01 Suburban "clink clink" noise front drivers side

Hi Guys,

Help me out here. My 01 suburban 1500 has this metal to metal clink clink sound coming form the driver's side front end. It only happens at low speeds or especially coasting. Once I get cruising it seems to go away. It is similar to the sound I hear when I have engaged the 4WD, only it is repetitive. My hunch is that it is something to do with the front transaxle? Is that the right word/terminology? There seems to be no other negative effect to the truck's operation, but I don't want a small problem to get bigger. Any ideas? I do not have knowledge of these issues but I would like to be somewhat informed when my mechanic starts making recommendations. This does not sound like an inexpensive problem. Am I dreaming to hope that this could be a minor issue?

Thanks

That is usually the front drive axle or the CV joint as it is also called. It usually makes that noise at low speeds. It won't have any real effect on the operation, you just don't want it break while you are using the 4wd. Autozone has the part for $130 after you return the core. However once it breaks I don't know if they will take it for a core. That would add $62 to the price. Its not a real big job to replace it. Remove the wheel, brake caliper, the spindle and other things just to give you an idea as to what is involved. Probably less than 4 hours for a shop to do it just for a guess. I am no expert either just a DIY guy giving some direction.

Hey thanks for the reply. Is this one of those "we must replace both sides" kind of repairs? Or is it OK to do just one side?

If you had the money you could do both sides but if you don't that is fine too. Obviously you will probably hear it going bad if it needs the other side. Just because one side is apart it doesn't affect the other side. You need to start from scratch on the other side removing stuff so there won't be any cost savings by doing it now while one side is out.

Take a good look at the CV Boot on the side that is not making noise. The condition of the boot will tell you if you need to replace it right now. If the boot is cracked, dirt will get in and ruin it. If you catch it early you can just replace the boot, but you never know how much dirt got in.

//2000CAYukon