Grinding noise on front end above 50mph
#1
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Grinding noise on front end above 50mph
I just started getting a grinding/rattling noise from what sounds like the drivers side wheel well area. I just replaced ball joints, TRE's, shocks, and tires and I didn't get the noise until then.
It only happens intermittently when I'm going more than 55mph or so and will stop when I slow down. It sounds kind of like something starts rattling and then grinding a little off and on. I don't feel any vibrations in the body/steering wheel, I can just hear it.
The truck is a '93 4wd 22re 5sp with no lift and everything's stock. From doing searches it seems like the suspects are: wheel bearings, auto locking hub, and CV joints. The thing is, since it only happens at high speeds I'm not sure how to go about figuring out what's wrong. I can go the "replace things till it goes away" route, but would like to at least have an educated guess.
Any thoughts on how to start pinpointing the noise? I'm new to this stuff and could use a few pointers.
Thanks!
It only happens intermittently when I'm going more than 55mph or so and will stop when I slow down. It sounds kind of like something starts rattling and then grinding a little off and on. I don't feel any vibrations in the body/steering wheel, I can just hear it.
The truck is a '93 4wd 22re 5sp with no lift and everything's stock. From doing searches it seems like the suspects are: wheel bearings, auto locking hub, and CV joints. The thing is, since it only happens at high speeds I'm not sure how to go about figuring out what's wrong. I can go the "replace things till it goes away" route, but would like to at least have an educated guess.
Any thoughts on how to start pinpointing the noise? I'm new to this stuff and could use a few pointers.
Thanks!
#3
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#6
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I was thinking, to test if it's the hubs can I just remove the hub and drive around without it and see if I still get the noise? It would be nice to start eliminating things.
@ Liloscar I'll check the bushings too, thanks for the heads up.
#7
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Should be hub flanges. Your cvs are turning all the time. Might need to gease the stub shafts. What tires you put on it? I get tire noise above 60 so look at that as well.
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#8
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My tires are 235/75r15.. so not very different that stock.
I haven't had a chance to dig into it yet, but I did take it out to get a recording of the noise if that helps. It's with my phone, so the quality isn't amazing, but you can definitely hear it. The recording makes it sound much louder than it is, but it's definitely not nice to hear.
http://www.andrewdahlin.com/static/carNoise.wav
ps. can someone let me know if the file loads?
I haven't had a chance to dig into it yet, but I did take it out to get a recording of the noise if that helps. It's with my phone, so the quality isn't amazing, but you can definitely hear it. The recording makes it sound much louder than it is, but it's definitely not nice to hear.
http://www.andrewdahlin.com/static/carNoise.wav
ps. can someone let me know if the file loads?
#9
My tires are 235/75r15.. so not very different that stock.
I haven't had a chance to dig into it yet, but I did take it out to get a recording of the noise if that helps. It's with my phone, so the quality isn't amazing, but you can definitely hear it. The recording makes it sound much louder than it is, but it's definitely not nice to hear.
http://www.andrewdahlin.com/static/carNoise.wav
ps. can someone let me know if the file loads?
I haven't had a chance to dig into it yet, but I did take it out to get a recording of the noise if that helps. It's with my phone, so the quality isn't amazing, but you can definitely hear it. The recording makes it sound much louder than it is, but it's definitely not nice to hear.
http://www.andrewdahlin.com/static/carNoise.wav
ps. can someone let me know if the file loads?
#10
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Yeah, no joke! I'm just going to replace the CV with an reman from Napa and see if I can rebuild the one on there now. Based on the condition of everything else, I'm sure it's orignal. Check out/replace the wheel bearing while i'm in there too.
So on the plus side, I'll hopefully end up with a spare CV
So on the plus side, I'll hopefully end up with a spare CV
#12
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#15
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Pulling the drive flanges off isn't too hard, and will stop everything in the front end from turning, just like unlocking manual hubs. Just make sure you replace the gold bolt and washer before you test drive it so the CV axle doesn't work its way out. Also, don't drive anywhere dusty or for a long time with the flanges off, but it'll be OK for test purposes on dry pavement.
#17
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I had a chance to work on it a bit and the quick update is that the noise seems to have gone away. Unfortunately, I'm not really sure what I did to fix it, so we'll see if it lasts.
I pulled the drivers side hub and re-packed the bearings. I was going to replace them, but they actually looked pretty good so I left them. I also replaced the brake pads while I was in there.
Next I removed the flange on the drivers side so the wheel was free spinning and took it out for a test ride. No noise.. awesome! Then I came home and put the flange back on and took it out for a test drive.. still no noise... bummer. Don't get me wrong, I'm glad it's not grinding but I wish I knew what fixed it.
I don't think it was the brakes and I would be able to tell if it was the bearings. We'll see how it goes this week. I might put manual hubs on there anyway.. I don't use 4wd much and if it ends up being the differential/CV I can just leave them unlocked and fix the problem when I have more time.
I pulled the drivers side hub and re-packed the bearings. I was going to replace them, but they actually looked pretty good so I left them. I also replaced the brake pads while I was in there.
Next I removed the flange on the drivers side so the wheel was free spinning and took it out for a test ride. No noise.. awesome! Then I came home and put the flange back on and took it out for a test drive.. still no noise... bummer. Don't get me wrong, I'm glad it's not grinding but I wish I knew what fixed it.
I don't think it was the brakes and I would be able to tell if it was the bearings. We'll see how it goes this week. I might put manual hubs on there anyway.. I don't use 4wd much and if it ends up being the differential/CV I can just leave them unlocked and fix the problem when I have more time.
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