Noise from front axle when hubs unlocked (1 Viewer)

[Bryan062087]

Front End Noise and 4x4 Question - Ford Truck Enthusiasts Forums

Found this, although its about some1's issue with their ford truck, i think it could be relevant, if anyone cares to read.

Originally Posted by Krewat View Post
"Does the noise go away when you put it in 4x4, or manually lock the hubs?
Sounds like the "Inner spindle bearing" or the needle bearing where the axle stub rides when the hubs are UNLOCKED. It really sounds like the needle bearing inside the inner-diameter of the wheel bearing, where the axle stub rides.This needle bearing is moving in relation to the axle stub when the hubs are UNLOCKED.

Locking the hubs makes the axle stub rotate with the wheel bearing, so there's no noise."
"With the unitized wheel bearing, the inside diameter of the wheel bearing spins with the wheel. The needle bearing is inside the wheel bearing, hence the needle bearing spins with the wheel.

If the hubs are UNLOCKED, the axle doesn't move, or at least, not as much as the wheel, so when the hubs are UNLOCKED, the needle bearing is moving in relation to the axle. If the hubs are LOCKED, both the axle AND THE NEEDLE BEARING rotate at the same time. Hence, if the hubs are UNLOCKED and it makes noise, and doesn't when they are LOCKED, it's the needle bearing."

Do LC's have the equivalent bearing this guy is talking about?

 

[Cruiserdrew]

Front End Noise and 4x4 Question - Ford Truck Enthusiasts Forums

Found this, although its about some1's issue with their ford truck, i think it could be relevant, if anyone cares to read.

Originally Posted by Krewat View Post
"Does the noise go away when you put it in 4x4, or manually lock the hubs?
Sounds like the "Inner spindle bearing" or the needle bearing where the axle stub rides when the hubs are UNLOCKED. It really sounds like the needle bearing inside the inner-diameter of the wheel bearing, where the axle stub rides.This needle bearing is moving in relation to the axle stub when the hubs are UNLOCKED.

Locking the hubs makes the axle stub rotate with the wheel bearing, so there's no noise."
"With the unitized wheel bearing, the inside diameter of the wheel bearing spins with the wheel. The needle bearing is inside the wheel bearing, hence the needle bearing spins with the wheel.

If the hubs are UNLOCKED, the axle doesn't move, or at least, not as much as the wheel, so when the hubs are UNLOCKED, the needle bearing is moving in relation to the axle. If the hubs are LOCKED, both the axle AND THE NEEDLE BEARING rotate at the same time. Hence, if the hubs are UNLOCKED and it makes noise, and doesn't when they are LOCKED, it's the needle bearing."

Do LC's have the equivalent bearing this guy is talking about?

No unit (sealed) bearings. If you really pulled off the hub bodies and it still made the noise, nothing rotates but the wheelbearings. It has to be there or in the transmission. I assume it doesn't change with braking?

Did it do this before you swapped transmissions?

Can you localize it to one side or the other?

 

[2mbb]

I don't think the LC has the same bearings as described above. The outer axle shaft is suppored by a bushing inside the spindle. With the hubs unlocked and the axle shaft not rotating, there is no relative movement between the axle and the bushing.

when you removed your wheel hubs, how much did you remove?

 

[Bryan062087]

I removed the entire locking hub on each side.

Its not the transmission, It did it b4 the swap and if I put the trans in neutral or push the clutch in, it still makes the noise. Doesn't change with braking, but it "winds down" as I decrease speed.

It may seem louder from the passenger side, I'm not sure.

If my truck does not have same set up as that ford, what would explain the fact that locking the hub eliminates the noise?

 

[GM60]

With the truck in 2wd and the hubs disengaged, jack up drivers front wheel and take wheel off.
Remove the brake pads (so the wheel can spin freely) and replace front wheel.
Rotate the wheel as fast as you or someone else can by hand, and listen for the noise.
Do the same on the other side.
Don't forget to put the pads back when you're done!

As Cruiserdrew pointed out earlier, if the transfer is DEFINATELY in 2wd, when you drove with the hubs removed, the only things turning are the wheel bearings.
The large inner wheel bearings may not have been repacked when you had the work done. They could be stuffed.

 

[Bryan062087]

I think it may be the passenger side wheel bearings. I jacked up the truck and spun the right front tire...sounds like there is metal friction.

Do I have to remove the brake caliper and the brake line (spilling brake fluid?) to get to the inner wheel bearing? Is is straightforward process of removing the caliper? Then I guess I need to bleed the brakes after I'm done?

 

[Cruiserdrew]

I think it may be the passenger side wheel bearings. I jacked up the truck and spun the right front tire...sounds like there is metal friction.

Do I have to remove the brake caliper and the brake line (spilling brake fluid?) to get to the inner wheel bearing? Is is straightforward process of removing the caliper? Then I guess I need to bleed the brakes after I'm done?

Yep- you have to take it all apart. Then bleed the brakes once you're done.

Take pictures.

 

[Bryan062087]

Update:

I pulled the passenger side hub/wheel assembly thing. Got the wheel bearings out and they don't look bad at all. Neither the races or the bearings show noticeable wear.

The shaft has 2 areas on it where its discolored/worn a little. But its not rough to touch.

I'll try to get some pictures up. Where do I go from here if the wheel bearings aren't bad..?

 

[nikmaxwell]

Hi,

I am having a similar issue with my Pajero 1994 GLS LWB.

When in unlocked position, I get a chattering/grinding/vibrating sound coming from the axle/tyre/brake area. As soon as I lock the hubs (in 2wd) it goes away. It seems to be coming from the left side only.

It is intermittent and seemingly random when it happens, although it does seem to do it more often when on rougher Tarseal than on Bitumen.

I have completely pulled apart the hub and removed the disc calipers and disc, but can see no evidence of what could be making this sound?

The bearings are fine, there is ample grease inside the housing, I have replaced the brake pads. It has new shocks, new sway bar links and bushes and a new Idler arm. It is a real strange one due to the noise disappearing when I lock the hubs in.

I have AVM Manual Locking Hubs.

Any help much appreciated.

Nik.

 

[Bryan062087]

I replaced the passenger side wheel bearings and it had no effect on the noise that I can tell. Mine is more like a whine than a chatter.

 

[96tacomamma]

I need some help diagnosing a noise. When my hubs are unlocked I get a speed dependent rotational/whinning/whirring/bearing? noise from the front axle area. The noise will "wind down" as you decrease speed.

When I lock the hubs, the noise goes away completely.

To eliminate the hubs as a possible cause for the problem. I removed the front hub faces and clutch mechanism to make sure one side was not locking etc. Then I removed both hubs entirely. I test drove it each time and the noise is still there.

I had the axle repacked last fall by a shop bc my birfs were leaking The noise was there before the axle work and is still there now, obviously. Sometimes it seems like its intermittant. Like one week it will be loud and very noticeable, the next week it won't be as bad.

Any thoughts?

I

 

[96tacomamma]

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[96tacomamma]

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been having the same problem with my 96' Tacoma. Thought it was my breaks at first, pulled off tires and figure scraping noise was from calipers because noise seems to move with the rotation of the wheel. Replaced the driver side cv axle today (it was pretty shot) figured that was it. Noise was still there so dialed it down to passenger side noise and goes away with just the right hub locked. I dunno

 

[Bryan062087]

Hi, I wish I could offer some helpful tips; however, the noise I was experiencing eventually stopped. I do not know what fixed it. Haven't had any issues related to this problem since around the time I created the thread. The noise I experienced was a whine/whirring noise. And I think it was occuring on both driver and passenger sides. Good luck