Archived Front Hub clicking after plowing snow & more snow coming

[DJChaffin]

We got 74" of snow last week and after a few days of hard (but not abusive) plowing the right front hub now clicks when in 4hi or 4low and I change directions. When I shift from forward to reverse it makes a few clicks then the noise stops as I get going, does the same when I shift from reverse to forward.

Does this sound like something major, or can I get by for awhile before I dig into it? They are predicting another 8" to 12" of snow tonight so I'll need to plow tomorrow but I don't want to destroy my hubs.

Any help, suggestions (other than moving to Florida) would be appreciated.

I just had my mechanic (not my local 5 star dealer) check my u-joints and wheel bearings and he said everything seemed tight.

Thanks,

Deej,

'99 2500 24V CTD Auto Quad Cab Short bed 4x4 leveler kit (front +1. 5") Western 7. 5' Ultra-Mount plow

 

[jmeehan]

I was going to suggest wheel bearings but you had them checked.

Maybe something in the front suspension? Does it do it all the time or only when the plow is on the truck? How long has the leveling kit been on the truck? Is this the first time you've plowed since it's been installed?

Maybe something in the front diff is making the noise and the noise is transmitted to the axle.

Just some ideas, and that's all I have for now.

 

[DJChaffin]

The leveling kit has been on for over a year, and I plowed all last winter with the current setup with no problems. Today is the first day I've had the plow off since the noise started so I'll check it without the plow to see if it still clicks. Thanks for the suggestion.

To me it sounds more like plastic than metal, and I think I heard somewhere that the auto hub lock mechanism uses plastic parts. Right now that's what I think it may be.

 

[mesterline]

front hub click

NO HARM IS DONE BY DRIVING LIKE THIS

TO GET RID OF THE NOISE YOU MUST LUBRICATE

THE FACE OF THE AXLE FLANGE THAT TOUCHES THE

HUB BEARING SURFACE,BY REMOVING THE OUTER AXLE

NUTS YOU MAY BE ABLE TO GET SOME LUBRICATION IN

BETWEEN THE SURFACES YOU MAY HAVE TO TEAR IT

APART COMPLETELY & LUBE THE AXLE SPLINES & FLANGE

SURFACES WITH A GOOD SPLINE GREASE (THE STRINGY TYPE)

THIS SHOULD GET RID OF YOUR NOISE

THE NOISE IS CAUSED BY THE SMALL AMOUNT OF PLAY IN

THE SPLINES ON THE AXLE TO THE HUB SPLINES

DON'T BOTHER TO TRY TO REPLACE AXLES & HUBS BECAUSE

THAT WONT FIX IT !! IT MUST BE LUBED WITH HEAVY DUTY

SPLINE GREASE. BY REMOVEING THE OUTER AXLE NUT & PUSHING

THE AXLE IN YOU MAY BE ABLE TO GET IN ENOUGH GREASE

ON THE FACE TO GET RID OF THE NOISE





MIKE E.

P. S. IF YOUR U-JOINTS ARE GOOD PLOW WITH CONFIDENCE

FIX THE NOISE LATER !!!!

 

[DJChaffin]

THanks so much for the help.

I've been a TDR member for over a year and (thankfully) this is the first time I've had a problem.



Thanksagain! Deej