signs of hub bearing or u-joint failure

[CookJ]

Could either of these fail without evidence or signs of beginning to fail? Currently, I'm not hearing any popping/squealing noises, or see any excessive play/movement in the joints or at the axle hub; nor do I see or feel any hot spots. Besides a catastrophic failure (due to a component defect) does there have to be some physical sign before failure occurs? thanks

 

[SShafranko]

Usually you will feel some type of vibration or shimy at certain speeds but that usually happens after or during the failure. The only way to catch it before it happens is to jack up the front end and check it all periodically. I just replaced my upper and lower balls, u-joints, shocks, and all drive shaft joints wikth greaables. Maintenance is key. Keep everything greased, check it periodically and hope for the best. OHHH and expect early failure with large tires. My friend re-did front end and shaft joints at 28,0000 miles with 36 inchers. Mine lasted about 110,000.

 

[notron46]

I started to get a minor vibration at about 60k. I felt it slightly when accelerating in 2nd. But later on it turned into a washboard type vibration when i was comming to a stop. I checked my u-joints and the center ones felt warmer than the rest. Took it to the dealer and they replaced the drive line from front u-joint to the seal on the rear. My dodge is a 05, 3500, single rear wheel, six speed, 5. 9. Hope this is some help.

 

[rbattelle]

It *might* be possible to detect a failing u-joint by looking for rust that has leaked from the cap onto the cross as a light brown dust.

But normally I just wait until they start making noise. It's amazing how long you can often drive on u-joints that are grinding their needles to dust.

Ryan

 

[jelag]

When the u-joints on the front end of 2 of my trucks failed... it felt like you were in 4WD making a turn on dry pavement... the drag in the u-joint would make it feel like wheel hop...

With the front wheels off the ground, you could spin one side freely that was good and feel the bad side...

At the time we did the joints we pressed apart the bearing housings and cleaned them... re-lubed them and put them back in...

 

[CookJ]

Thanks for the replies guys. I have posted in the past about what to look for and made some checks as you and others have suggested. The sound I'm hearing when driving (when making a turn) isn't a popping noise, but rather a sharp creaking noise. I cannot reproduce this sound with the truck at a stop and working the suspension up and down by hand. I've also had the front end up on a jack (one side at a time) to determine bearing or u-joint movement and haven't seen any. I've also notice the wheels will make 1 to 1-1/2 revolutions when I attempt to spin them. I think I can contribute some of this friction to the brake pads (replaced about 2K miles ago) but would have thought the tires would spin more freely and for more revolutions. Would this be a sign of bearing problems? Thanks

 

[jelag]

Raise the truck up... and turn the steering wheel about 1/2 the distance to the lock first to the left... and spin the left front tire and see if its hard to turn... . than turn the wheel about 1/2 to the right and do the same test with the right front wheel... .

Usually one wheel is impossible to turn by hand when the steering wheels is turned... thats the wheel with the problem...

 

[TCDiesel]

The hub bearing will Hmmmmmmmmmmmm 1st, than start to growl, once the growling begins you need the replace soon, later is generally not good, the axle joint(s) have many different signs, most have been already covered.

 

[CookJ]

Thanks. I will perform these checks and let you know the outcome. james