Rattle from front left

[Turbo1Ton]

I have a rattle coming from the front left wheel area of the truck. It sounds very much like something rattling inside of the hubcap(kind of a pebble in a plastic container sound). Yes, I have pulled the hubcap and checked things out under there and even driven with it off, still have the noise.



Some additional information for you. It is not a consistent noise, sometimes its there and sometimes its not. It seems to be much worse after a long trip. Going over bumps can make it seem worse. It will happen independant of braking, throttle, or clutch. I have checked everything I can think of that might be loose and causing a rattle, control arm bushings, shock, brake caliper, dust shield, tie rod ends.



Anyone else out there with an early 3rd gen noticed anything like this from thier rig? After spending tons of money on other vehicles throwing parts at them to fix unknown issues, I'm usually a drive it until it breaks then you can find it kind of guy, but if this is with the wheel or something, that could make a serious mess.



Thanks,



Jeff

 

[dan.poitras]

Check your axle u-joint

 

[Turbo1Ton]

Thanks for the reply. After reading through a few more threads yesterday I realized that I had yet to look at that. I will examine that this weekend and see what I can find out.



Thanks,



Jeff

 

[ddutil]

Wheel bearing? It's very common... Dan

 

[Prairie Dog]

At 44k I had a sway bar end link fail on that side and cause a similar rattle. It was really strange ~ nothing else, not even the ball joints were loose.

 

[Turbo1Ton]

Well, I got out there and checked the axle u-joint. It's shot. Guess I get to learn how to do that now! :{



Are there any special tools I'm gonna need?



Jeff