Whining front end 96 Bronco
New User
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 1
Likes: 0
From: houston
Whining front end 96 Bronco
I own a 96 Bronco with about 100k miles. I have a noise from the front end when driving in 2wd or 4wd. Noise is present whether going forwards or in reverse. Noise is repetitive and speeds up as tire speed increases. Sound is similar to the sound a shovel used on a concrete driveway would make. I put the truck on a hydraulic lift a month ago when i was having the brakes serviced and let the wheels spin. Sound seems to come from the front drive shaft just before the wheel assembly. Did not sound like it was coming from the wheel bearing. I have heard that the front U-joint needle bearings could be the culprit. Any opinions would be appreciated.
Thanks
Thanks
Laughing Gas
Joined: Jul 2001
Posts: 1,019
Likes: 3
From: Bismarck, ND
Whining front end 96 Bronco
Your theory on the needle bearings sounds reasonable, but I wouldn't think that these would make noise in 2WD (your axle shafts don't spin all the time, do they?). If they were bad, it would seem that they would only make noise when under a load (when the axle shafts were engaged and pulling). Are you sure it's not the inner wheel bearing?
