Drivetrain question......
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Senior User
Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 183
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From: La Vernia, Texas
Drivetrain question......
I have spent the past two weeks during my free time trying to diagnose and fix a noise from the front of my truck. So far I have replaced the Hub assembly and manual locking hubs. I went with the Warn units for the manual hubs amd OEM for the hub assembly. I could not do the u-joints because I don't have the tools to press the joints out.
So my question: Do the u-joints rotate when the hubs are not locked?
I ask because the noise is still there. It has diminished but has not disappeared.
I found this surprising because the hub assembly was thrashed and the lockout hub was similiarly thrashed.
Any advice is appreciated.
So my question: Do the u-joints rotate when the hubs are not locked?
I ask because the noise is still there. It has diminished but has not disappeared.
I found this surprising because the hub assembly was thrashed and the lockout hub was similiarly thrashed.Any advice is appreciated.
More Turbo
Joined: Oct 2003
Posts: 597
Likes: 22
From: Central Maine
No, when hubs are unlocked the front axles do not spin when driving with shifter in 2WD.
Look in your rear view mirror when you are in front of a superduty and you can quickly tell if he is locked or not. The u-joints put out a blurr near each kunckle when locked....
Look in your rear view mirror when you are in front of a superduty and you can quickly tell if he is locked or not. The u-joints put out a blurr near each kunckle when locked....
Thread Starter
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Senior User
Joined: Mar 2004
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From: La Vernia, Texas
Then I still need to find this flippin noise..... if not the u-joints then it has to be something else.
I did notice that the seals were destroyed as well and I repalced all of those I could find.
So what gives?
I did notice that the seals were destroyed as well and I repalced all of those I could find.
So what gives?
More Turbo
Joined: Oct 2003
Posts: 597
Likes: 22
From: Central Maine
Give us some more pointers on the conditions when you have the sound: speed, smooth road, high or low pitched noise? Driver's side?
Sounds funny but we have all gone against the noise gobblins once or twice on these rigs.
My latest was the sway bar links... have since changed them out 2 more times (napa lifteime warr....). Another good noise remedy is to change out the plastic spring slippers (OEM only) that go between each leaf and lube them up good, man that was the biggest upgrade I ever did!
Ed
Sounds funny but we have all gone against the noise gobblins once or twice on these rigs.
My latest was the sway bar links... have since changed them out 2 more times (napa lifteime warr....). Another good noise remedy is to change out the plastic spring slippers (OEM only) that go between each leaf and lube them up good, man that was the biggest upgrade I ever did!
Ed
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Senior User
Joined: Mar 2004
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From: La Vernia, Texas
Sound is while the vehicle is in motion and seems to change frequency as speed increases. I replaced the sway bar end-links about a year ago as well. I haven't thought of the springs because the noise only occurs above 5 MPH.
I even tried placing everything in neutral and the sound is still there. My next thoughts are the sound might be transferred from the driveshaft....ie carrier bearing (if I have one) or one of the u-joints on the driveshaft.
I mention this because my vette's torque tube and driveshaft can (and have) transmitted vibration right into the cabin and you swear it is coming from the clutch when in reality it was a transaxle mount (kinda like a tuning fork)
I even tried placing everything in neutral and the sound is still there. My next thoughts are the sound might be transferred from the driveshaft....ie carrier bearing (if I have one) or one of the u-joints on the driveshaft.
I mention this because my vette's torque tube and driveshaft can (and have) transmitted vibration right into the cabin and you swear it is coming from the clutch when in reality it was a transaxle mount (kinda like a tuning fork)
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Senior User
Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 183
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From: La Vernia, Texas
Kwik,
Just one; on the driver's side. This seemed to where the sound was originating. Couldn't afford both at $290 a piece from Napa, both lockout hubs were replaced though.
Just one; on the driver's side. This seemed to where the sound was originating. Couldn't afford both at $290 a piece from Napa, both lockout hubs were replaced though.
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Elder User
Joined: Nov 2008
Posts: 668
Likes: 6
From: Northfield, MI
How did the stub shaft look where it contacts the hub bearing? The stub shaft bearing spins whenever the truck moves and the hubs are not locked.
