1990 Toyota 4runner 4X4 22RE

I have a pretty constant grinding noise coming from my right front wheel area, the grinding seems to go away when taking left turns and when 4wheel drive is on. When turning in gravel in 4wheel, even a mild turn it feels like a tire is going to come off lol. I just had the left front axle assembly replaced a few months ago but it had a torn boot for awhile. I checked the boots the other day and they were good on the right side. I recently had wheel bearings done on both front and shocks replaced due to the deterioration of the bushings which ground away at the shock stud which i thought was the sound but its still there. Any would be appreciated! Thanks!!

 

Jack it up, turn the wheel, report.
If the bearings were overtightened, they can fail.

 

Do you have manuel hubs? If so you may have blown a hub I know it sounds stupid but even when your manuel hubs aren't locked they can make noise and stuff happend on my old 88 a few times and it was always a blown hub assembly if you don't have manuel hubs sorry for not helping haha.

 

Alright ill jack it up tommorrow and see what i can see, whats the 'test' for bearing failure? try to rock the wheel? (thats what it did when the bearings were gone about an inch of movement).

No I dont have Manual hubs, thanks anyways.

I just got back from a drive and it goes away in 4wheel and when its been just in 4wheel there a much less occurance of the noise.


Thanks dcg9381 and adh9796 for your responses.

 

i wonder if its the spindle bearing....

 

i also replaced the rear u joint lately, seems like im rebuilding this 4r from the ground up. Hopefully there will be somewhat of an end someday...


...unlikely

 

Lifted it up, axle boots are good and wheels are solid. How could I tell if the spindle bearing (no idea what it is) is gone?

 

You check the brakes? As dumb as it sounds I had a vehicle with worn brakes that only made the nosie when I made a turn.

 

Yah I looked at them but the brakes were all done like two months ago, calipers, pads, everything. Thanks for the suggestion.

It seems to really be affected by the use of 4wheel drive in that it goes away when in 4. Hopefully someone may have had this problem and fixed it.

 

Its probably the wheel or spindle bearings then, get it checked asap.

 

I had a noise simmaler to what you're describing. I had my spindle bushings replaced and it didn't do anything I put lock out hubs on and its gone. Let me know If this solves your problem. Or if you find a solution

 

I just did the CV axle on the left front of my 90 4runner. I have a grinding/pissed off rubbing sound coming from my left front end. I replaced the wheel bearings, and it didn't go away.

I would bet its the spindle bushings as well. I'm replacing mine on thursday with a needle bearing and thrust washer. I'll let ya know how it goes.

btw if you do it yourself, be aware I had to order the parts from Toyota dealership and they probably wont find the part numbers. I had to come here to the spindle bushing replacement thread written up by (bob?) to get the part numbers!