What else sounds like wheel bearing noise? (1 Viewer)

[Jerry Attric]

2000 Tacoma, all stock with automatic hub four wheel drive. Turning left there was a fairly loud noise from the right front. Sounded just like a wheel bearing. Tore it down and replaced with a new OEM part. Didn’t want to after I had it torn down because the original still felt tight but the symptoms seemed obvious enough and it had 190k. Now it’s still doing it. I rebooted that CV shaft and and it looked great. Tight and polished shiny. No rust or signs of trash inside. Also installed new ball joints while I was there.

Is there something in the differential that could do this? I can’t see how it would be under any extra load by turning but the noise is directly proportional to lateral force while turning.

Have done a few wheel bearings already. I tried to do this one right, pressing only on the outer race. Made a tool out of the original bearing by grinding down the O.D. to have a perfect fit. Maybe I put it in backwards?

 

[gnob]

jack up that side, turn the wheel while feeling for vibration in the coil spring.

 

[Jerry Attric]

I’ll try that. What will it tell me? It’s silent until side loaded by taking a curve and gets louder the harder the steering is turned and faster you go.

I’m actually more concerned about the grinding now that I opened it up. I expected rust inside like every 4x4 that I’ve taken through deep water but it was pristine.

Probably going to change the diff lube and look for metal next.

 

[gnob]

it'll tell you if it's the wheel bearing.
you certain it's not the the rear?

 

[Jerry Attric]

It sure sounds like it. It’s loud enough to tell it’s on the right without doubt. More so with the rear being so far back for such a little pickup. Extended cab.

I put on new front brakes and no change. OEM Brembo rotors and Akebono pads. The hub runout is spot on on the driver’s side and .001 on the passenger side. As close to perfect as I’ve seen. They still had some life in them but I wanted to rule it out since I already had the parts.

This little pickup has been unbelievably problem free until this so I can’t really complain. Gonna try to keep it going for many more years.