Baseball card in spokes?
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From: Edwards Air Force Base
Baseball card in spokes?
My truck has developed a clicking noise from the front end that sounds like a baseball card in a bicycle tire. I only hear it when it is warm and have been driving for a few miles.
When I jack it up and turn the wheel, I don't hear it and I can't hear it if the truck is just starting out. Cruise it on the freeway for a few miles then slow down and I hear it plain as day. It follows the speed of the tires so I know it is likely coming from the wheels.
I figured this was easy and my hubs were going bad so put on a new set of Warn hubs yesterday but the sound came back on the test drive.
Any ideas?
Thanks,
Lee
When I jack it up and turn the wheel, I don't hear it and I can't hear it if the truck is just starting out. Cruise it on the freeway for a few miles then slow down and I hear it plain as day. It follows the speed of the tires so I know it is likely coming from the wheels.
I figured this was easy and my hubs were going bad so put on a new set of Warn hubs yesterday but the sound came back on the test drive.
Any ideas?
Thanks,
Lee
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Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 526
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From: Spokane, WA
The brake pads are loose in the caliper. It seems pads don't fit as tight as they used to so they "rattle" around in the caliper. They don't do it cold so much, because of the friction keeps them driven forward, but as they warm up and there is less initial friction, they slide forward and back in the caliper. This is the outside pad only...the inside one is "spring" loaded to stop this. You can bend the ears of the pads so they grip the caliper tight to rid yourself of this annoying sound. Took me about a year to get around to it myself....I am so happy I did!
kenny
kenny
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From: Northern California
It could also be the wheel itself, or a wheel bearing (on applicable vehicles) as well as the brake pads.
A slight wobble caused by the wheel, or other front end components causing the click etc...
have the brakes up front checked, see if they are slipping back and forth. Then go on from there. Wheel, hubs, etc...
A slight wobble caused by the wheel, or other front end components causing the click etc...
have the brakes up front checked, see if they are slipping back and forth. Then go on from there. Wheel, hubs, etc...
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From: Edwards Air Force Base
Thanks for the feedback/ideas. I will tear it apart and see if I can tighten up the brake pads, tape them or rig up some kind of spring clip etc.
It "shouldn't" be the wheels as they are fairly new and I haven't beat them up yet to where they should be bent.
I also replaced all the bearings and fornt end parts when I did the 2WD to 4x4 conversion thus everything is pretty tight up front right now which is why I was so confused. If it is just a brake pad problem, I will be happy. I was worried it may be inner bearings and that I may have odd lubrication problem with this axle.
We'll see what turns up though I amy not get to it this weekend. They are talking about us getting snow out here for the first time in a decade. (Southern California)
Thanks again,
Lee
It "shouldn't" be the wheels as they are fairly new and I haven't beat them up yet to where they should be bent.
I also replaced all the bearings and fornt end parts when I did the 2WD to 4x4 conversion thus everything is pretty tight up front right now which is why I was so confused. If it is just a brake pad problem, I will be happy. I was worried it may be inner bearings and that I may have odd lubrication problem with this axle.
We'll see what turns up though I amy not get to it this weekend. They are talking about us getting snow out here for the first time in a decade. (Southern California)
Thanks again,
Lee
Elder User
Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 526
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From: Spokane, WA
You don't need to tape/glue/jimmy rig them, just bend the ears in a bit until they fit snug. The easiest way to tell if it is the pads is keep the window down and get them to make noise (was easy for mine, go around the block twice then run around 25 mph), then step lightly on the brake. If the sound goes away almost immediatly, the pads are walking.
kenny
kenny
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From: Northern California
Originally Posted by 8 Lugs
Does your truck have hubcaps?
Steve G.
Steve G.
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From: Edwards Air Force Base
No hubcaps, am running Mags as in my gallery.
I have eliminated the usual suspects and am now thinking it is either a bearing ( high probability) or a U-joint in the axles.
The sound gets worse when I hit the brakes and corner, and as I said, as it gets hot. I put the truck up on jack stands and ran it in 4x4 for about 30 minutes and never heard it once so I am thinking it has to have weight on the wheels to do it and that the brakes making it worse has to do with the shift of weight to the front when braking.
I may just check the manual out and order some new bearings, u-joints and drain the axles and change everything at once. As I recall though, this won't be an easy job. I think I recall that this is one of the harder things to do as I have to rip the differential apart to get the axles out to gain access to the inner bearings and half shaft u-joints.
I just wish there was a way to know for sure what it was before I go to all this trouble.
Lee
I have eliminated the usual suspects and am now thinking it is either a bearing ( high probability) or a U-joint in the axles.
The sound gets worse when I hit the brakes and corner, and as I said, as it gets hot. I put the truck up on jack stands and ran it in 4x4 for about 30 minutes and never heard it once so I am thinking it has to have weight on the wheels to do it and that the brakes making it worse has to do with the shift of weight to the front when braking.
I may just check the manual out and order some new bearings, u-joints and drain the axles and change everything at once. As I recall though, this won't be an easy job. I think I recall that this is one of the harder things to do as I have to rip the differential apart to get the axles out to gain access to the inner bearings and half shaft u-joints.
I just wish there was a way to know for sure what it was before I go to all this trouble.
Lee
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Post Fiend
Joined: Jul 2004
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From: Northern California
Well, if it is a bad wheel, you can rotate your tires. If the clicking follows the wheel then you know it's time to buy a new wheel. Also try and put your spare on the suspect side. If the clicking goes away, etc..
If you tightened up the brake pads as described earlier. Then it's a possibility of something like a wheel bearing, U-joints, or what you described earlier.
Even a bad wheel, needs to have weight on it to make the noises though. Really bad u-joints on the axles tend to fall apart when the weight is removed, or the noise gets worse. Not always but tend to, cause the weight and angles hold them tighter together.
hope this all helps...
If you tightened up the brake pads as described earlier. Then it's a possibility of something like a wheel bearing, U-joints, or what you described earlier.
Even a bad wheel, needs to have weight on it to make the noises though. Really bad u-joints on the axles tend to fall apart when the weight is removed, or the noise gets worse. Not always but tend to, cause the weight and angles hold them tighter together.
hope this all helps...
Freshman User
Joined: Mar 2006
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Dude, check ur transfer case, sounds like u got slack in the chain. It's common on trucks with chain driven transfer cases. Easiest way to find it is to hold the brake like ur gonna power brake it and ease in the throttle it should pop loud then.
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