Road noise or stuck in gear feeling

[Goldfishy]

I recently replaced the tires on the 99' GCL (close to 158,000 miles) with another set of Michelin Cross Terrains (still had enough tread even at close to 78,000 on them, but Costco had the $50 rebate).

Prior to the new tires, the car sounded and felt like it could not get out of 4th gear (AT), but also had seemed like it was the road noise from the old tires, thus another reason to get new tires.

The tach is reading 2,000 rpm's @ 70 mph (1,600 at 65, both normal levels I guess), so I had the stealership do the whole tranny flush and filter change, hmmmm, same noise, but sounded like the old tires were the cause also. I'd shift into neutral at speeds from 30 to 70 mph to see if it was the tranny, nope.

Whenever you're slowing down the noise level drops, there's no shimmy's, no pulling of the steering wheel, no uneven wear on tires.

So now goes on the new tires, I still have the noise and like it's stuck in 4th gear (straining, but at 2,000 rpm's going 70).

Now the mechanic's did notice two things during the tranny work: one of the motor mounts is broken (but said it's not going to hurt or damage anything for now and can wait) and the rear main bearings are going to need replacing soon, would any of those two items cause the problem mentioned?

[dksob81]

I don't think either of those are the cause of you noise.

Could you explain the noise in more detail. Is it a constant noise at these speeds, does it only do it under load (gas applied) or the opposite.

[myjeepsux420]

Rear main bearings? I think not. Perhaps the rear mail seal, but not the bearings. If you did the main bearings, you might as well rebuild the entire motor. Watch out, the mechanice might try to sell you a set of muffler bearings as well.

[Goldfishy]

Yes, the noise is constant from 25 to 70 mph, slightly louder as the speed picks up but not by that much.

Yes, I meant the rear main seals, not bearings, whewww...

It actually feels like the front left tire is defective (but then again, it happened with the old tire too), I forget to mention, Costco did rebalance all the tires, but decided not to rotate them yet (less than a month of purchase). It was found the balance was off-center, but not my much.

I need to go back to Costco and have them rotate them this time to see if that makes a difference. But you guys know Costco is like a 2 hour plus wait...and at my Costco, that's at 10 a.m. starting in the line.

[dksob81]

does it sounds like it's coming from the front or rear or center of the jeep?

[Goldfishy]

Front left side....with the windows all rolled down (to hear better?). But it's more audioable (sp?) with the windows up.

[dksob81]

ok, it could be a bad wheel bearing, they tend to whine when they go bad.

Could you explain the noise it's making (grinding, whining, roaring, rubbing)?

[Goldfishy]

That thought ran thru my mind also (bad wheel bearing), the noise is like a tire with about ten pounds of air (like the steel belts in the tires are about to go), also like the tranny is trying to get into the next higher gear, but still noisy on the left side. Yea, I guess whining might be a good word also.

Costco says very rarely would that be a tire and they sell hundreds a day, but possible, not in this case, unlikely.

Assume it's the bearing, and I've not done a search yet, how hard is to replace? I mean, does it need to be pressed out? Or a matter of removing the old bearings and greasing up a new set, that comes right out.

[dksob81]

well there pretty easy to replace actually, you don't need to grease them and pre-load them and you don't have to have them pressed in either.

because you need to get the hub/bearing assembly as a unit. the unfortunate part is there expensive around $100-$150 (non-dealership prices) each side.

[Goldfishy]

Yep, they're about $100 per wheel hub/bearing assembly at Kragen or Auto Zone. I'm going to get a pair ordered tomorrow. Can't stand the noise like a worn out belt on tires.

[Zrxpilot]

Goldfishy,

I have this same exact problem on my 03 GC. Did you ever figure out what it was? .Any further advice from anyone would be appreciated. Funny deal with this, I have had bearings go out in other vehicles and never did it sound like the whining with this rig. Actually it sounds like your zinging down the freeway on dry tarmac with the front differential locked in.

Pilot

[Goldfishy]

Originally Posted by Zrxpilot

Goldfishy,

I have this same exact problem on my 03 GC. Did you ever figure out what it was? .Any further advice from anyone would be appreciated. Funny deal with this, I have had bearings go out in other vehicles and never did it sound like the whining with this rig. Actually it sounds like your zinging down the freeway on dry tarmac with the front differential locked in.

