Are these noisy rear wheel bearings bad?

[BobH]

I started with a simple task for my 1997 Ranger 2.3L: rotating tires. Then things started going downhill.

First, I found that one brake drum was heavily scored, even though the brake shoe material was not worn off. I'll have to deal with the brakes.

Next up: the wheel bearings, or maybe axles, or maybe nothing.

If I turn the hubs by hand, I hear noise that seems louder than normal, making me think the wheel bearings are bad. On the other hand, while driving I've never noticed the symptoms of bad bearings that I've read about: noise when turning, etc.

I have posted videos of the bearings at https://www.youtube.com/shorts/Mz78XnRZAGo and https://www.youtube.com/shorts/f3c0DFJ5jH8 . If you have some experience with these, please click on the links and tell me what you think.

 

[Bronco ii Man]

If you grab your axle doe it have excessive play in an up and down motion?

 

[Curious Hound]

That sounds like gear mesh noise. You should check the ring and pinion in the differential. See if you have up and down or side to side play in your pinion shaft. Look for metal shavings in the differential oil.

 

[Uncle Gump]

I think what youre hearing is the spider gears on the axle side gear... sound is traveling through the axle.

 

[BobH]

If you grab your axle doe it have excessive play in an up and down motion?

If I wiggle the hub up and down or toward and away from the differential, there's a little bit of play -- enough to make a little clunk -- but not what I'd guess is excessive for a 25-year-old vehicle. If I wiggle the hub sideways, there's almost no play.

 

[Eddo Rogue]

Your wheel cylinder might have been sticking, causing the drum wear. I'd check/rebuild/replace the wheel cylinders. They're cheap and easy, like my women.

 

[pjtoledo]

not wheel bearing. as stated it's normal differential noise. they aren't loaded and can bounce around and give you some false chatter.
both axles make the same sound and it's a steady repeating sound.
wheel bearings are more of a random sound, usually a rumbling or growl.

put the wheels back on and rotate the wheel slowly keeping your fingers lightly touching the tread. you'll be able to feel a bad bearing.

no wheel does not put a load on the bearing

 

[Curious Hound]

Play in and out (toward and away from differential) is normal. That is a function of how a c-clip axle is assembled.

If I wiggle the hub up and down or toward and away from the differential, there's a little bit of play -- enough to make a little clunk -- but not what I'd guess is excessive for a 25-year-old vehicle. If I wiggle the hub sideways, there's almost no play.

 

[pjtoledo]

If I wiggle the hub up and down or toward and away from the differential, there's a little bit of play -- enough to make a little clunk -- but not what I'd guess is excessive for a 25-year-old vehicle. If I wiggle the hub sideways, there's almost no play.

in and out can be quite a bit, normal.

and Eric can type faster than me.

 

[Bronco ii Man]

Should be a little bit! Does sound a lot like gear mesh! Check diff fluid be my next step

 

[BobH]

Thanks, guys. After listening more closely, I now think the noise is coming from the differential. More later if I get that far!