Also, it is quite common for rear axle and driveshaft noises to be perceived as coming from the front on Super Duties. It's best to get the truck up on a hoist and run it while checking components with a stethoscope.
Jay
Also, it is quite common for rear axle and driveshaft noises to be perceived as coming from the front on Super Duties. It's best to get the truck up on a hoist and run it while checking components with a stethoscope.
Jay
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Thread Starter
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Senior User
Joined: Mar 2004
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From: La Vernia, Texas
Stub axle looked fine, even the needle bearings appeared good (not dry and rolled easily) I replaced the hub assembly anyway because there was quite a bit of grease that looked like it had come out of the hub bearing assembly and it made a grinding noise when rotated while on the truck.
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Senior User
Joined: Mar 2004
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From: La Vernia, Texas
Ok guys this is getting damn frustrating. I have done the following and still the noise persists:
1. Changed both lock-out hubs with Warn Lockout Hubs
2. Replaced hub bearing assembly on driver's side with NAPA sourced part
3. Replaced driveshaft universals and carrier bearing
4. Had driveshaft inspected and rebalanced
5. Aligned, rotated and balanced tires
6. Checked fluid levels in transfer case, rear diff and transmission; all were fine and clean.
Noise occurs in 4 and 2 wheel drive and is clearly audible at speeds above 20 mph. Sides like a grinding thump sound. No vibration in steering wheel with brakes applied or not.
All parts replaced because the ones on the truck were suspect or bad. Quite frankly I am getting tired of throwing money at this truck; especially this time of year. Any words of wisdom are greatly appreciated.
1. Changed both lock-out hubs with Warn Lockout Hubs
2. Replaced hub bearing assembly on driver's side with NAPA sourced part
3. Replaced driveshaft universals and carrier bearing
4. Had driveshaft inspected and rebalanced
5. Aligned, rotated and balanced tires
6. Checked fluid levels in transfer case, rear diff and transmission; all were fine and clean.
Noise occurs in 4 and 2 wheel drive and is clearly audible at speeds above 20 mph. Sides like a grinding thump sound. No vibration in steering wheel with brakes applied or not.
All parts replaced because the ones on the truck were suspect or bad. Quite frankly I am getting tired of throwing money at this truck; especially this time of year. Any words of wisdom are greatly appreciated.
Senior User
Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 466
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From: Ontario, CAN
It sounds like you have really looked at the front with no luck. Take a look at the rear brakes and e-brake mechanism. If the e-brake is not releasing properly you will experience some drag and noise, and the e-brake system on these trucks are crap. IMO. I just replaced everything related to e-brake and backing plate after a small noise drove me crazy for a few weeks.
Sound transfer can be a real pain with diagnosing a problem. I had a mystery noise for a while that I could not locate and then my rear end went. If you can believe it, water traveled from the gooseneck ball mount to the U channel under the bed where the factory puts the rear end breather hose. The hose pulled the water in and the rest is history.
Good Luck
Sound transfer can be a real pain with diagnosing a problem. I had a mystery noise for a while that I could not locate and then my rear end went. If you can believe it, water traveled from the gooseneck ball mount to the U channel under the bed where the factory puts the rear end breather hose. The hose pulled the water in and the rest is history.
Good Luck
Posting Guru
Joined: May 2009
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From: Battle Creek, NE
Sway bar bushings. Is it like a thump or knock on any surface? They are cheap and easy to install. Kinda went through this on my ride(brakes,rotors,shocks,bar ends,steering stabilizer,and finally the bushings).
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Senior User
Joined: Mar 2004
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From: La Vernia, Texas
Thanks for all the responses. Finally gave in and took it to a shop with a lift. The determination was the passenger side hub bearing assembly is bad too. 
I will dig into fixing that this weekend. Heck after doing the driver's side it should be a piece of cake.
Anyone want to help?
I can provide beer
I will dig into fixing that this weekend. Heck after doing the driver's side it should be a piece of cake.
Anyone want to help?
I can provide beer