Hey guys. The vehicle in question is my 02 2wd. I am recognizing a increased noise lately. It sounds like I am constantly driving on cement, not the typical wheel bearing "whomp whomp". The front bearings were already changed, and I had a bit of problems with the passengers side hub until they were recalled and then I had no more problems with it. I am 90% sure this noise is coming from the passenger rear of the truck though. I jacked up the truck a few days ago and checked for slack, all wheels are tight at all 4 corners. I have no idea how to check for bad rear bearings or pinion bearings. Road surface does not matter. Other relavent information, the exhaust is magnaflow dumped just in front of axle, tires are 33" Terra Grapplers with approx 15k on them, they have also been rotated- no change in noise. The diff fluid was changed less then 5k miles ago. Anyone who has ever run a gator back belt will know what the noise I am trying to describe is, like the first 500 miles on a new gator back belt. Also no change in noise steering around curves either left or right. Thanks for any ideas.
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Whine. Bearing?
- Thread starter 97f150
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I see u r from Lousiana, so ur truck maybe haunted, just kidding. Large tires and deep tread can play all kind of tunes, best way to make sure, run it with street tires if this is possible or something close to it. Im guessing ..........
Don't assume a front bearing hasn't gone bad just because it's fairly new. To check them jack up the front and have someone spin each front tire by hand while pressing inwards fairly hard where their hand touches the sidewall of the tire while you sit inside the truck. If you hear the noise, that bearing is the culprit. Alternatively, push the brake pads away from the rotor and see if you feel any rumbliness while turning the bearing. Front wheel bearing noises also typically change in volume when going around a curve to the left or right.
If it's a rear wheel bearing making noise it can be a bit more difficult. If you can get the rear axle safely supported with the wheels off the ground and the truck positively immobilised, you can put a mechanics stethoscope to the end of the axle tube right about where the bearings live and also at the center section. With somebody else "driving" the truck you should be able to detect where the noise is coming from. If you don't have a mechanic's stethoscope (these can cost more than $10 for even a basic one) and don't want to drive to a store that sells one, you can easily make a one-ear stethoscope by jamming a bit of metal rod or similar stick-like object into a piece of rubber hose or tubing that it fits into very snugly. The open end of the hose goes to your ear.
Keep in mind that other driveline bearings going bad and irregular tire wear are things than can produce noises similar to a wheel bearing.
If it's a rear wheel bearing making noise it can be a bit more difficult. If you can get the rear axle safely supported with the wheels off the ground and the truck positively immobilised, you can put a mechanics stethoscope to the end of the axle tube right about where the bearings live and also at the center section. With somebody else "driving" the truck you should be able to detect where the noise is coming from. If you don't have a mechanic's stethoscope (these can cost more than $10 for even a basic one) and don't want to drive to a store that sells one, you can easily make a one-ear stethoscope by jamming a bit of metal rod or similar stick-like object into a piece of rubber hose or tubing that it fits into very snugly. The open end of the hose goes to your ear.
Keep in mind that other driveline bearings going bad and irregular tire wear are things than can produce noises similar to a wheel bearing.
Wheel bearings [when going South [uhh... bad]] generally don't whine.
I suspect gears or tires.
I suspect gears or tires.
97f150
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Oookkkaaayy. Took it to the Dodge house today to get the alignment checked. Was planning on doing this anyhow due to the accident I was in a few weeks ago. I asked them to check the bearings as well, they said they were fine. The tech heard the noise as well, said tires. There is no slack in the u joints, but I gave them a few shots of grease anyway until fresh grease came out, also checked the gear fluid, it was fine. The noise is still there.
The alignment was off, and adjusted. Noise is still there though not as bad. Still sounds like its coming from the rear though. Im at a loss, thinking it could be the pinion bearing or something. I googled and read on the tires I have on there, and they are not known to be noisy, even when worn. Possible that the alignment issue caused some funny wear making them noisy? I cant see anything abnormal.
Oh, I also noticed in my original post I put the year but not the details of the truck. 2002 Dodge Ram 1500 2wd.
The alignment was off, and adjusted. Noise is still there though not as bad. Still sounds like its coming from the rear though. Im at a loss, thinking it could be the pinion bearing or something. I googled and read on the tires I have on there, and they are not known to be noisy, even when worn. Possible that the alignment issue caused some funny wear making them noisy? I cant see anything abnormal.
Oh, I also noticed in my original post I put the year but not the details of the truck. 2002 Dodge Ram 1500 2wd.
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97f150
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Okay guys, I still haven't found an answer for this. I took a video to see if that may help some. The video runs from a stop up to 60 mph and back to a stop. The noise is downright horrible slowing down the last 15 mph or so.
http://i18.photobucket.com/albums/b150/bigdaddyII/Mobile/b520c6a5.mp4
I have no slack in the pinion flange with the wheels off the ground and truck in neutral, no slack at both rear wheels, and no gear oil loss or leaks. The truck also rides a bit rougher in te rear, not like a shake or vibration but I can feel the bumps a whole lot more. Thanks in advance for any more ideas.
http://i18.photobucket.com/albums/b150/bigdaddyII/Mobile/b520c6a5.mp4
I have no slack in the pinion flange with the wheels off the ground and truck in neutral, no slack at both rear wheels, and no gear oil loss or leaks. The truck also rides a bit rougher in te rear, not like a shake or vibration but I can feel the bumps a whole lot more. Thanks in advance for any more ideas.
97f150
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Sorry guys I am on my phone. Here is the video on YouTube.
Hate to say it, but does it sound something like:
Sounded like it was a bearing in the transmission in that case.
Sounded like it was a bearing in the transmission in that case.
Now u've done it, we will be seeing all kinds of vids from sparkplug removal to lugnut installs,lol.
97f150
Thread starter
Ooops sorry lol. I was just trying to pinpoint the noise lol. I fairly certain by now after speaking with several shops today that it is either the pinion bearing or carrier bearings. Dosent matter, either way itll be about $800 to fix. Thats for both because it does not make sense to rip the gears out to change one and not the other.
The one variance that I have heard from one shop is the bearing in the tailshaft of the transmission, which would actually be cheaper to fix then one of the diff bearings. We will see Wednesday or Thursday when I get off of work.
The one variance that I have heard from one shop is the bearing in the tailshaft of the transmission, which would actually be cheaper to fix then one of the diff bearings. We will see Wednesday or Thursday when I get off of work.
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