2nd Gen Non-Engine/Transmission grinding rumble noise in front end, where to look?

[telliott]

I can only hear it at 60+ MPH. It is a little hard to tell exactly where it is coming from with the roadnoise and exhaust drone but i'm pretty sure it is somewhere in the front end.



It almost sounds like i'm driving around with hugh mud boggers or something. I can also feel a little vibration in the floorboard. Besides that, it seems to drive and handle as it always has. its worse when i'm going straight. On a curve in the highway, it goes away, or atleast i cant hear it anymore. Does it in both 5th and 6th gear, as well as neutral. Also still does it clutch in or out. I think that eliminates the transmission. Gonna jack up the front end tomorrow and do some wiggiling. Thinking maybe wheel bearing or U-joint? Anything else i should be looking for?

 

[TBartlett1]

Sounds like a wheelbearing.

Drive down a smooth road and swerve left to right if you can hear the noise changing intensity as you swerve it is most definitely a wheel bearing.



Tim

 

[telliott]

I jacked up the front and i definitly have play in the passenger side. but only top to bottom play. Its obvious i need ball joints. However, i'm not convinced thats what is making the noise. Could ball joints cause a vibration/noise at high speeds? or do i have multiple problems going on?

 

[Extreme1]

Could ball joints cause a vibration/noise at high speeds?

They can if the ball joints are loose enough. The u-joint doesn't allow for the centerlines to be off which could make a vibration.

 

[Joseph Donnelly]

Check the hub bearings (4x4) or wheel bearings (4x2) in addition to the ball joints for play. I suspect the hub bearings are causing the noise.

 

[SKuyper]

In addition to the possibilty of your hub bearings going away. . check your center carrier bearing in the driveshaft... mine made a noise like I had huge mud tires when it was starting to take a hike. . and it didnt make any difference whether under power or coasting. and the sound can transmit to other areas. Based on your first post, I'd look at the hub bearings first & very close. . once the cage starts going away in the bearing, they don't take long to grenade.

 

[Cummins Thunder]

My first thought was wheel bearings.

Check the front drive shaft U joints.

 

[telliott]

the hub bearings dont seem to have any play in them, but they do sound a little dry when turning them by hand. Does this mean they are on the way out?