front end noise?

[haleybarb]

i have been getting a rattle-y noise from the front end, drivers side. having trouble sourcing it out. any ideas? not the cv joint either, pretty sure. a mech sed that it might be the swaybar rubber bushings being all worn out. anyone else experinece this b4?

[Faze2183]

if its like a tickin sound replace your pvc, because my moms was makin that noise and i replaced the pvc and the tube cuz it was shot, and it fixed the issue, then mine was makin that noise and it ended up bein a lose bolt with a thick washer and that was makin the rattlin nosie in my truck

[haleybarb]

ummm, it actually sounds like a blown shock i think. but i just put them on recently. a coupla weeks ago i even had the balsted thing on the hoist, wheel off nad i checked and re-tightened every bolt, just in case i missed something. THe mechanic we use when i can't deal with things had a very quick look at it and said it may be the rubber bushing in the swaybar....
Where was the loose bolt/washer in your truck?

[Faze2183]

it had something todo when i had my alarm put in they didnt tighten computer bracket down and it just made a noise that drove me insane, try the pvc also its only about 3 or 4 bucks plus like a dollar for the tubin i remade mine because the old was shot, plus ur so post to replace those i think every 20k miles or something i dunno i do it every 10 just to be safe

[rpreston]

A bad wheel bearing can also give you a rattle sound sometimes (or a squeal). They should be checked pretty regularly if you off-road in the mud a lot. The last one I had to change just made a rattling sound. Spin the hub by hand (with the wheel off off) and feel for any binding or anything the feels unusual.

[haleybarb]

hmmmm, bad wheel bearings eh? didn't feel any binding/unusual things with the wheel off, but with the wheel on and raised, grabbing the wheel on the sides I can feel ALOT of play....not normal??? can't find much info in the Haynes manual. Are the bearings hard to replace in 4X4 front ends?

[rpreston]

No. You have to change the whole hub, the bearings are sealed. You pull the caliper, unbolt the axle nut and theres either 3 or 4 bolts that hold the hub on. If you've got ALOT of side to side play though it's more likely steering linkage. Tie rods, pitman arm or idler arm... I'm surprised if there is that much play your not feeling the front end shimmy or wander while driving. Have someone watch all the linkage while you check for side play.

[rpreston]

Also, just raise the wheel your checking, not the whole front of the truck. It's easier that way to tell if anything is worn out in the linkage.

[jefpmar]

Is the noise mostly when turning?
Check the pitman arm for play.
Replaced mine, noise gone.

[haleybarb]

already did the pitman a while ago....gave u and took it into a shop, turned out to be a loose shock mount bahahahahahaha! i swear i checked it too!