Front end knocking

[NSperduto]

On my 04, when slowing down to a light and I get under 30mph, I'm getting a knocking from the front end with rotation of the wheel.

It almost sounds like a really bad u-joint slapping around, but I get no vibration at high speed.



I set up an appointment, but I'm going to get under it tonight and take a look myself to make sure it's not something stupid.



Thought I'd post here and see if anyone else had a similiar problem.



Truck is a 4wd 2500 with 29k on it.



Also, today it did it while I was coasting along about 30mph. Brakes on or off and 4wd engaged or disengaged seems to make no difference



Thanks,

Nick

 

[BrentKaiser]

Bad pinion bearing

Took 2 weeks for my dealership to figure out what was causing the noise from the front end. It started at about 2000 miles. It ended up being the pinion bearing. Open your front diff and check everything in there. Gypsyman has some pictures of what his looked like. Here is a link to his member page.



Gypsyman

 

[mberry]

Mine was making a really bad grinding noise from the front end. Turned out to be so much ice packed in there is was grinding on stuff during suspension movement. Once the weather warmed up enough and the ice melted, it went away.

 

[NSperduto]

Well, it didn't take long. I took a look at the truck and the front axle is loose at the u-joint. So my guess is the axle bearing is shot or the u-joint or both.



I have an appt for the 12th. I'll be curious to hear what they say is wrong... ... LOL



I also checked the ball joints and I feel some play in the top one, but I think I'll wait awhile til they get worse and there's no question as to whether they are bad or not.



So, right now I'm at 30k and it's time for a diff oil change. If they have to remove the axle to change the bearing, then that saves me having to change the fluid in the front diff at least.



Nick

 

[Matt400]

I'm getting a knocking from the front end with rotation of the wheel.

Better check the trac bar mounting bolt at the frame.