I have a loud clunk noise coming from somewhere in the front end of my Bravada. It happens only during acceleration. Sounds like from the front driveshaft or transfer case, somewhere on driver's side. Maybe the front driveshaft is binding up? I replaced all U-joints, Front driveshaft CV Joint, and motor mounts. None of that seemed to make any difference. I really need some help and opinions here because I have no idea what it could be, I'm hoping it's not the transfer case or front differential but I'm really starting to think that!

97 Olds Bravada Smarttrak

 

I have the same thing!

I just purchased a 97 bravada very, very cheap. The front shaft was in the cargo area... The PO said it "squeaked" and a shop removed it.

Well, tonight I stuck it in, and as soon as I accelerate... POP POP POP

It's perfectly quiet without the shaft, and the front CV's look newer than original. Also, without the front shaft, the vehicle slowly creeps on any non level surface. I suspect this is normal.

I'm hoping it's the front shaft. There are a ton of these at the local yard, so I'll swap till i get a good one I suppose. I do hate taking the xmember down... perhaps I'll just drop the exhaust off the manifolds.

 

what ever you do, do not, DO NOT drive the bravada with the front shaft installed.
What you need to do is go under the truck, and check all the u-joints n such on the drive shaft. Check for play and wear.... but when you have AWD, its horrible to drive without the front drive shaft.

 

I'm unsure of the miles the previous owner put on it without the shaft, but I think it was a great many. I only ran it that way to drive it home when I purchased it.

Sadly, it is the transfer case. Fluid is dark/burnt. And I can run it up against the brake, then let the brake off slowly and the popping is much faster than the drive line is traveling.

93' Bravada sitting in the local yard, I'll have a look in the morning.

 

Update:

Transfer case fixed my problem.

I super lucked out also... the 93' Bravada I went to pull one from, already had the tranny pulled. The transfer case was laying neatly underneath, with everything disconnected.

I was *not* looking forward to pulling it in the yard. But, it was pretty easy in my garage with proper tools

Hopefully this helps somebody