Engine/Transmission (1994 - 1998) Front axle noise, normal?

[Dieselnerd]

I changed the brake pads yesterday on my 4x4. When rotating the drivers side wheel I could hear a noise I don't recall hearing before but maybe I just missed it. When spinning the wheel I could hear what sounds like a faint ratchet that seemed to be coming from the inside of the axle. At first I thought it might be the U joint going bad but the ratchet sound was much more rapid than the rotation of the joint. Just a faint clicking that sounded exactly like a ratchet. No noise from the passenger side. Normal or something going wrong?



Another question, what is the typical life of a front axle U joint? My truck has 92K on it now but doesn't see much 4 wheel drive and almost all highway miles.



Thanks...

 

[Joe G.]

Does the noise sound different if the steering is straight ahead vs hard over? If it is worse hard over it's probably the U-joint. The U-joint has needle bearings so the sound may not match the rotation.

 

[Dieselnerd]

Joe, it sounds the same straight or turned and it's very faint. It's also a perfect ratchet sound like a pawl clicking over teeth. My first thought was also U joint but it just doesn't seem to match because the clicking is rapid even though the rotation is slow. I'll keep an eye (ear?) on it. I'm sure if it's a malfunction it will get worse.

 

[Dieselnerd]

Joe, I just jacked it up and checked it again. You were right, it's a U joint starting to go. Same noise turned or straight but I did what I should have done yesterday, I grabbed the U joint and when it's rotated in certain spots I can detect some play in it. Thanks for keeping me pointed in the right direction...

 

[EGaskamp]

Don't wait to change out that u joint. I did and it cost me big time because it go so bad that it almost broke off. Good luck

 

[Joe G.]

Ron,



Check the wheel bearing too. If it is just as noisy straight ahead or turned I wonder if the U-joint is the problem. Staight ahead the U-joint is not working nearly as much as it is turned hard over so if the U-joint is bad you should notice a difference.

 

[CumminsPower98]

Check your u-joints like everyones says but I think the noise you hear is the normal clicking sound of the spider gears in the differential, thus the sound on the driver side and not passenger. Mine does this and is 100% normal. I really don't think the sound you are hearing is coming from a u-joint even if it is worn.



Mark

 

[Dieselnerd]

Thanks to everyone for their replies. I think Mark may have hit on what the noise is. I do have a U joint with some play that will need to be replaced but it's not far enough gone to make any noise yet. Joe, I'm pretty sure the bearing is OK too. Another spring project! Every year after I get home from my winter trip to AZ I go over the truck and fix all the little things that happened over the winter. So far this spring I've resealed the gearcase, put on a Lukes Link to tighten up my trackbar, flushed the coolant, replaced the front brake pads and replaced a grease boot at the end of the pitman arm that was torn. I like to keep everything perfect.

 

[Green Machine]

Don't let that U-joint go to long. It will cost ya big time if you do!