front axle problems

[94redranger]

I had a grinding noise in my front axle when I stepped on the accelerator and when I let off it the noise went away. Also when I turned corners there was a really bad clunking noise. So I replaced one u joint that had all of its needle bearings gone and checked everything else even pulled the right shaft out and inspected the carrier. Put it back together same noise and same clunking when turning corners. One questionable parts is the slip yolk, I am able to wiggle it around with my hand could that be a problem? Any help is appreciated thanks.

 

[odie1969]

dose it do it all the time or just in 4wd mode?

 

[94redranger]

only when in 4x4. when i lock the hubs in and dont engage the t-case it doesn't make the noise. also when the hubs are unlocked and i engage the t-case it doesn't make the noise.

 

[97fordrunner]

Did this all of the sudden start or has it been getting worse over time?

 

[94redranger]

It was like this when I bought the truck just finally decided to fix it lol.

 

[97BlackBetty]

Sounds like the hubs to me. Or at least that is what one set I had did. The other set kinda disapeared. (looks around cautiously)

 

[94redranger]

what would cause that noise/binding inside the hubs? what broken /worn out parts should I look for when I take them apart?

 

[4x4junkie]

I would think it should become obvious upon disassembly (metal shavings, broken gear teeth, broken/missing clips, etc.). Check that the needle bearing in the back of the spindle isn't trashed.

Also, if one u-joint was bad, maybe theres another that's bad as well (did you take apart the driverside yet?).

Also the movement in the slipyoke should be minimal, yes (take it apart and see if the splines have worn from lack of grease).

 

[94redranger]

Sorry for not explaining what u-joints i did earlier. I replaced the drivers side joint, pass. side seemed fine nothing loose rotated good. The slip yolk never had a rubber boot on it and there was no grease inside on the splines, however the splines seems fine and it moved in and out freely (it put grease and rubber boot on it during this process). The spindle bearings looked alright they were stiff when turning with my finger but they did move. I guess I'll look at the hubs it's just weird how it only makes a grinding noise when torque is applied.

 

[94redranger]

Ok so I was looking at the front end today and i grabbed on to the pass. side axle shaft (with only the tire and locking hub off, rotor, bearings, spindle still in place) and I was able to move it up and down inside the spindle. Much more that I could with the drivers side axle shaft. Could that excessive play be the cause of the noise? I am sort-of thinking that is the problem because it only makes that noise when torque is applied and the torque would make the shaft bend down and rub hard against the assumed worn spindle bearings. Does anyone know if spindle bearings would account for the clunking when turning in 4x4?

 

[4x4junkie]

Movement in the axle with the hub removed is normal (the hub supports that end of the shaft).

A bad spindle bearing could still be the culprit though, you'll need to pull the spindles off to find out for sure though.

 

[94redranger]

Is it possible that the spindle bearings are worn so bad that there is enough room for them wiggle when torque is applied causing the grinding noise and the steering wheel shake. I mean that they are able to move around so much in their bores that they take the hub and wheel assembly with it making the steering wheel shake. I'll take a look at them tomorrow and see also I took the hubs apart they looked fine and I switched them from wheel to wheel and it made no difference.