thumping in front end

[caminofan]

recently my '99 venture has been making a thumoing noise from the front end.only does it when i coast or glide.no substancial shake coming through to the steering wheel.i tend to think it may be an axle;but i'm not getting the clicking noise normally associated with a cv joint.any input?thanks.

[merc81]

Not clear to me what kind of noise you are getting. Do you feel a vibration or is it a random thump once in a while?
Front bearings tend to make a slight rumble, steady vibration that starts out very faint, then just gets worse every day. Turning left or right slightly makes it quit for a moment. CV joints make a click that you really notice on the uphill turns.

Just my experiences --you need to listen to the sound carefully and post back again.
John

[caminofan]

the sound is rather subtle.if you had the radio up,youprobably wouldn't hear it.really notice it after accelerating;upon backing down off the gas.also,when you start going down a hill and let off the gas.almost feels like the cv joint is unbalanced.i really don't know what to think.every cv joint i've ever dealt with clicks.also,put wheel bearings in less than a year ago.front end is tight ,as well.

[merc81]

Hmmm. sounds like you may just have to wait for it to get worse. I'd put my money on the wheel bearing though. I had a Napa one fail after a few months.
John

[rockwood84]

have you checked the tires for a bump in one of the front ones. had a set of tires on a couple years ago and had a thump in the front end . pulled the tires off and one had a bump where the belts are joineded.did the same thing taking off and cruising the road little noise .let off the gas and it would thump.i was suprised that the tire didn't wobble at slow speeds.