[RT Mark]

I hear an occasional "clicking" sound coming from my right front when I'm backing up. I put the front end up today, and everything checked out okay visually. I put the trans and transfercase in neutral and spun the wheels. The right front one had a distinct but soft "clunk" when I went back and forth. The left one didn't.

What could this be, CV joints, axels, front diff?

 

[DurangoPaul]

Since the noise is coming from the wheel area, it's probably not the diff. It could be the CV, bearing, or brakes. Pull the tire off to better isolate where it's coming from. Pull the boot back and look at the CV joint and watch it as you turn the hub. Watch the brake rotor as you turn the hub, it may not be true and pushing the caliper assembly as the wheel turns. Could be bearing, but that isn't the normal sound of a bad bearing.

 

[Volphin]

CV

CV joints click as you take corners if they have failed. If it happens when turning left, you're loading the right side of the suspension and right CVJ and the opposite on right turns? it'd be the left CVJ. I'd suspect bearing before those meaty CVJs though. Worth a look to ensure no torn boots though.

My 2¢

Bill

 

[RT Mark]

Paul,

I did pull the wheel and turn the hub. At my slow hand turning speed, I couldn't produce the clicking sound. I couldn't tell if the rotor was warped, but I don't think it's, I have the Viper Brakes with Baer rotors. The boots on the VC joints lookes fine, no tears or leaking grease.

Volphin,

It could be the bearing, because all my checks were done with the front end up, so there was no load on the bearing. However, in my checks I was unable to isolate the sound to the bearing.

Who can tell me about the bearing?
Is it a press type in that sets in the spindle?
Is it an easy swap, or do I have to take the whole spindle off?

The sound is only present when I'm backing up.

Thanks for the input guys.

 

[QuickSilver]

Mark-
The bearing is sold with the hub as an assembly. It's pressed into the hub and held with a snap ring. Hub swap isn't hard on a 2WD? pull the caliper and rotor, then remove spindle nut and remove hub (probably more to it on a 4WD, due to front shafts.) Nut is one of the nylon locking types, with a warning cast into it: Do Not Reuse. New nut is about $10 at dealer parts dept. 4WD hubs are left & right side specific, 2WD work on either side. You also have to specify if all-wheel ABS or rear only. Car Quest had some of the better prices, last time I checked (approx 18 mos ago.) Around $150 a piece for 4WD hubs, $100 for 2WD. New hub has wheel lugs already pressed into it. Hope this helps.