Front End Noise
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Senior User
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From: Rolla, MO
Front End Noise
This one is really confusing me. The truck sounds like it's in 4-wheel drive but it's not. I noticed this just the other day but I haven't had time to check anything out yet. When turning, it doesn't make any popping noises which is good. And no the hubs are not locked. Any ideas on what I should check or look for? It can't be good if it's making this kind of noise. 
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From: Wheatland, Mo
I would take a look at the inside of your wheels. Could be the outer axel seal has gone bad and the diff fluid has drained enough during driving that the axel has "stuck" and gives you that 4x4 feel. Also check the diff for leaking.... Make sure the t-case is disengaging.
You should be able to reach behind the wheel and turn the axel from inside the knuckle by hand. May take some force but it should turn freely.
You should be able to reach behind the wheel and turn the axel from inside the knuckle by hand. May take some force but it should turn freely.
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From: Rolla, MO
I would take a look at the inside of your wheels. Could be the outer axel seal has gone bad and the diff fluid has drained enough during driving that the axel has "stuck" and gives you that 4x4 feel. Also check the diff for leaking.... Make sure the t-case is disengaging.
You should be able to reach behind the wheel and turn the axel from inside the knuckle by hand. May take some force but it should turn freely.
You should be able to reach behind the wheel and turn the axel from inside the knuckle by hand. May take some force but it should turn freely.
Now that you mention it I did see some wetness around the seals a while back. What sucks is I changed out my ball joints about a year ago and replaced all the seals. Now I may have to replace all of it again. Not a fun job. I will check the diff tonight and see if there is any fluid in there. And I will see if the knuckle will turn freely and report back later.
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From: Rolla, MO
Ok, so u r saying the seals next to the pumpkin...you mean inside the diff housing? Just trying to picture all this. Either way to fix them I still have to yank all that stuff off and replace the knuckle seal, dust seals and o-rings again not mention whatever seals r leaking. Wow...this sucks!
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Joined: Jan 2009
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From: Suffolk, VA
Yes, there are seals inside the diff housing where the axle tubes enter the diff. It's not likely those are leaking but they could, it would be obvious if they were.
But just because the dial on your hubs are turned to unlock doesn't mean they are actually unlocked; it is very common for them to stick. Have you checked to make sure they are in fact free? Try turning the driveshaft by hand and see if it turns freely.
But just because the dial on your hubs are turned to unlock doesn't mean they are actually unlocked; it is very common for them to stick. Have you checked to make sure they are in fact free? Try turning the driveshaft by hand and see if it turns freely.
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From: Rolla, MO
Ok here is an update to this. The front drive shaft turns freely, the diff is full and I can turn the axle shafts. The only thing I noticed about the axle shafts is that the driver side spins pretty easy but the passenger side takes a little more effort to spin. Not sure if that means anything or not. The 4 wheel drive engages just fine, tried that out too. I just don't know what is making it sound like this.
The only other obvious thing I found was the rotors are shot!! But I already knew they were bad and I should have my Hawk rotors here this week. Not sure if the rotors are making the noise or not. The passenger side is badly grooved. If anyone has more ideas on what this could be I'm open to suggestions.
The only other obvious thing I found was the rotors are shot!! But I already knew they were bad and I should have my Hawk rotors here this week. Not sure if the rotors are making the noise or not. The passenger side is badly grooved. If anyone has more ideas on what this could be I'm open to suggestions.
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From: Suffolk, VA
Based on what's been said here I'd pull the hub/rotor assembly off and inspect the hub needle bearings and wheel bearings. R&R or regrease as necessary. Now would be a good time to relube the brake caliper pins and clean/relube the lockout hubs too.
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Welcome to guzzle's 4x4 Needle Bearing Maintenance Web Page
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From: Rolla, MO
Based on what's been said here I'd pull the hub/rotor assembly off and inspect the hub needle bearings and wheel bearings. R&R or regrease as necessary. Now would be a good time to relube the brake caliper pins and clean/relube the lockout hubs too.
Welcome to guzzle's 4x4 Needle Bearing Maintenance Web Page
Welcome to guzzle's 4x4 Needle Bearing Maintenance Web Page
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From: Rolla, MO
Well, reporting back on this. Looks like Keith was right in his previous post. I was getting ready to install the new rotors and pads from Hawk and low and behold the passenger side hub assembly is shot!!
That would explain why I had a huge gouge in my rotor and also the noise that I couldn't figure out. So, my new assembly is on it's way should be here Friday. Another weekend of wrenching on the beast.
That would explain why I had a huge gouge in my rotor and also the noise that I couldn't figure out. So, my new assembly is on it's way should be here Friday. Another weekend of wrenching on the beast.
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