Drivetrain Growling/Gravelly Noise Diagnosis

[Jeff Gurr]

If the noise goes away when turning I would suspect a bad front wheel bearing. I had found this on my 1st wife's Suzuki Side Kick the inner wheel bearing on the passenger side had gotten water into it and took it out.

Yep, that's what I thought first too. The noise was there in straight ahead path and worse when turning to the right. This led me to believe it was the left front wheel bearing. Changed it and the noise is still there.

 

[Cummins12V98]

The truck is a '14 with 100,075 miles.

Guess this is an example of mentioning a problem to have it on record.

Bummer! Hope it’s an easy fix.

At that mileage I would take it to the Dealer unless it’s over 5 years.

 

[Jeff Gurr]

You can check the front axle u-joints a few different ways. With the tires on the ground you can reach in the joints with your hands or a bar and apply pressure to them, looking for ANY differences in movement between the caps and the bodies. Any movement would indicate worn out and there's play in the trunion/cap.

Or you can jack up one tire and with the transfer case in 4wd, try to rotate that tire which is off the ground back and forth while watching the joints on that side. Again, looking for any excess movement between the caps and body.

Also, jack up both tires off the ground at the same time and have the transfer case in 2wd. With the tires pointed straight, spin the tires and determine their smoothness and resistance to spin. Then turn the wheel full lock and do the same thing, again watching for smoothness and resistance to spin. Turn full lock in the other direction and repeat. A tight or bad u-joint will cause the tires to resist spinning when the tires are turned, and they may vibrate or make noises you can hear too.

A tight or bad front axle u-joint will cause a vibration but generally this is something you'll feel more pronounced when your turning the steering wheel at all. Going straight the u-joints dont move and simply rotate slowly so they arent going to vibrate the same as if they're on a driveshaft which is spinning much much fast than the axle rotates.

As for the front driveshaft joints... They will vibrate like a humming vibrating tool if they're bad or need to be replaced. If thats more what you're feeling then you can stop looking at the axles.

Thank you Katoom, I will do these tests. The noise is there in straight ahead path so it does seem odd that it would be the u-joint. Nonetheless I am curious to see the results of your tests. The u-joint is definitely not loose since I checked for that specifically while I had the wheel bearing out. Stay tuned...

 

[Jeff Gurr]

Guess this is an example of mentioning a problem to have it on record.

Bummer! Hope it’s an easy fix.

At that mileage I would take it to the Dealer unless it’s over 5 years.

I bought it used so can't say for sure if it is more than 5 years old. Local dealer isn't all that anyway so I don't mind to learn more about my truck.

 

[KATOOM]

Yes, an '14 has the CAD system, therefore the front driveshaft isnt spinning at road speed.

 

[KATOOM]

Just curious but you changed both wheel bearings or just one?

 

[EDankievitch]

Just curious but you changed both wheel bearings or just one?

I'd check the other side if you haven't changed it already. The fact that the noise changes when turning changing the side load on it tells me it's in a wheel hub bearing front or rear.

 

[Cummins12V98]

I bought it used so can't say for sure if it is more than 5 years old. Local dealer isn't all that anyway so I don't mind to learn more about my truck.

Up to you but the Dealer can look ups purchase date in a flash! YOU may still be covered, don't know unless you try.

This is a FACT my Dad had a 94 something needed to be covered under warranty they denied it. Then he showed them how the trucks odo wass off and racking up more miles than reality. Warranty DID cover it.

Is your odo accurate?

 

[KATOOM]

I'd check the other side if you haven't changed it already. The fact that the noise changes when turning changing the side load on it tells me it's in a wheel hub bearing front or rear.

Agree...

 

[Jeff Gurr]

Well, it was the other side. Thankfully the bearing is the same for either side so I just put the old good bearing on the passenger side.

So, the bad bearing gets quieter when you increase the load on it or turning away from that side. Exact opposite what I read on the internet. Must have been fake news... LOL!


Thank you everyone for your help!

 

[nukegm]

thanks for the conclusion on the thread. so often, there is never a " end " to the thread. good info . cheers!