99 EB 5.0 AWD Whining from drivetrain

[WhoSHOdadE]

I just bought a 99 EB with the 5.0 AWD on Friday. When i test drove it, it had been making a whining noise from 0 up until about 40 mph, and seemed to go away at higher speeds, and also when turning left or right at those lower speeds. I thought the noise was coming from the tires. Anyway, as far as I can tell, it seems the noise is coming from the transfer case or some part of the front drivetrain, as the noise only comes from the front of the truck, and the noise changes with speed, regardless of which gear the transmission is in. I am hoping to avoid a huge problem by posting for some guidance in this situation, before its too late. thanks guys.

 

[97BlackX5.0]

are all the tires the exact same type size and air pressure... assuming so i would check the fluid level in your transfer case.... if it feels like its binding up it could be the coupler inside the transfer case starting to freeze up.

 

[WhoSHOdadE]

all the tires are new and the same. it doesnt feel like its binding.... the noise goes away when i make left turns. does not go away when i make right turns. weird

 

[sunsport186]

check for play at front yoke. could be pinion bearings going bad. i had this happen to me . good luck

 

['97 V8]

at low speeds.....it could be one of two things...cv is worn out and or ball joints would need replacing. Is the noise coming directly from underneath you or up front a little

 

[IZwack]

I would start off with the simple things before diving into the more complex. Here are a few simple checks:

- brake calipers, a pad could be dragging on a rotor, hence the noise going away when making a left turn but not during right turns. calipers are supposed to "float" but sometimes they dont. park the vehicle, put on stands, remove front wheels, leave the vehicle in Park, start the engine, mash on the brake pedal a few times, stop the engine, then see where the front calipers are sitting. they should still have a little bit of left AND right movement.

- brake pads, some brake pads are design to "squeel" when they are almost worn down to warn the driver. support the vehicle with jack stands, remove both front wheels, remove brake calipers, and check for pad thickness.

- perhaps a wheel bearing is near the end of its life. with both front tires still on the vehicle, support the vehicle with jack stands, and check for lateral (forwards and backwards, up and down) play on each wheel.

 

[lechip]

On my 99XLT V8 AWD - I had a whining noise from 43K up to the present 73K.
It would whine from around 45 mph up to around 53mph then would go away at higher speeds.
I recently had the rear drive shaft and U joint replace and that seamed to take care of most of the noise.

 

[01EB5.0]

I would start off with the simple things before diving into the more complex. Here are a few simple checks:

- brake calipers, a pad could be dragging on a rotor, hence the noise going away when making a left turn but not during right turns. calipers are supposed to "float" but sometimes they dont. park the vehicle, put on stands, remove front wheels, leave the vehicle in Park, start the engine, mash on the brake pedal a few times, stop the engine, then see where the front calipers are sitting. they should still have a little bit of left AND right movement.

- brake pads, some brake pads are design to "squeel" when they are almost worn down to warn the driver. support the vehicle with jack stands, remove both front wheels, remove brake calipers, and check for pad thickness.

- perhaps a wheel bearing is near the end of its life. with both front tires still on the vehicle, support the vehicle with jack stands, and check for lateral (forwards and backwards, up and down) play on each wheel.

I had the same issue with my AWD. Come to find out my front wheel bearing was going. i did not know until i took the CV off to do ball joints, but the bearing made noise even spinning it by hand. just watch out a new bearing assembly is like $175