Right Front Roaring

[Silvercrew]

A new issue cropped up on me today outta the blue. Driving down the highway at speed and I'll hear a screech sort of sound following by a roar that lasts anywhere from a second to nearly a mile. Had to get it home and began diagnosis. First thought was factory hubs trying to engage themselves, so i took them off and inspected them (all looked ok). Took it out for another test drive and it was still occurring (usually after hitting a bump). So, i then locked in the hubs manually and it would not make the sound. In order to totally rule out the hubs i then removed them and drove down the highway and it again made the noise. Fearing wheel bearing or differential. Anyone else hear of an issue like this? The only thing that looked out of place on the right side is dust cover is off inside the spindle.

[Silvercrew]

Mechanic and I believe that it is probably the transfer case trying to engage itself randomly. Noise usually occurs when going over a bump or accelerating and then decelerating the truck (to kind of rock it). Mechanic drained the fluid just to check its status and it was BLACK. Not just dark, but BLACK. Replaced 3qts of fluid and test drove it and symptoms still persisted. Getting a used/warrantied T-case this weekend for a replacement. Hope it all goes well.

[NoRalPh]

These are typical symptoms of bad needle brgs in the ft hub. A cheap & easy fix.

The reason the roar disappears when the hub is Locked is that those brgs are no longer spinning as the stub axle now turns with the wheel....

Here's some info on the needle brgs, they're only about $10 and, as you can see, not too bad a job to replace.

Welcome to guzzle's 4x4 Needle Bearing Maintenance Web Page

[Silvercrew]

Ralph, thanks for the information! Will definitely look into rebuilding my needle bearings in the near future. However currently I have totally ruled out the hubs as the sound persisted while driving the truck with the lock-outs completely removed and sitting on the cab floor. With them removed any sound still there would be indicative of wheel bearing, differential, or transfer case, right? Wheel bearings are tight. May investigate electrical as it seems like bumps make the t-case try and engage and a short or loose plug could cause it to try and engage. The thing that makes me not believe it's an electrical issue is the 4X4 light never illuminated our even flickers on the dash.

[NoRalPh]

Originally Posted by Silvercrew

Ralph, thanks for the information! Will definitely look into rebuilding my needle bearings in the near future. However currently I have totally ruled out the hubs as the sound persisted while driving the truck with the lock-outs completely removed and sitting on the cab floor. With them removed any sound still there would be indicative of wheel bearing, differential, or transfer case, right? .

No,,,,, I'm telling you, it could ALL be the needle brgs at this point.

Removing the hubs is just like UnLocking them. When the ft axle is Not spinning with the wheel, the stub axle need separate support. That's what the needles are for.

When bad, they chatter & ROAR against the stub.

The simple test is to do what you've already done. Manually lock the hub, eliminating them from turning, and if the noise goes away, THAT's your problem

[Silvercrew]

I am about to check these out. If this is my issue, 100 beers your way Ralph! Would this issue occur mostly when warm (20+) miles of travel and usually over bumps and whatnot? Heading out to tear into the knuckle right now. Thanks a bunch for all the help!!

[Silvercrew]

So, pulled the right front hub and found the needle bearings bone dry. Worked a bunch of bearing grease in it after cleaning it and the shaft up. Drove it and all is well. Again, thanks NoRalPH!!

[NoRalPh]

That's great! I would consider ordering 2 new ones (unless the other sides hub brgs have been replaced, new hubs come with new needles) because they So Cheap compared to what it takes getting to them, and if this side went, how far behind could the other be?

After you've pulled the Hub Assembly once, the second time goes Much faster with my DeWalt 14v 1/2" impact and a 13/16 deep socket, I can have it in my lap in 15mins