Growling noise in 4x4 - axle or wheel bearing?

DerekTheGreat · Dec 18, 2017

I have not checked the fluid level, need to do that. I had it drained & filled four months ago when I had a new passenger side axle seal put in it. I think it was ran without fluid for awhile since when I got it, I didn't notice any leaks from the front diff. Had diff oil put in up front, noticed a leak... So, leads me to believe it was ran dry. I do have 3.73's. I'll probably just have the thing looked at & redone as slamming in another unknown axle brings more unknowns into the equation and that's frustrating. I mean, there's no cover to pull on these things so how can you check to be sure they're OK? Why I'm hesitant to slap a JY unit on. Thanks for the input and advice fellas. OH, engine is fresh, well, a fresher unit from a '95 1 ton van. All gaskets & such were done at the time so no leaks. Not sure about the front driveshaft. Looks good & I grease it when I change the oil, as it's got a zerk on the end closest to the T-case. Doesn't seem to be any play in the u joints.

lxe4 · Mar 31, 2018

did you get er solved? mine has always been hard on front u joints. they get growly when they get rusty from not getting used or lubed enough.

DerekTheGreat · Apr 2, 2018

I've got parts on order from Rock Auto, I was under the truck last weekend to change the oil and noticed the boot for the driver's side CV shaft is torn so I've got two new ones coming and since I'll be there anyway, I'm also replacing the wheel bearings, I'm pretty sure that's what my problem is. Hopefully this will confirm it. Hasn't gotten any worse though in terms of noise or drivability so I've been lazy with it. That and the girlfriend just had to have this '92 F150 so we bought that and I've been working on that POS to make it less of a POS haha. It's close...

Devoted_Corrosion · Jan 15, 2021

DerekTheGreat said:
I've got parts on order from Rock Auto, I was under the truck last weekend to change the oil and noticed the boot for the driver's side CV shaft is torn so I've got two new ones coming and since I'll be there anyway, I'm also replacing the wheel bearings, I'm pretty sure that's what my problem is. Hopefully this will confirm it. Hasn't gotten any worse though in terms of noise or drivability so I've been lazy with it. That and the girlfriend just had to have this '92 F150 so we bought that and I've been working on that POS to make it less of a POS haha. It's close...

Hey Derek The Great, I've been chasing this exact same issue for awhile now and can't figure it out. I know this is an old thread, but your description of the issue is spot on the same as mine! Did it end up being the front wheel bearings? Or was it something to do with the front drive shift? I can't seem to figure it out...

Thanks

DerekTheGreat · Jan 18, 2021

Hello!

When the parts came in I tore it all apart and replaced 'em. So new CV shafts and wheel bearings up front. Noise still present. I believe it to be in the front axle, but here it is three years later and if it's a grenade, the pin is still in.. I've just been keeping an eye on the oil level in that diff and despite the noise, it seems happy. Starting to become a proponent of, "If it isn't broken, don't try and fix it."

Devoted_Corrosion · Feb 6, 2021

DerekTheGreat said:
Hello!

When the parts came in I tore it all apart and replaced 'em. So new CV shafts and wheel bearings up front. Noise still present. I believe it to be in the front axle, but here it is three years later and if it's a grenade, the pin is still in.. I've just been keeping an eye on the oil level in that diff and despite the noise, it seems happy. Starting to become a proponent of, "If it isn't broken, don't try and fix it."

Okay that's good to know. I appreciate the response. I can't seem to figure out what it is either.

Growling noise in 4x4 - axle or wheel bearing?

DerekTheGreat

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lxe4

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DerekTheGreat

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Devoted_Corrosion

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DerekTheGreat

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Devoted_Corrosion

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