Odd new thump noise when coming to a complete stop

2001 DODGE DAKOTA

180 MILES • 3.9L • 6 CYL • 2WD • AUTOMATIC

HIDDEN1

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107 POSTS
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A few weeks after getting another rear differential in and changing out the front left lower ball joint - at times when coming to a complete stop, in reverse only, I'm hearing a pop noise.
It's not all the time an seems like more when wheels are turned it does it. Once at a forward abrupt stop but rarely ever in normal front driving.
Tightened up everything well and it came back again.
Both lower joints an upper in front aren't old and U joints aren't old either.
Can a front sway bar bushing that's old do that?
Adjusted rear brake shoes and parking brake also.
I do know one drum is a bit more worn than the other one but good braking.
Is it differential possibly? Drive shaft didn't seem to have a lot of play just a tad of turn in park.

I'm stumped, went and tried to replicate it in a parking lot last night and couldn't get it to. Now today as leaving a drive area backing out with wheel turned it popped or thumped.
Any info is appreciated.
Also, can reusing same old 4 U bolts to hold differential factor anything?

Oct 11, 2021 at 3:17 PM

KASEKENNY

CERTIFIED EXPERT
18,907 POSTS

Based on the fact that this only happens in reverse makes me thing this is most likely a shoe getting stuck to the drum and the pop noise is it letting go and the noise is the shoe snapping back into place.

If it were me and you noticed a little more wear to the drums, I would replace them and then retest this.

Here is a guide that will help with this:

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/how-to-replace-rear-brake-shoes-and-drums

The reason this happens and does not affect braking is because the leading shoe does most of the stopping when driving forward. Then in reverse the trailing shoe is what does most of the braking. So, if the trailing shoe is sticking, you would not notice this because it is not doing much except when in reverse.

Please see the info below on how to replace this. Can you get a recording of this as well and that will help confirm this? Thanks

Images (Click to enlarge)

Oct 11, 2021 at 7:32 PM

HIDDEN1

MEMBER
107 POSTS

One thing i know since putting a different differential in is yes, I'm using those brake set ups, and pads are thick and i adjusted then. But one drum is from my original and the other drum from another truck. can two different drums and both off another truck do that?
I will look at measuring them an see if they can be turned.

I was going to look at the u joint and replace it, though it's only 2 years old. Could the bad pinion had strained the u joint and that's a factor to the thump?

Oct 12, 2021 at 3:21 PM

KASEKENNY

CERTIFIED EXPERT
18,907 POSTS

Short answer is yes to all of this, so we need to start narrowing it down. If the drums are not even or worn evenly then it can cause issues, so I bet the one that you took off another truck is out of round or something else. So, turning them would be a good start.

However, can you get a recording of this noise? If it is a sticking show or a u joint, they make distinct noises so I am sure we can narrow this down if you can.

I would suggest having someone stand outside the truck and walk next to you and hold the phone as close as possible. I don't need to see anything, just hear it.

Oct 12, 2021 at 4:07 PM

HIDDEN1

MEMBER
107 POSTS

I ordered new drums so that will help. If it were the u joint would i hear it every time?

I didn't hear it yesterday but i did have a load of weight on the back.
I will try to record it soon if it does it....

Oct 13, 2021 at 5:07 PM

KASEKENNY

CERTIFIED EXPERT
18,907 POSTS

That is interesting. Normally a u joint will make a noise on each revolution when it binds and pops loose. So, can you back up for a long period of time and make it do it over and over?

If so, with the addition of a load and it stops that again supports a u joint because it is lessening the angle and makes it easier to turn.

If it is just a single pop, then that is most likely a brake shoe issue.

Let us know what you find with this. Thanks

Oct 13, 2021 at 6:05 PM

HIDDEN1

MEMBER
107 POSTS

I tightened several things including front suspension and readjusted rear brakes and put new drums on.
No longer getting the thump.
Likely brake related.

I am getting a new code p0431. Does a loose pipe between muffler and catalytic converter cause that? What should i look at? I do have a elm reader that can read 02 readings.
Thanks

Oct 23, 2021 at 6:07 PM

KASEKENNY

CERTIFIED EXPERT
18,907 POSTS

That is great and I agree that most likely that was a brake related issue. Thanks for updating us.

As for your o2 sensor code, that could be caused by a connection issue, but we need to get a new post started as others will not find that solution under this post. Basically, we need keep each post to one topic so that all others will benefit from your solution.

https://www.2carpros.com/questions/new

Thanks again for using 2CarPros.

Oct 24, 2021 at 8:09 AM