This is not in one of our trucks.. but it shares the same front axle.. My sister in law was complaining of a noise that sounded to her like a rod knock

I questioned her on when it started, what she thought it was.. blah blah..blah.she stated it started after the first major snow..She said she believe to be in the left front ( passenger side)..

I took it for a ride, and heard it. it happened when you got to speed, and then again when you left off the pedal.. it would quite down ( still knocked ) when you applied the brakes..

Well, I tore off the right side.. pulled the hub off, it was trashed..Inspected the axles, no problems. Replaced it.. installed everything.. still knocked..

Went to the other side.. pulled the hub off. Looked good, some point of "popping" but dont think she has to replace it right now.. axle looks good. Reinstall everything..

Took it for a ride.. still knocking..

Brought it back in the garage.. lifted all four tires up on to jack stands, put her in drive, crawled underneath and watched and listend..

I could feel it in the pinion.. hardcore..

I pull off the two front tires.. I drain the diff, I remove the drive shaft, tape up the endcaps, tape it off to the frame.. I slowly turn the pinion and it is hard to explain..but it was free, then not, free, then not.. no knocking..no popping..

I then turn the pinion back and forth,, and its knocking away, I can feel it in the diff.. well, as I am rocking it.. I notice the caliper on the Right side is just slopping all over the place.. The guidepin bushing are worn out....

Moral of the story.. Look for the simple..Or..as I always tell my guys while troubleshooting a machine.. "check the fuse"

Now if I could only follow my own advice....

 

Hey at least you found a bad hub.

 

X2 on that!

It wasn't wasted time. If you had spotted the brake caliper right off the bat, you would have never found the bad hub. That could have been a real bad problem later! I always like it when I find the problem, or potential problem, while sitting in the driveway.

 

I didnt even think of that.. I only thought about the cash output for her.. not even thinking of the long term resultss.. I actually feel much better about it now..

 

She was going to need the repair anyway. You may have saved her a tow bill, possible accident, more expensive repair bill. I'd say you did a real good job for her. She paid a little now rather than a lot later.

 

Good boy you!
We need to take care of the women-folk (and everyone else) and keep them safe!
A heck'uva lot better than her getting stuck alone somewhere on a cold dark night.