Front end noise

[TippsTheFoo]

Guys, just picked up a '00 XLT 4-dr 4x4 (4.0, AT) and it's making an awkward noise in the front end.

It's a grinding/groaning sound at low speed while in gear. It happens when accelerating 0-20 mph-ish and stopping 20-0 mph-ish. It goes away completely at higher speed. It happens while in a straight line or turning. It does not make the sound when you drop it in neutral and coast to a stop.

From searching a bit I'm thinking it could be either one or both front rotors. Possibly that whomever owned this previously replaced the pads but didn't turn the rotors. Maybe?

Or does this sound like something completely different? I doubt it's normal.

Thoughts?

-Matt :exp:

 

[drake437]

Does it go away as soon as the transmission shifts to second? My 01 whines in first gear, as soon as it shifts to second it's fine. Not really a problem just annoying.

 

[TippsTheFoo]

Well, I just went out and drove it for a bit and I've got to change my description slightly.


The noise seems to happen not directly from a start or stop, but right in the 10-20 mph area. It's not really a grinding (at least not a metal/metal sound) - it's hard to explain. It almost sounds more like a rubbing or tire noise.

drake, it may just occur in 1st gear. I wasn't closely paying attention to the trans shifting, but that is possible.

It's just this different noise that pops in from 10-20, a groan/rub sound.

I don't know. Maybe normal?

 

[madvette74]

I could be way off, but does the abs light come on?

 

[Philip]

By any chance have you just put new tires on ?

 

[TippsTheFoo]

The ABS light does not come on.

The tires look new(er), but we've only had it for a few days after buying it so I'm not sure of their exact age.

 

[mentalattica]

could be bearings.....

 

[TippsTheFoo]

After reading through more threads here I'm leaning toward bearings myself.

How do I determine if they are bad? Or which side to replace, if not both?

It's a 2000 4x4 with 54k miles. Do bearings tend to go that quickly?

 

[mentalattica]

one thing you can do to determine if it is the bearings is when it makes the sound swerve to one side or the other (not at high speeds) if the sound immediately ceases there's a good possibility that it is your bearings.... anyone feel free to comment or correct me if I am wrong.

I had to replace my bearings in my Grand Prix twice within a year.

 

[Blee1099]

On the 4WD units, they are sealed so unfortunately and integrated into the hub assembly. To determine if its your hub/wheel bearing assembly, I recommend putting the front end on jack stands and try to push the tire in toward the engine compartment. If you notice the CV axles are moving in & out then chances are the hub assemblies are going bad. On my last set I changed out, I had a faint sound coming from the driver side from about 0-30 MPH, once I got home, I inspected the hub assembly by pushing the tire in & out and watching the cv axle move. I also took the tire off and inspected the hub assembly the same way by pushing it toward the engine compartment to see if there is noticable amount of play. Typically you will hear a faint sound coming from the front end on that side. If you start hearing grinding or the steering wheel jerks in to one side then immediately stop driving and have it towed. You will seize the hub assembly & cv axle together if there is enough friction causing a fire. Depending on how many miles you have on your truck, I say that is the culprit.