Tires? Wheel beraings? HELP!!

[phishmun2001]

I have a 2000 Jeep Cherokee 4.0 4wd. There is a rubbing noise from the front end. It sounds like a tire is low on air. wub wub wub It gets worse when i turn the corner. I replaced the right wheel bearing, but the noise did not stop. I did get new tires in the summer, and they are do for a rotation. I'm outta ideas. Do you think that the tires could have been balanced wrong? I don't wanna replace aonther wheel bearing if I have to, they are 120 a pop. Any ideas would be greatful.

[fredjacksonsan]

Did the noise start when you got the tires, or recently? How many miles on the vehicle? Since the rotation is due, go ahead and do it and see.

Did you get larger tires than you had before? If so, they could be rubbing on the frame or suspension components. Have someone watch as you do a sharp turn (safe area, of course) and see.

[phishmun2001]

I had the tires rotated and balanced. No change. The noise is actually louder at lowers speeds. The tires are the same size as before. The noise is more noticable when I take turns either way. Could it be another wheel bearing?

[AlohaBra]

Best thing to do is to put it up in the air on a lift or on four jack stands and then run it. Do variations, in drive, then four wheel drive and two wheel drive combinations.

Don't overlook the u-joints in the front axle.

[phishmun2001]

I replaced one of the ujoints on the right side tire already. You think it could be the axle u-joint? Why would the nboise get louder on turns? I'm gonna try and throw it up on some jack stands.

[dave92cherokee]

Also don't forget to check the ball joints, tie rod end's, driveshaft u-joints, and u joint's at the wheels for any play or wear. Sounds like it's a u-joint at the wheel where the axle comes out of the tube and then meets the hub. The reason it seems louder at slow speeds is that it's going slower so it moves more when you're going faster the momentum keeps it in place a little more causing a little less noise. I recently had the ujoints in my rear driveshaft crap out on me and one was so bad that when I took it out one of the shafts had all the needle bearings missing and the ujoint end was almost ground in half so luckily I caught it in time.

[sector95]

Good ideas already posted.

Some additional thoughts.... you are obviously on a budget, but....typically when you replace wheel bearings (and yeah the XJ "bearing assemblies" aren't cheap) you do them in a pair...same goes with U-joints (axle or driveshaft). If one part is worn then the other is probably not far behind.

Tires...are they stock size (225/75R15's are OEM size) or did you get much larger tires (235/75R15's are common replacements for the harder to find 225's)?

What side of the your Jeep is the noise coming from? After eliminating any tire rub possibilities, I would suspect an axle u-joint is going/gone bad. Is there any kind of odd feedback through the steering wheel (jerkiness, etc)? Put the front end up on jack stands and turn the wheels hard left or right.... then rotate each front wheel by hand; they should spin smoothly with no jerkiness, binding or undue resistance. If you feel any of these things then your axle u-joint on that side it probably toast. What about your front driveshaft u-joints? Since these don't get used as often as the rear ones, there is a possibilty they are going bad also. If you never or very infrequently use 4WD then the grease in the front driveshaft joints can dry out over time.

Mike
00XJ