2nd Gen Non-Engine/Transmission Wheel Bearing Noise?

[Berrigan]

What do you all think. After making a turn and straightening out I can hear a noise that seems to follow wheel speed. Its a noise not a feeling in the steering wheel. It goes away about a hundred feet after straightening out the steering wheel. Its like a quiet rumble that comes and goes with each tire rotation. Sounds like its coming from the front of truck and then goes away after going straight. You cant hear it with ac on or radio on. Wheel bearing temps feel the same on both sides, I raised front end and spun both wheels no noise or play that I could feel. CVs and u-joints all feel tight. Drivers wheel requires more effort to turn but I think the brake is dragging a little more on that side. Any Ideas would be a great help. Bill



Its a 4wd so it has the disposable non servicable front wheel bearings, 90k on the clock.

 

[Kawi600]

If you want to rule out the bearing unit, jack up the truck and try to rock the suspected wheel back and forth. There should be no play in the bearing.

To replace it, remove the wheel, brake caliper and 3 of the 4 steering knuckle bolts (theyre 14mm 12pt) and loosen the fourth. Put a socket extension or something between the fourth stud and something solid on the axle, like the base of the shock mount or the eccentric washer. start up the truck and turn the wheel so it compresses against the hub and pushes it out of the knuckle. The axle nut is left on for last so the hub doesnt split apart.

each one of those wheel hubs is a ~250$ part so you want to be careful you dont split a good one open.

 

[JFaughn]

Sounds like bad u-joints , look for rust color around the seals , then with the wheel off the ground , see if you can get a feel for lose , turn wheel all the way in both directions and look and fell .

 

[Berrigan]

Thanks for the replies. I think its the u joints by the spindle. Bill

 

[San Felipe Bob]

U-Joints

My u-joints made the same sound.

They had very little play in them yet still made noise.



You mentioned 1 of your calipers might be dragging.

Check these out SanFelipeBob.com .



They help keep the caliper pins from corroding and getting gummed up and sticky.



SFB