Help, Strange groan from front end

[mdooling440]

I have a strange noise that occurs under occasional slow deceleration also sometimes when I engage the clutch on take off , now it occasionally does it even when driving at low speeds 5-15 kph. The only way to stop the noise is to depress the clutch and coast for a second or two then it goes away .
It sounds like a very loud groan and it sounds like it is coming from the font drivers side wheel or there abouts. I have even driven with my head out the window but still can't pinpoint what it is.
swivel hubs have been rebuilt but I was told the bearings where fine so they did not get replaced.
2000 k's later the problem still remains. It is only intermittent when it happens.
I have since stripped the swivel hub and repacked the bearings which did seem to be in good shape.
I can drive the vehicle around all day long at speed 100kph plus without any noise or vibrations.
Im stuck and can not find any info that sound similar.I will try to record the sound later and attach it to this thread

 

[SmokingRocks]

make model, year mods all help please post them.

that being said crush sleeve in the front diff springs to mind.

 

[mdooling440]

Thanks for the reply. 1995 80 series RV 3" lift 31" tyres 4.5 petrol/lpg No other mods.
As stated it happens mostly under deceleration 20kph or less and on take off but more on deceleration depressing the clutch makes it go away.
Cheers

 

[SmokingRocks]

so you have an 80 series with a 1FZ-FE with a clutch? I don't know the transmission 1st hand, but the sound you are hearing is in the transfer case or the front diff. It's not an uncommon sound in FJ80's

 

[mdooling440]

Cheers , standard 5 speed manual .it sounds like it is from the front of the car but it is hard to tell

 

[BigAxeJack]

When you repacked the hub did you remove the spindle? There is a brass bushing on the inside of the spindle that must be packed with grease or it can produce a "growling" sound similar to what you describe. I'm no expert, but that's my 2 cents. Good luck.

 

[mdooling440]

Thanks everyone . the only thing I didn't think to check is the brass bushing on the spindle . I will check that when I get home and let you know the result.

 

[Dave 2000]

Brake pads sticking in the calliper? After awhile they get 'polished', this can often make the noise you mention, the noise is akin to running your pressed palm over a polished surface? Often after driving and braking hard a few times the 'glaze' gets burnt off and the noise disappears, only a guess but is mega common on small light vehicles where the rear brakes never do any work, the moan and groan and the handbrake does not work to great. Drive around awhile and lifting the brake lever making the brakes heat up and the noise goes away and the handbrake is good again, perhaps a possibility? Another common moan comes from the needle bearing starting to seize in the prop shafts, this eventually turns into a squeal as the bearings start to break up, just throwing this out as things I have come across in the past.

regards

Dave

 

[BILT4ME]

I'm guessing Universal joint on the front drive shaft. Very frequently they can be heard when first put under load or at lower RPM. Then when they get faster the frequency goes up so we can't hear it anymore. Check your U-Joints and slip-yoke. As always, do it with the drive line UNLOADED. Blocked, Chocked, and in neutral.

 

[ewillis]

It sounds like a very loud groan and it sounds like it is coming from the front

Interesting...I just get the regular groan in the front, but when in the rear, I tend to get the super loud ones!

 

[SmokingRocks]

ahah haha

 

[Dave 2000]

Interesting...I just get the regular groan in the front, but when in the rear, I tend to get the super loud ones!

Unusual managing to get the wife sitting in the back, how did you manage that?

regards

Dave

 

[mdooling440]

Thanks guys
so after not having time to check the spindle yet .today it went to extremes even at 50kph .It did it on and off but then really bad to the point of stopping and getting a tow truck .it was a great opportunity to record what it sounds like when it happens . Looks like im off rd for a bit . So im going to replace all my uni's while I figure it out ,just to rule another thing out .

 

[mdooling440]

Here is the file . have a listen and tell me what you think.
http://www.megafileupload.com/18sK/groan_noise.mp3

 

[mdooling440]

Here is another link to the groan noise . the first one didn't work till the third click ,sorry
http://www.filehosting.org/file/details/488370/groan noise.mp3

 

[fzj80man]

Hi Mate.
Did you ever work out the problem? .. Believe it or not My 93 FZJ80 has just started doing the same thing ...
Unfortunately , your sound files don't seem to exist anymore.
My " groan " sounds like something rubbing on a tire ...or a belt slipping on a seized pulley. Like your issue, it just seems to come and go of its own volition.
On one occasion today , It seemed to come on when i hit a slight bump and then disappeared when i depressed the clutch ...same as yours.
If you're still looking here , I'd love to know if you ever discovered/repaired the cause.