Strange Noise from front Wheels

[BenBB]

Hi,
When i am driving i have noticed lately that it has been steadly getting louder. When driving down the highway for instance it's not like a loud howl like the 4 wheel is on, but its not. Also whenever i take a left turn it sounds like the wheel is rubbing aganist the fender or something, but i had my friend drive the car and turn, and as far as i can see it's not hitting at all. I don't know much about the front end's or wheel assembely's, but are there bearings that could have possibly gone out or something of that nature. Thanks.

[eraseraj]

My Father had this problem with his 1997 jeep grand. I dont know the whole story, but it had to do with the transfer case and draging the tire when a sharp turn was made.


- Hope this helps you find the problem

-Andrew

[BenBB]

Yea my transfer case is not in good shape either.

[studious03]

yea i have the same issue on mine its a howl sound going at high speeds from the front wheels. and when i make a sharp turn right or left seems like the tires are rubbing... isn't that the pinion bearings worn? i haven't replaced mine to be exact but thats my guess....

[dksob81]

Sounds like your Wheels bearings are goping bad. Jack the front end up so the tires are of the ground and grab the top and bottom of the tire, rock the wheel back and forth, does it move? If so the wheel bearings/hub assembly are bad.

[BenBB]

Alright ill try that thanks. Is it fairly difficult to do yourself or no?

[Goldfishy]

Originally Posted by BenBB

Alright ill try that thanks. Is it fairly difficult to do yourself or no?

http://www.automotiveforums.com/vbul...d.php?t=461047

I had the same problem as you did, if you think so too, follow #13 thread from dksob81, print it out. Was it easy? Considering I'm only a weekend mechanic at best, it was not as bad as I thought. Make sure you buy both LH and RH wheel hub/bearings, since they're both prone to go out and if you find you have the time, it's easier to do the other side once you got one side mastered. Me, I waited several weeks later to do the other side, since it was not making noise and replaced when it did.

One test I did was to put the tranny into neutral at different speeds, and both speeding and slowing down, if the noise still there, it's the wheel bearings (about $100 per each wheel bearing/hub at your local auto parts stores). Can't just replaced the bearings unless you can find some places that sells that bearing alone. G/L.

[BenBB]

Alright ill check that out thanks for that post, hopfully i will get around to it this weekend? Thanks.

[BenBB]

Today i jacked the front of my jeep up and checked the too see if the wheel rocked back and forth, and it didnt. So i dont think that it is the bearings, but does anyone else know what it could be? Thanks.