Help Diagnosing A Frontend Grinding Noise When Turning - wheel bearings? U joints?

[MattMartin]

Over the past couple of weeks I've noticed that as the temperature has become colder (~teens - thirties here), I'm hearing a grinding noise (along with vibration in the steering column) when turning right at low speeds. This noise is very noticeable when I first pull out of the driveway, but goes away by the time I get to work. I don't hear the noise or feel vibration when driving straight. When I head home from work (after its been sitting for 9 hours), if its cold all day, the noise/vibration is back when I pull out of the parking lot, but by the time I make it home (after 30 minutes of highway driving), I cannot make it make the noise again. Today, it was the worst it has been, and the vibration noise lasted ever after completing a turn. It also happens to have been the coldest day it has been in weeks. My first thought was that maybe it was u-joints or wheel bearings, but would either of those bee affected by changes in temperature? I'm not really a mechanical guy per se, so it could be anything, but these seem to be common culprits for this type of noise when reading on the web. Are there any other likely suspects for such a noise/vibration?

I dont know if it matters, but I drive an 08 Ram 2500 6.7 4x4. Everything mentioned above has been while driving in 2WD.

 

[seafish]

As you already suggested, while it may be the weelbearings, more then likely the axle shaft ujoints are going bad…maybe temp change gets the grease flowing enough to reduce the noise. Jack up the front end, remove the wheel(s) and check for u joint play using a pry bar in between the caps and spiders.

 

[Prairie Dog]

You can narrow it down a bit by lifting the front end off the ground and spinning the wheel while forcing it to turn left and right. If it binds when you turn then the U-joints are bad. If it always has the same feel then they are probably OK.
While it's off the ground try rocking the wheel to see if the bearings are loose.

 

[MattMartin]

Thank you Prairie Dog, and seafish for your replies. I'm going to jack it up this afternoon and take a look around to see if anything looks out of sorts. After some more time with it this morning, I'm beginning to wonder if its not something with the power steering. I did get a clip of the noise if anyone wants to take a listen....

Here is a short clip where it sounds normal - https://www.dropbox.com/s/nbs1qoa0ijfxjp2/Video Feb 03, 7 19 52 AM.mov?dl=0
and here is one where it is really whining - https://www.dropbox.com/s/s9mamy4kv63f31l/Video Feb 03, 7 21 26 AM.mov?dl=0

 

[mfurrh55]

Sounds like power steering pump to me

 

[Prairie Dog]

Sounds like power steering pump to me

X2.
Doesn't sound like suspension parts.

 

[mfurrh55]

Sounds like an old Ford Bronco i had , every time it got cold outside it started squealing

 

[MattMartin]

Sounds like power steering pump to me

Is there a foolproof way to check the power steering pump? Would temperature (or long times sitting) affect the power steering pump?

 

[jhenderson]

A bad pump is usually louder when cold, as the fluid is harder to pump.

 

[Prairie Dog]

Take the lid off the PS reservoir while it's running, if it gets a lot louder then you have your source.
Or you can get a cheap mechanics stethoscope from harbor freight for about ten bucks and use it to listen to things on the front of the engine.
Have you checked the fluid in it lately? Could be low or dirty.

Scott

 

[MattMartin]

Turns out it is something with the power steering. The fluid level was well below the minimum so I filled it up, took about 1/4 quart or so. When I got home, I got under it and sure enough, there is a leak somewhere. I don't think its leaking very fast, but it is definitely leaking. The bottom of the power steering box was wet, and I could see it was about to drip again as I was under it. I guess my next question is how to I spot where the leak is coming from? Only the bottom of the power steering box seems to be wet. Am I right in assuming that is the likely culprit or are there other things that could leak as well and run down to the power steering box before leaking?

 

[Prairie Dog]

If you don't see any oil on top of it and its only wet on the bottom, then that's probably where the leak is - and it's not uncommon.
Mine was replaced under warranty when it was only a few months old.

 

[MattMartin]

If you don't see any oil on top of it and its only wet on the bottom, then that's probably where the leak is - and it's not uncommon.
Mine was replaced under warranty when it was only a few months old.

Good to know. Is it worth trying a seal kit, or is it better to just replace it all at once... and I appreciate the help!

 

[Prairie Dog]

You may be able to replace the lower seal, I've never tried to do that. Maybe someone else here has..
If it were me, I would get a replacement from Red-Head in Seattle. They ship anyuplace and have a special process for making them better than new. I've used them before and they build a great product.
However, your probably about to get a lot of advice about bigger, better (maybe) and updated boxes. So you'll have lots of choices.