Front end clicking???

[mrscullini]

2002 4wd 4.0/5spd with 178k

i've just begun to notice a clicking from the left front wheel when turning right. definitely rotational, frequency increases with speed. searching the threads, it seems it could be hubs or wheel bearing. definitely a clicking and does not sound like the wheel bearings i've heard in the past. still have the oem auto hubs. clicking occurs in 2wd and 4wd, forward and reverse.

any thoughts? if it is hubs, how big of a job is the switch to manual? can anybody tell me what axle is in this vehicle? it is supercab xlt.

thanks.

 

[swynx]

does it pull to the side? had a car with wheel bearings just toasted and it pulled to one side

 

[mrscullini]

no pull. i really doubt it is a bearing. the bearings i've heard would be more of a grinding, this is definitely a clicking.

i plan to pull the wheel this weekend and give a good look. just thought i would post for some insight.

 

[04RangerFX2]

mine did that and all the bearings and a-arms had to be replaced.
and that fixed the problem

 

[Nhaz]

Thats going to have CV joints(Constant Velocity) in the front. CV joints are known for clicking when they get worn. ESPECIALLY when you turn.

 

[mrscullini]

Thats going to have CV joints(Constant Velocity) in the front. CV joints are known for clicking when they get worn. ESPECIALLY when you turn.

i thought i read that these front ends did not have cv joints. on dry pavement in 4wd, it sure doesn't feel like a cv joint. the front end does not like it.

 

[Nhaz]

The newer rangers have CV joints old ones like mine have the Ujoints.

It should have live axles. While there is no power applied to the axles, they spin all the time anyways which means the cv joint will be spinning even if the 4x4 is off.

Pop under and look. If its got a Rubber boot around the axle at both ends. Its a CV joint. Ujoints are exposed for the most part you can see them np.