2nd Gen Non-Engine/Transmission Clicking Front 4x4 Hubs

[tjm]

Ever since my 1st front diff lube change my front hubs have clicked while in 2WD. Engage 4WD and the clicking stops. Put the Front end on jacks and manually rotate the tires in 2WD and you can hear the clicking coming from the hubs. Its kind of annoying hearing your wheels click driving down the road. The sound bounces off of fences, trees, walls, etc. right back at you.



I checked the front lube, tilted the ax-el, put more lube in, so I know the whole axle assembly is covered in lube oil.



I've searched the forum and haven't found anyone else with this problem.



Tim

 

[CRSmith]

Maybe it's the front axle ujoints? Under load they don't have the play to click, but free they wobble around to make the clicking.

 

[tjm]

Hmmm, I'll have to check a little closer. It sounds like its actually in the hub. Maybe clicking isnt the right word. It sounds metal falling on top of metal, like a metal rod dropping on a solid piece of metal from a couple of inches high.

 

[Cooker]

I also would think it is the U-Joints, especially since it goes away under load. How many miles are on your truck?



It could be the hubs also, but if they are making that much noise I would think you would definitely have play in the wheel. If the wheel is nice and tight, I would thing the hubs are ok.

 

[tjm]

Cooker,





164k miles. There is a little play in the steering wheel. I can grab the steering shaft and move it slightly (say 1/16th of an inch). It moves in the middle connecting joint. I hardly ever use 4WD. And the funny thing is the clicking sound started after my 1st diff oil change.



Tim

 

[Gifford]

it's the u-joints

Mine did the same thing, I betcha its the u-joints eventually it will sound llike you have hub caps on the wheels with a loose lug nut bouncing around inside...

 

[tjm]

Gifford



Exactly, Lug nut or Rock bouncing around inside hub cap. Was it your U-Joints?



Tim

 

[Cooker]

tjm,

I'm sorry I did not make it a little clearer what wheel I was talking about. I was referring to the front wheel when you have it jacked off the ground. Sorry.



With the mileage and age of your truck I would definitely say U-Joints. I think it happening after the diff change is just a wierd coincidence.

 

[tjm]

Thanks Cooker



Im looking for some spicer u-joints as I type.

 

[tjm]

All



Thanks for the help. I removed the wheel to isolate the noise better. U-joints definately have play in both axis.



Tim

 

[Extreme1]

The NAPA premium u-joints are Dana/Spicer units with a lifetime guarantee.

 

[PGaither]

U-joints

Yep, everyone is right, its thr front differential U-joints. Same thing happened to me, its amazing hope d@#* annoying that clicking noise was (espicially going by fences, etc..... )Oo.