4X4 problem after shock installation

Hello everyone, I'm new to the forum although I've been reading it for about a year. I'm hoping someone may be able to help. Installed Bilstein 5100's up front set on the top ring about a month ago along with a diff drop kit. Ride is great and truck sits perfect. Today, put the truck in 4wd for the first time since installation. When the 4x4 is engaged, there is a loud pop when turning either direction. Definitely sounds like something is binding. Anyone else have this issue? Any help would be greatly appreciated!

 

Did you loosen the lower control arm / alignment cam bolts? Those are notorious for making loud popping noises after doing front end work. They need to be tight, I think 80-100 ft lbs

 

Are you on loose terrain, like gravel/dirt, or on paved roads? If the latter - the only issue is that you shouldn't be running 4x4 on hard surfaces.

 

This is also worth checking depending on how you answer my other comment. Mine clunked until I tightened the cam bolt further.

 

And at what speed too?

 

I was on dirt, although it's about about the hardest dirt road you'll probably find. I did't loosen the cam bolts, but I did take it for an alignment after the installation and they may have done so. I will check it out once all this rain stops!

 

Speed was maybe 5mph

 

Shouldn't be on 4x4 hi at that speed. That could be the pop sound. Where you turning?

 

Just turning into a driveway (not paved) so I could turn around. I take it somewhere unpaved about once a month and put it in 4wd just to keep things rolling.

 

Yeah, sounds like that's it. When doing that, turn off 4x4 HI and then complete the turn. Turn back on when you're headed straight again.

 

That's how mine got loose and made that noise (was my previous truck, a 2008 tacoma). I took it back twice to have them troubleshoot the noise and they never figured it out, the good guys over at tacomaworld helped me out.

 

Thanks for the tips! I was afraid it might be something more serious.

 

207 ft lbs lol!

 

From instructions I’ve seen they all say to loosen the lower control arm cam bolts. It looks like he was able to install them without doing so. I wonder if that causes things to bind up if they weren’t loosened before hand.