2nd Gen Non-Engine/Transmission Noise coming from front end?

[DBeeman]

I noticed a noise today, sounds like it is coming from the front end. Sounds almost like a clatter, duller than the old cards in spokes. Noise is now accompanied by a squeal, sounds almost like metal on metal. Sound ceases when I put truck into 4WD. Looking for any ideas, I crawled under with a good light, and I can find nothing out of the ordinary, and of course I can't pinpoint exactly where the noise is coming from. I had the brakes, and the upper and lower ball joints replaced back in August, needs a new steering gear box, as this one is loose, and they said it can't be adjusted, other than that?? I checked the oil in the front and rear diffs, and I checked my U joints, and no play in any of them. Truck has 92K.



Dave



Posted this over in Engine and transmission too, as I am just not sure.

 

[rotohead]

Hub bearings

 

[DBeeman]

Thank you, I was afraid it was the transfer case or transmission.

 

[DBeeman]

Why would the sound go away when I put it in 4wd?

 

[DBeeman]

Took it to 3 different shops, first one was my front end shop, they verified the bearings and U-joints were good, second shop was up front and admitted it was beyond their scope of repair, third shop, guy drove it, got underneath it, and then told me it was the front drive shaft. We'll see, he seemed pretty confident, and said he had seen it before.

Dave

 

[JCyrbok]

Why would the sound go away when I put it in 4wd?

maybe with the different load on the bearing in 4x4 that could change the sound?



J-

 

[rotohead]

Hub bearings

Same situation I had in my truck four years ago. The load imposed on the hub bearings in 4x4 make it change. Your situation could be different. A similar thing can occur with the drive lines, ujoints, etc. You should consider the fact that everyones truck and the analysis coming from shops are based mostly on past experiences. That's all I was passing on to you. I wish you luck. It's a pain to pinpoint these type of failures before it strands you.

 

[Joe Mc]

Dave,

When chasing a similar noise years ago on mine I unbolted and removed the front drive shaft = removing it from the possibility. Costs nothing but a little time. Mine ended up being the hub bearings. Got replacements at NAPA = Made in USA.

 

[DieselDoghouse]

Me confused too… If its front drive shaft why the noise when it SHOULD be sitting still?? If the funct. were reversed (noises in 4WD) then I would agree - CV joint with the squeal provided by the center(carrier) bearing in the assembly. I'd still wonder about front hubs…

 

[DIESELWRKS]

yes the front shaft can make this sound when driving since the shaft is always spinning. you can remove the shaft to no 100% if its shaft related or not. you should be able to take the wheel off and feel the hub and hear it. all the hubs that have went bad on mine you can feel and hear that they were bad when checking by hand.

 

[DBeeman]

I appreciate all of the replies, truck is still in the shop, waiting on a front drive shaft, holiday really put a crimp in my style. Hopefully I will have my truck back today.

 

[DBeeman]

Front drive shaft fixed it! Thanks again guys.