front axles grinding

Strokeorcroak · #1 (**permalink**) 06-20-2010, 04:24 PM

Started having front axle grinding noises today on my way home. Turning right the front left wheel seems to be grinding in some way. Sounds like metal on metal so i figured it was wheel bearings.

Well i took the caliper, hub, and everything apart and the bearings are definitely loose but they dont seem completely shot. Would those bearings make a metal on metal sound even with some grease left in them and not completely grenaded?

So tomorrow i will go to carquest and get wheel bearings and the seal. But what i was trying to figure out is if there is something else that can grind when going around a corner? Could a u-joint make a grinding sound?

Should i just replace the U-joints and ball joints while i have it apart and call it good? What all is there while its apart that needs replaced. Also how do i tell if the hub is shot, when they are both unlocked and one tire was off the fround i spun it (with hub unlocked) and the front drive shaft was spinning, didnt think that was possible?

sorry about the long post but i need answers. Thanks

***kanuck15*** · #2 (**permalink**) 06-20-2010, 04:28 PM

If they are loose then that right there will make that noise. its the hub body grinding on the spindle. Id set aside a day for ball joints. seeing as how its not an easy task to take that spindle off the hub

Strokeorcroak · #3 (**permalink**) 06-20-2010, 04:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kanuck15

If they are loose then that right there will make that noise. its the hub body grinding on the spindle. Id set aside a day for ball joints. seeing as how its not an easy task to take that spindle off the hub

okay yeah they are loose, but still have grease in them and seem to roll okay. definitely not new bearings what so ever. I will replace them though, anything else while im in there?

***kanuck15*** · #4 (**permalink**) 06-20-2010, 04:31 PM

thats about all you can do. once you take the hub off its just the spindle. id check it for scaring and whatnot cause that can happen when bearings go bad

Strokeorcroak · #5 (**permalink**) 06-20-2010, 04:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kanuck15

thats about all you can do. once you take the hub off its just the spindle. id check it for scaring and whatnot cause that can happen when bearings go bad

Yeah the bearings aren't that bad at all but I will check that for sure. Might put the wheels bearings in and put it back together to see if maybe that's my problem. Then do ball joints later when I can affrod it down a couple days

***kanuck15*** · #6 (**permalink**) 06-20-2010, 04:49 PM

The worst part of ball joints is getting the spindle out of the knuckle. and also popping the knuckle out of the axle. heat and a sledge are what got mine. i did it in an evening

Strokeorcroak · #7 (**permalink**) 06-20-2010, 04:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kanuck15

The worst part of ball joints is getting the spindle out of the knuckle. and also popping the knuckle out of the axle. heat and a sledge are what got mine. i did it in an evening

Can't I just beat the **** out of them with a sledge until they break haha??