need to make a turn. I know that when locked into 4wd and the wheel turned completely to the rich or left the ujoints can cause some minor binding and the steering wheel to jump almost but that's not the issue. Even while making a sight turn there is a horrible grinding noise coming from the front end that gets worse the more I turn the wheel. The truck also seems to lurch while this is happening. It almost seems like the differential is binding which is what I'm leaning towards. Any opinions on what it possibly could be ? Or what I could check to help pinpoint the problem ? I don't really want to tear into it without knowing for sure what I'm trying to fix as this is my daily driver. I also need my 4wd as I live in Ohio. Any help is greatly appreciated.

 

Are you driving in 4x4 on Dry ground?

 

And is your front diff open, nobody welded the spool?
Check your front axle u-joints.

 

How many miles on the truck? Are you sure it isn't coming from the t-case? Mine sounds perfectly fine in 4x2, but, put it in any flavor of 4x4, and you would think something was about to explode... It sounds freaking HORRID....... Even going straight....

 

Thanks for the replies, U-joints are peachy I changed them before winter and I wasn't on dry ground at all. I'm not sure if it's coming from t-case or not I'll have to get it on jack stands and drop it in 4wd turn the wheel and try and see if I can hear it coming from the t-case. I know my ball joints aren't in the best shape on the driver side but they aren't completely shot so I didn't think they were the issue. I'll be doing those this weekend though unless I find the problem before then. Also with mine it only happens while turning not when going straight, it doesn't matter left or right it's makes the noise either way. I might have time tonight to get it on jack stands and take a listen, if I do I'll let you know what I find.

 

Oh and front diff is open, it's all stock, no welded spiders or anything like that.