2nd Gen Non-Engine/Transmission Front end noise

[24vcummins]

I have a noise comming from the front end. It happens once every rotation of the wheel at low speeds. I can't tell at faster speeds. It sounds like something grabbing. When I put my foot on the brake pedal, it quits. It also seems to change intensity when I turn the steering wheel.



If it were a bearing, would it quit when I touch the brake?



When I'm up to speed and get on the brakes the front end shimmies back and forth as if it were bouncing from one side to the other.



Are the 2 problems related?



Help!!! I'm lost.

 

[24vcummins]

Anybody?? Any ideas??

 

[Andy Redmond]

Brake probs. ?



Jack it up, put it on some jackstands, pop the front wheels and look for dragging when you spin the hub/rotor, very light resistance/brake drag is normal.



Maybe a caliper isn't releasing? Have a assistant work the brake pedal, do the pistons retract back from the rotor when the brake pedal is released? Caliper binding on slider pins? It can't float to align itself?



Warp/cracked rotor from worn lining/age etc. ?



Although the hub bearings can make noise and be sloppy, I doubt you would have brake shimmy, unless the bearing has spun in the race etc.



U-joints will click or squeak at slow/all speeds, generally touching the brakes won't help.



My bet is the brakes/braking components, ck. it out and let us know.



Good luck

Andy

 

[#crnxr]

Sounds like the brakes

I think Andy's got it right. I just went through the same symptoms that you describe. When hitting the brakes the steering wheel would vibrate, shimmy and shake back and forth like it was hunting down grooves in the road. I also noticed a rubbing sound that came and went with each rotation of the wheel. I couldn't hear it at higher speeds, but with the window down and driving around town it was noticeable. After getting the front rotors replaced with new calipers/pads the problem has totally gone away.



-Kyle

 

[24vcummins]

Thanks guys. I bought new rotors and brake pads. When I took the right side caliper off, the rubber bushing on the bottom bolt of the caliper (the one the caliper bolt rides in) was actually out of the caliper and hanging on the end of the bolt. This gave it about 1/4" of movement forward and backwards which was making the noise. I replaced the rotors, pads and put the bushing back where she went and no more wobble, no more noise. Oo.



Now, what would make the bushing come out? Lack of lube? Maybe the caliper bolt slide would grab on the rubber bushing because of lack of lube. When the caliper tried to work side to side the bolt would grab the bushing and pull it out little by little? Does that sound right?

 

[Andy Redmond]

Yes, yes and yes! I like the HD Neverseize that EGR (Got Brakes) sells for pin/slider lubricant. Now that you are the brake expert, can you do a few brake jobs for me this week, so I can sip coffee and watch?



Glad you found your prob. Happy Ramming.

 

[24vcummins]

Sure Andy, if you're willing to drive from Texas to Alabama for a brake job.



You know, it really wasn't that bad. I'd been doing some research on here about removing the front hubs and problems with the sealed wheel bearings seperating. Using a slide puller and people making their own pullers. It kind of had me worried. I wound up using a regular 3 jaw puller like you'd buy at Autozone for about $20 bucks. I did the right side first, went slow and it took about 2 hours. Did the left side in about an hour and 15 minutes. No problem.