Front End Problem

[du510]

- 1994 B4000
- D35 front end
- 4x4
- Manual hubs
- all front ujoints less than a year old
- ball joints less than a year old
- 33x12.5" mud tires

So I am driving along tonight at normal speed, about 35 mph, on a normal road. Without cause (ie: no bumps or anything) a loud rubbing noise starts from my front end. I pull over immediately to check it out.

I have recently installed the suspension, so my first thought it something came loose. But I checked everything while on the side of the road & everything was tight.

I made sure 4x was disengaged & the hubs unlocked - they were. It gets louder/softer dependent upon the speed, and its coming from the front end. So the only thing I can think of are the wheel bearings. Does this make sense? I odnt know much about how they act when they go out, but I thought they squealed. No squealing here - its a rubbing/humming.

What are your thoughts on what it could be?

 

[du510]

Two points to add:

- It seems to have come a bit out of alignment; the camber is now a little like /---\. I am running 6" dropbrackets with 6" springs & 2" spacers. The camber is not bad though, at all.

- It is running beautifully otherwise. It tracks straight, turns easily. Handles bumps like a charm without any clunks or anything.

 

[4x4junkie]

Have you jacked it up and see if the bearings are loose? (or anything else for that matter)?

 

[Hahnsb2]

Have you jacked it up and see if the bearings are loose? (or anything else for that matter)?

Agreed, Ive had them come loose and not effect handling, though they didn't make noise

 

[du510]

Have you jacked it up and see if the bearings are loose? (or anything else for that matter)?

Yea I lifted & checked last night. The only thing that was loose was the passenger side wheel bearing, tested by lifting it then rocking the tire at 6 & 12 oclock. I tightened the nuts on the outside though, and it no longer rocks. The noise is still there...

Obviously "something" more is loose, but I can't find it.

 

[97BlackBetty]

Ive had that noise come from the breaks, the caliper bolts were loose. The caliper was moving around and was doing it more so a lower speeds and no breaking. Its happened to me twice, its defiantley not happening a third time though.

 

[du510]

Ive had that noise come from the breaks, the caliper bolts were loose. The caliper was moving around and was doing it more so a lower speeds and no breaking. Its happened to me twice, its defiantley not happening a third time though.

Yea it seems to be louder at lower speed. Braking seems fine though. Same way when it happened to you?

 

[du510]

Bump, thanks!

 

[reno]

Well if it is\was the brakes, when you press on the pedal, it should stop (noise) or get louder.

If it is a 4X4, could be an inner bearing or a spindle.

 

[du510]

Yea its a 4x4. I figure rather than try to deduce & guess/check myself, Ill let the shop do it for me.

If it is an inner bearing or spindle, do you figure its safe to drive on, about 40 miles or so? Highway speed...