Bad front end noise just got worse

[Yamifixer]

I have a 93 Navajo and yesterday morning it started a clicking/grinding noise in the front end. It sounded like the hubs were trying to engage but i wasn't in 4wd. Last evening i rebuilt the hubs and cleaned everythingin there. While it was in the air i noticed the drivers side lower ball joint was bad and figured i would change it this weekend. This morning it got much worse and the sound is coming from the passenger side. Is the ball joint connected to this noise? can i drive this home without braking something.

Just once I like for it to need work when it is warm outside.

 

[homerbundy]

The ball joint wouldn't cause a grinding sound. I have currently some annoying sound that's caused by the inner brake pads. I had to replace them but they didn't come with the clips that keep 'em in place inside the calipers.

The hubs can cause a clicking sound when they're installed in the right position. But I would check the bearings and rotors first now that you've checked the hubs already. It could also be a worn out universal joint, but that shouldn't be hearable while the 4x4 isn't engaged...

 

[DeRocha]

Did you pack the HUBS with grease after you cleaned them?

 

[Yamifixer]

No that is why i had to clean them. I had greased them the last time I had it apart to replace the rotors. I thought maybe that was why the noise started in the first place.
I cleaned all the grease out put in new bearings and reassembled them.

 

[DeRocha]

I'm glad you didn't pack the hubs since they only get a light film of grease to prevent rust. You said the noise happens with the hubs unlocked (2WD). What happens if you engage 4x4 and the hubs lock? As soon as the hubs lock you can disengage 4x4. My auto hubs used to make a whine/clicking noise that became louder with the sharpness of a turn. If I engaged 4x4 the autohubs locked and the noise went away. I good cleaning of the hubs solved my noisy hub problem. Also, how old are the wheel bearings and did you correctly torque them down (The final torque should be 16 in/lbs)?

 

[Yamifixer]

yes i torqued them per the spec. and I had just repacked the wheel bearings about 10months ago.
It sounds exacty like you descibed worse if if turn shar[ly left and goes away in 4WD.
I had sent the original message from work yesterday and was a little concerned about getting it home but it didn't make the noise at all the whole way home. I have decided to play hooky today and change the ball joint. Thanks for your help I'll let you know how it goes.

Dave

 

[DeRocha]

It is definitely your autohubs then. When I cleaned my autohubs I soaked them in paint thinner for 2+ hours and would periodically rotate the splines around. I would then drain the hub over an old coffee can or jar for 10+ minutes and repeat the process until the crud coming out looked not so cruddy. I would then drain the hub for 1+ hour to ensure all the paint thinner was removed. I then would soak the hub in ATF (tranny fluid) for 30+minutes while periodically rotating the splines. Drain the hubs and re-install.. I did this a few years back and haven't had a problem since.

Good luck on replacing your ball joint. I've been there and done that. I reeplace all my Ball joints and U-joints 2yrs ago so if you have any problems or get stuck shoot me a msg. The job isn't that bad, but a few parts are a PITA to remove. Check out this Spindle removal thread.