hey guys. i have just started hearing a noise in my front end but i cant pinpoin what it is. everytime i hit a bump i hear a grinding noise from the front left wheel. dont see anything rubbing . no excessive brake dust. so i cant figure out what it is.

 

could be a bearing, should pull that side apart when you can and take a look.

 

Is it a 4x4 with auto hubs? if so then look there. I hate auto hubs!

 

wouldnt the bearing be a constant noise and not just when i hit bumps? and the hubs are manual.

 

Describe going over bumps .. slow speed such as turning in and out of uneven surfaces such as driveways?
Or any bump going straight down the highway?

 

i went through this about 4 months ago. turns out the 'grinding' was the downpipe contacting the firewall when in a left turn (didnt do it turning right). it sounded identical to grinding. took it apart, bent the crap out of the firewall some more, and voila... no more noise!

funny story sort of related... while i was in the process of tracking down the grinding i found much to my dismay that the driver side leaf spring center pin was literally worn in half and not holding anything together and the drivers side front axle was moved forward by about 3/4" scared the **** outta me! i quickly fixed that.

-cutts-

 

I do not notice the noise when turning. just hitting a byump like a pot hole or a manhole cover. its a terrible noise. i will check into the downpipee.

 

Don't forget to check your ball joints!

 

It still could be the hubs. If it's a grinding noise then it's something that's turning, not a ball joint or tie rod end. Maybe you or whoever put the hubs back together last time did it wrong. It happens. I've seen the big spring put on the wrong side of the gear lots of time and that spring left out too. That will make a grinding noise when you hit bumps.

 

Hussler, I have this issue with my truck, sharp turns slow speeds uneven surfaces makes this pop/grinding noise. Now it progressed to anytime i hit the brakes reasonably hard it makes a brutal grinding, squeaking sound identical to a bad brake pad but thats not the problem they are newer. Also my 4x4 isnt working properly, i have auto hubs when i put it in 4x4 hi, I cant go over 35 without it grinding. not even sure if both fronts are engaging. 4x4 low goes in but you cant go over 10.. pretty sure thats standard tho right? Not sure what my nxt move should be. 1997 Ford F250 HD 4X4 auto hubs thanks- Brett

 

Without locking the hubs in, put it in 4 hi and drive it. If it does not make the noise, then it your hubs. I had a similar problem on a truck a few years ago and it wound up being the bronze bushing in the locking part of the hub. They were Superwinch hubs though, not stock. But it worth a try.

I would also check your hubs too. make sure they are disengaging, and if they aren't, better check the spindle bearings also.

 

That same thing happened to me because my Radius arm bracket was messed up and the bushing was chewed up pretty good.

 

So im loosing ny faith in my ranger
i drive at 30 moh straight hit snall bump not big ones and i get a vibrstion shutter that will nit stop till i slow down to 5 mph or if i turn on 4high . I checked everything finally just said screw it tried hud assembly and it stopped for a couple days has returned but alot less now. While changing the assembly i broke pulse hub so i took the other out two (hope it doesnt cause any damage). So when it started again i did same to stop it i flipped into 4x4 high and it stopped even without pulse hubs in. Help

 

[QUOTE=RRranch;10462776]It still could be the hubs. If it's a grinding noise then it's something that's turning, not a ball joint or tie rod end. Maybe you or whoever put the hubs back together last time did it wrong. It happens. I've seen the big spring put on the wrong side of the gear lots of time and that spring left out too. That will make a grinding noise