4 Wheel Drive/SUVs: All Wheel Drive, oldsmobile bravada, 1998 oldsmobile bravada

Question
I have a 1998 Oldsmobile Bravada with the Smarttrack all wheel drive. Ive haad this vehicle for a year now and im kinda in the dark about exactly how the smartrack system works. Do the front tires only engage if the back tires are spinning or do they automatically start pulling at a ceritan rpm? Also for the last few months if i turn to the left or to the right to slow or to sharp i have a popping noise coming from the front of my vehicle. I have been told that its the diff slippin but honestly i dont think thats what it is. I was just wondering if you could clear this up for me and a posible way to fix it.

Answer
Dillon,

Normally full time or all wheel drive vehicles only apply traction to the front, or rear of the vehicle (depending on the type of transfer case) and when the vehicle detects loss of traction, power is applied to the non-driven axles.
If you are having this type of noise from the front end, I would doubt very seriously if it is the differential.  I would check out the axle cv joints as this is the most common failure in this type of drive system.  
If it was a differential, then the noise could occur intermitantly, or fail completely, but not just in turns.  
If it is a cv joint, then it not a real difficult fix and takes about 2 hours per side.  I would take the Bravada to a reputable transmission shop and have it checked, or get an estimate for repair.
If you want to trouble shoot, or repair it yourself, then I would purchase a repair manual at a local auto parts store.  They have step by step instructions on trouble shooting and repair along with pictures of the components, and a list of any special tools needed.

Carl