Help-Front End problem

[climber211]

Guys I need some help. I travel for work and when driving the other day I notice loud noises from the front. He goes:

In low gear range sounds like a ticking/scraping noise. transmission shifts up to the next gear and I hear the same thing. Seems to do the same up to about 50 MPH. Now here is the kicker. From a standstill, if I jump on the gas from 0-60, I don;t hear the sound.

I drive around 60-70 and don;t hear the noise at the top range, seems only to be the bottom to middle range.

Thought it might be cv joints, but I don;t hear the noise when I make turns at low speeds - went to a parking lot and drove in circles.

Thought it might be drive shaft, but no clunking noise as I go through the gears

Am I missing something hear? Is there some kind of road test I can do to nail what is wrong? Thought about transfer case but I would think if it was the t-case, I would have the problems at all speeds.

My ex is a 96 with..yes...198,000 miles. I'm on vacation for one week and have to get it fix or I will have to trade.

Any help, thoughts, links, ANYTHING would be greatly appreciated.

 

[anthonytony]

bearing..i just changed one on my 2000. had the same noise you just described.

 

[climber211]

Thanks tony, I'm assuming you mean the front wheel bearings. Does anyone have a way I can check to make sure before I do the work? Thanks again guys for any help.

 

[haha]

Jack up the car put it on 4 stands and remove your tire. Have someone start the car and speed it up. Now you can go around the car and listen for the noise.

 

[anthonytony]

yes i mean the front wheel bearing 'jack it up and see if there's any play in the wheel (rock it back and fourth) .i paid a $194 dollars for the bearing at the local auto zone.

 

[Ranger Al]

Hey Anthonytony,

Do you replace the axle nut as well when you replace the hub assembly??? I read the Chilton and they said to replace it with new nut...

 

[anthonytony]

yes this is all one part ...........the bearing is not replaceable not like the old days lol.....it also had a new sending unit wire for the hub. gl used the same nut

 

[Ranger Al]

Looks like I am going to have to cought out $149.99 for new hub assembly. Thanks for the info...