Saturday i replaced the ball joints, hub and bearings on the drivers side of my '99 250 sd 4x4. befor i replaced it all, the ball joints where completely shot and there was a sort of grinding or growling noise coming from the front drivers side. i assumed the hub and the bearings where shot so i did the replacement along with the ball joints. I thoroughly cleaned, greased and torqued everything. steering is much tighter. but again there is still that grinding or growling sound coming from the hub area.
Anyone have an Idea?????

 

any ideas?????

 

What kind of shape were the dust seals on the knuckle? I know I had a periodic 'growling' sound from the hub and it turned out to be due to the seal being sloppy and allowing too much movement at the needle bearings.

 

front axle shaft U joint ????

 

u-joints wehre replaced prior to me buying, i checked them and pumped some greas in them... they where ok.
on the other hand the dust seal was shot and i did replace it with a new one, cleaned the axle tube where it seats and everything seemed ok.

 

How did the stub axle look where it rides in the needle bearings? That's where I believe, I was getting the vibration/growling sound. I haven't addressed it yet, only having packed the needle bearings with grease until I can.

 

honestly i dont remember, im sure if it was galled up i would have noticed it.

 

Aside from the u-joint, that needle bearing and stub axle would be my only guess as to where your noise is coming from. Hopefully someone with more experience will come along and provide further insight.

 

I appreciate the help! Thank you