2nd Gen Non-Engine/Transmission Can't tell which, hub bearing or axle ujoint

[wlowe]

I've been having a grinding noise/feeling from the front drivers side when turning right and backing up. I jacked it up and everything seems tight so I decided to tear it down and install the EBC brake pads and cryo'ed rotors that I've been sitting on for six months. With the wheels turned to the right I pulled the rotor and I can hear a ticking sound when I rotate the hub. Problem is I can't tell if it is the wheel bearing or the axle ujoint. Both are tight but the clicking sound is hard to pinpoint.



Anybody know a way, other than completely tearing it down, to pinpoint this noise. If it's just the hub bearing that is all I will replace but if it is a ujoint I'm going to do the balljoints also. Any help is appreciated.

 

[mpaulson]

When you had the front end up and the wheel cranked and turned it, it should have a stiff spot as you rotate the tire if the joint is siezing, if you straighten the wheels to straight ahead, then turn the tire and you don't feel a stiff spot while rotating the tire, then I would say for sure that you have a u joint issue. If it is siezing, then you will find it this way. If the joint is loose, then you should be able to grab it and see/feel some movement in the joint which you mentioned seemed tight. If these don't yeild any results, then it may be the wheel bearings, when you turn right, you put a good side load on the left side (outter) bearing. The side loading of the bearing may give you the signs first of a pending failure possible.

 

[fest3er]

Rust on a ujoint on/near the seal is a good clue that the ujoint is bad. The ticking is most probably the ujoint. Hub bearings rarely fail.

 

[wlowe]

I took your advice and jacked it up, turned wheel to right, spun tire and no binding, just a clicking noise like safe tumblers. Straightened wheels and no binding. No rust on ujoint. I think I'm going to replace the unit bearing and see what happens. Thanks for the advice guys!

 

[JDKammin]

If it was me, I would replace both of them. It seems like if you only do one, the other piece will fail next week when you are going to the grocery store. If you are planning on replacing the hub unit, all the labor is done to get to the axle shaft. Whenever I have had a hub unit go out, there is always some play, when wiggling the tire that is off of the ground. I am leaning towards the u-joint being bad.

 

[wlowe]

UPDATE!! I replaced the hub unit bearing and the grinding is gone. Thanks to all who gave advice.