Grinding sound at low speeds from front end

[VolsFan]

Thanks I’ll have to check that out. Ironically my steering/handling is great, probably better than any dodge truck I’ve driven. I really feel like with the miles I’ve put on it that if it was trans/transfer case/front rear related it would have grenaded by now, so may be the u joints. I got the spicer sealed joints too

 

[seafish]

Hmmm...looks like HF may be out of them but Amazon still has one with a laser pointer (useful for accurately checking the caps) for $30 delivered with Prime.

Etekcity Lasergrip 1080 Non-Contact Digital Laser Infrared Thermometer Temperature Gun

 

[VolsFan]

Great thanks! Just ordered it from amazon. Truck sits through the week in my garage, I’m on the road in a company truck. I’ll mess with it this Friday. Want to get this taken care before the fall when I use the truck a lot .
I also just engaged and disengaged 4wd and it’s fine, no strange noises goes in and out perfect

 

[Ozymandias]

When changing the wheel bearings, did you put back on the brake shields or left them away?
Are you dead sure you put everything back together as it was, no washer in a different position, every bolt with the torque per the manual?
Did you change the axle ball joints to?

The point i go to is - the axle shaft has very little endplay to the axle tube itself, if something on the outer (knuckle) assembly is not in spec, the axle shaft will grind the face of the axle tube.
I had that once with a failed (non stock) balljoint on my truck.

Forget about your tires and the Dimensions of them, that doesn't matter.

 

[VolsFan]

I forgot to re-install the drivers side brake shield, just left it off. Torqued everything to spec. I have not changed the ball joints. I’m sure it’s coincidence but only started having this problem after the tires. Hoping to get it knocked out this weekend. Thanks

 

[Ozymandias]

Now I'm pretty sure about that, please do a test.

Check the area shown in the picture.
Mine touched there, with the brake shield missing your shaft moved inward 1/16.

If you want, use some oil on that gap to test if your noise disappears.
Mine did.

 

[VolsFan]

Now I'm pretty sure about that, please do a test.

Check the area shown in the picture.
Mine touched there, with the brake shield missing your shaft moved inward 1/16.

View attachment 123202

If you want, use some oil on that gap to test if your noise disappears.
Mine did.

Well that was definitely the problem. Got back home and tore it down again, this time installing the dust shield. I painted it up before hand. No more grinding noises. Thanks Ozymandias

 

[Ozymandias]

Well that was definitely the problem. Got back home and tore it down again, this time installing the dust shield. I painted it up before hand. No more grinding noises. Thanks Ozymandias

Awesome, good to hear problem solved.
What a difference such thin piece of sheet metal can make.

 

[KAltizer]

Well that was definitely the problem. Got back home and tore it down again, this time installing the dust shield. I painted it up before hand. No more grinding noises. Thanks Ozymandias

I know I am way late to this party but I have the exact same truck and I just installed 20" factory rims off a 2017 and installed General X3 what my mechanic did was used beads as balance control. I believe they are the same beads used in the big transfer trucks, there is a formula to use in order to figure out how much to put in the tire, I get just a tad imbalance at high freeway speeds but below 75mph nothing.