funny noise from driver side tire/axle....

[onetonride]

iIve been noticing a wierd noise coming from my driver side tire or axle ...not quite sure from which one.... but when i am going about 55 mph and turn slight left on a bend the noise goes away. i thought at first it was the front driveline rattling(not sure why) so i removed it. noise still there. i have recently rotated the tires. Does anyone have any idea on what could be causing the noise? warped rotor, bad brake pads? The tire doesnt get real hot after a 25 mile drive... so i was told the wheel bearing wasnt bad... but any help will be greatly appreciated.

 

[schoelta]

Bad wheel bearings don't necessarily get hot. I have seen many bad bearing make noise, but still run cool. To me that is what your noise sounds like. Take them out, clean them, and make sure there are not pits?

 

[onetonride]

how hard is it to get to the wheel bearings? any special tools required? thanks for posting ill check into it.

 

[suv7734]

What kind of noise? Grinding? Squeaking? etc.

 

[onetonride]

What kind of noise? Grinding? Squeaking? etc.

more like a constant wooping noise...cant really explain it

 

[zpd307]

the bearings are too hard to get to. some only use screwdrivers, but the correct way is to get the 4 prong axle bearing nut socket. first take the calipers off and hang them out of the way. take the locking hubs off, six hex screws, which can be a bear if they havent been off for a while, up heare in the rust belt, i had to drill the head off of only one. then use your new fancy socket to take the axle hut off. and then you can pull the hub off. it is pretty much like taking the front hubs off of the older rwd drive cars. the only difference is the fact that you have the locking hubs to remove. if your rotors are warped or shot, this would be the time to replace them, as they are pressed onto the hubs. if your are that far, take the spindle off and clean/ regrease the inner spindle bearing. if you are that far, this would definately be the time to replace any worn out axle u-joints. i had worn out u-joints and had to take everything off to get to them, so i r&r'd everything while it was apart.

 

[MIDNIGHT RIDER]

The tire won't get hot, but the metal hub could very well get hot if a bearing is bad; but, like already stated, some bad bearings don't get hot until just before the wheel runs off.

I would jack up the suspected wheel and feel for the tell-tale looseness of bearing adjustment that denotes a bearing in need of replacement.

Tearing into a 4x4 hub isn't something you need to mess with by yourself the first time, as an improper job could very well result in a wheel running off of the vehicle.

It is by no means rocket science, but you need to have an experienced 4x4 owner walk you through it the first time.


Any bearings replaced will also need new races.

Usually, the bearing will look fine and the race have deep pits in it.

If the bearing is bad enough that you are actually hearing it, it is bad enough to get HOT and definitely bad enough that you will feel slop in it when you do the above mentioned test.


Your noise could also be simply dips in the tire tread.

I NEVER rotate my tires on this account; rotating only moves the problems around and actually speeds the wear process.


If jacking up the wheel and feeling for slop in the bearing-adjustment doesn't show a problem, then examine the tire-tread for un-even wear.

 

[Agnem]

Any noise changes that happen on a curve is almost always the bearings, regardless of what it sounds like. They are the only component that can alllow the wheel to shift it's position so that the brakes can rub a different way. Take their advice. I had a squeel develope early in the day one weekend, and by late that night I was in a parking lot changing out bearings and races. Not a fun job with 10,000 misquito's knawing on you in 90 degree heat, and your 10,000 candlepower night sun is the only light for 10 square miles!

 

[onetonride]

Any noise changes that happen on a curve is almost always the bearings, regardless of what it sounds like. They are the only component that can alllow the wheel to shift it's position so that the brakes can rub a different way. Take their advice. I had a squeel develope early in the day one weekend, and by late that night I was in a parking lot changing out bearings and races. Not a fun job with 10,000 misquito's knawing on you in 90 degree heat, and your 10,000 candlepower night sun is the only light for 10 square miles!

thanks Mel and everyone for their input.... i will put new wheel bearings on this weekend.. One thing... Any special tools i need to get the job done?

 

[zpd307]

like i said before, get a 4 prong dana 60 socket to take the axle nuts off. hex head wrenches to get the locking hubs off. c-clip pliers. the dana socket is the only specialized tool you would need.