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!

Add brakes to that list. Easy to check.

Applying the brakes when I get the noise doesn't seem to change it, so I don't *think* that's where it's coming from. Definitely worth a second look though, thanks.

I recently had the same problem. Noise was BEFORE replacing Ball joints. I replaced the Lower Arm Bushings as well. You may wan to check that out to.

Maybe your hubs are locked? I've never heard a grinding from mine but they do make some noise at about that speed if you leave them locked.

I have the ADD hubs.. well, I'm pretty sure. They definitely aren't manual hubs. =)

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.

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.

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?

wow that is a noise alright...

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

Holy grindage. Might check to make shure the add shift fork isnt slipping over.

Hmm, I'm reallly unfamiliar with that system, but it seems like a reasonable cause. I'm thinking about doing the first steps in this 4x4wire articleto lock it down and see if it goes away.. does that make sense?

That should either confirm or deny. Just remember the drive shaft will turn with it bypassed and drive flanges. Goodluck

yeah i would look at the bushings

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.

Awesome, thanks for the insight!

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.

Glad it went away. Youll like man hubs if for no other reason when you tear a boot your not slinging that grease everywere on the trip home.