98 ranger ext. cab grinding in front end.

[rich060685]

I am driving this truck and it grinds horribly all the time. We have checked the hub assembly and it seems fine. Not to sure if a upper ball joint would make this insane grinding noise or not but it does need changed. Was kind of looking at the cv axle but I have read that it would make more noise and issues than just a grinding noise.

Anybody have any other ideas what this could be? It sounds almost as if a shaft is turning in a sleeve metal on metal but cv axle seems fine.

 

[Ruffinit]

You say you've checked the hub assemblies, but have you actually looked at the bearings both inner and outer? I'm assuming since you use it for mud that it's a 4x4? If so is the front end engaged?

 

[rich060685]

You say you've checked the hub assemblies, but have you actually looked at the bearings both inner and outer? I'm assuming since you use it for mud that it's a 4x4? If so is the front end engaged?

Yes the bearings seemed to be a little on the weak side but not bad at all considering the terrain it runs through and the front end is engaged.

 

[Ruffinit]

Try disengaging the 4x4. Once disengaged try jacking the front end up and rotating the wheels by hand. Just spin them and compare to each other. By disengaging them, you'll know whether or not it has anything to do with the xfr case, diff or axles.

 

[rich060685]

Seems to be some stress from the ball joints from the look of things. So far I have changed both bottoms and the grinding has gotten a ton quieter.

Will do the uppers here soon and hopefully it will top totally. I have noticed that the axle on the passenger side has about 1/4" of play in it and seems very loose but i'm not so sure that's an issue or just the way they are...

 

[bulrid8]

Axle ujoint!

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