2002 4x4 -- Brakes with rapid pulsating and clicking sounds

[SyberTiger]

I'm guessing that it's an ABS issue. WIth the clicking noise and pulsating I'm too chicken to drive it out of the community and at high speed so I drove it about 5 to 15 mph and it pulsates and make noise almost like grinding popping here and there but not constant kind of like when 4x4 is active. In fact, one time the 4x4 High light lit up and stayed lit up (not flashing) but no Service Engine Light ever came on. I unhook the battery overnight to reset the computer but that didn't do anything but make the 4x4 High light go out and stay out. When I backed-up slowly one there was a clunk sound and you could feel the clunk...just one pop.

As I recall, if it's the wheel sensors in the hubs there would be a light come on or flash. I kind of feel like it's the ABS system. Hard to figure out without any idiot lights on or SEL where I could scan a code. Uneven tire wear is a possibility. Where should I start in order to pinpoint the issue?

 

[fordysenior]

I would jack up each tire and check for wobble with my hands at the 9:00 & 3:00 position, then the 12:00 & 6:00 position. Maybe you have a bad bearing. Also, I'd check the condition of the parking brakes -- the pads have been known to separate from the mounts. Then they're just laying loose inside (like when I drove with the parking brake on).

 

[SyberTiger]

I would jack up each tire and check for wobble with my hands at the 9:00 & 3:00 position, then the 12:00 & 6:00 position. Maybe you have a bad bearing. Also, I'd check the condition of the parking brakes -- the pads have been known to separate from the mounts. Then they're just laying loose inside (like when I drove with the parking brake on).

I'm familiar with the hub issue. I don't think that's it this time.

 

[SyberTiger]

I pulled the #22 fuse from the cabin fuse box under the instrument panel which is for the ABS, IVD CONTROLLER. The problem disappeared but of course no ABS when you do that. And as expected when you put the fuse back in the problem comes back. The clunk you get when you intially back out from the driveway is clearly the ABS system enabling the brake on one wheel then clunks when it lets go. With the fuse back in the 4x4 HIGH light came on and stayed on plus the pulsating came back.

I'm going to see if my Torque App or FORScan software with ODB2 scanner can give me a hint if a particular wheel is causing the issue.

 

[SyberTiger]

From a FORScan graph I just logged --- one of these is not like the others. I suppose I should first check the sensor wire on the front right side but could be the sensor just failing. I'll check for play in the hub too.

 

[SyberTiger]

I stand corrected. WIth the front wheels jacked up I did the 3-9 and 12-6 position test and was disappointed to find the front right side bearing shot. The front left was fine. I'm disappointed because both front wheel hubs were replaced 50k miles ago with SKF wheel hubs that have TImken bearings in them. The original factory hubs lasted 118k miles; more than twice as long. Seems like I may have well went with cheap Chinese wheel hubs. I'm going to replace both sides again. I think I'll try Moog wheel hubs this time.

 

[fordysenior]

I had the same good luck with my factory bearings. I had the same bad luck with the aftermarket ones. I'm trying the Motorcraft ones.

 

[SyberTiger]

Today, I changed out both wheel hubs in the front with Moog components. Fixed the issue of course. Rides very quiet compared to before. I guess the gradual increase in noise due to the worn bearings isn't that noticeable until you put new ones in...LOL.