Pilot

Pilot, I did purchase two sets of the bearings from Auto Zone (AZ), but yet to find the time to install them. I got a Chilton manual, but was seeing I needed to remove the brake-caliper assembly and the speed sensor, so I was expecting a simple remove the wheel and cotter pin, take off the old hub with the bearings inside and slap back on. It's probably not that hard in regards to the brake-caliper thing, just I'm not that mechanically smart and afraid to screw up the brakes.

Btw, buy your wheel bearings/hub (always good to replace in pairs) before 11-30-05 at AZ, AZ has this promo for every $20 purchase up to 5 visits, after the 5th, AZ will give you a $20 AZ gift card. I need one more purchase and I get my card.

[dksob81]

Originally Posted by Goldfishy

Pilot, I did purchase two sets of the bearings from Auto Zone (AZ), but yet to find the time to install them. I got a Chilton manual, but was seeing I needed to remove the brake-caliper assembly and the speed sensor, so I was expecting a simple remove the wheel and cotter pin, take off the old hub with the bearings inside and slap back on. It's probably not that hard in regards to the brake-caliper thing, just I'm not that mechanically smart and afraid to screw up the brakes.

Btw, buy your wheel bearings/hub (always good to replace in pairs) before 11-30-05 at AZ, AZ has this promo for every $20 purchase up to 5 visits, after the 5th, AZ will give you a $20 AZ gift card. I need one more purchase and I get my card.

Goldfishy,

The HUB/BEARING Assembly replacement is very easy. The only tool needed that might not be in your tool box would be a 1-7/16" socket for the axle nut. here is a summary of the instructions:
- raise the vehicle remove the wheel, then remove the cotter pin and locking rings (you might be able to do this without removing the wheel but I was not).
- put te wheel back on and lower the vehicle, using the 1-7/16" socket on the axle nut break it loose.
- raise the vehicle and support it securely on Jackstands.
- remove the axle nut and washer.
- remove the brake caliper (2 13mm bolts on backside of caliper) bolts, the using a screwdriver lightly pry between the to center fo the rotor and the caliper.
- hang the caliper out of the way using some wire, I ussauaaly sit it on the lower control arm.
- slide the rotor off the hub.
- remove the ABS Wheel Sensor (1 8mm bolt) (note: this may not be necessary, just a precaution)
- Loosen the 3 13mm bolts on the back side of the hub assembly, loosen then until the bolt does not protrude through the front of the hub assembly.
- lightly tap on the bolt with a hammer to drive the hub assembly out of the steering knuckle and finish removing the 3 bolts.
*NOTE: the book says to tap on the hub assembly to remove it from the steering knuckle which will work fine in this case, but may cause damage to the hub assembly - I know it doesn't matter in this case, since you are replacing it, but for the future if you are removing the hub to replace and axle shaft or such, I would tap on the bolts and not the hub to remove it.


I know this seems like alot of work from just reading it, but it's really not that much work at all, you could easily have each side done in about an hour while working cautiously.

[Goldfishy]

Wow, thanks there, DKSOB81, your instructions seems easier to follow for some reason.

Okay, got some confidence in me now. Going to print this out and work on them this weekend, or maybe earlier now, lol.

One more reason to make some worthy purchases at the AZ and add that 1 7/16" socket along with some other knick-knacks I need.

Thanks again for the step-by-step to a wanna-be mechanic.

[dksob81]

Originally Posted by Goldfishy

Wow, thanks there, DKSOB81, your instructions seems easier to follow for some reason.

Okay, got some confidence in me now. Going to print this out and work on them this weekend, or maybe earlier now, lol.

One more reason to make some worthy purchases at the AZ and add that 1 7/16" socket along with some other knick-knacks I need.

Thanks again for the step-by-step to a wanna-be mechanic.

also, I would recommend getting some PB Blast (not WD-40 or liquid Wrech, I dunno for some reason this stuff amazes me....lol) and soaking that axle nut with it, I would do this a day or so before replacing the hubs, just so it has enough time to loosen up any rust and whatever has built up over the years. getting the axle nut loose will prolly be the biggest difficulty, also might want to invest in a good breaker bar.