Loud Wapping in front end.

[Tremblor]

I get a loud wapping sound in the front end. I pulled both front tires off, removed hubs, spindles, and stub axles, also inspecting all the bearings and splines... every looks brand new. I decided to see if the sound came from the differential so i plunked the stub axle shaft back into the differential and span it, sure enough its making a loud clunking sounds, kinda like gears normally meshing together but a lot louder and more clunky. If I pulll the driver side axle out of the differential and spin the passanger side axle the sound goes away, or at least until it sounds like gears normally meshing together. Any ideas? could it be the carrier bearings? Help would be appreciated.

Also, i need to know what i need to do to actually pull the front traction beam off to expose the differential, and if i do the carrier bearings in the diff, will i have to re-lash the gears?

Or should i skip all this and just pay some mechanic to do it for me?

It's a 1992 Explorer with a 5 speed manual trans, manual Warn locking hubs, and a manual locking transfer case. no electronics. The sound is also there whether the truck is in 4x4 or 2x4.

 

[Anime]

Assuming the front hubs are unlocked, and the transfer case is in 2Hi (or 4WD is off on the electric transfer case), you shouldn't be getting any noise from the front gears since they won't be moving. If they are moving, hubs unlocked and in 2WD, you've got transfer case issues.

The front gears are clunky when they are working perfectly. Mine clunks into 4WD loudly and proudly every time without fail. TTB D35 gears that engage smoothly and quietly would be quite impressive.

My guess on a wapping sound would be something more along the lines of tires/wheels (tire tread/belt issue, wheel balance issue, etc.) or something with the brakes, hubs, etc. You might also want to get someone else in the vehicle (or even outside it) and have them try to pinpoint the location of the noise. Sometimes it may sound like it's coming from the front, but the sound is getting bounced around. Could be something on the rear.

Usually when there's a motion-induced noise, I just inspect all the moving parts for anything obvious, and if I can't find any suspects, start pulling wheels and things like you did. I'd say inspect all the other moving parts, including the rear, and if you find nothing, get a buddy and see if you can pinpoint the location to narrow down your inspection area to find out what it is.

 

[akbossman]

My grandma is missing

Are you dragging some one???? lol

 

[Tremblor]

Front end wapping

So, i havent really checked to see if the front end moves when in 2HI, but i can spin the driveshaft, so im assuming its unlocked. Tire wapping sounds like a good idea, ill swap the tires and see if that helps. But I also took both front stub axles out of the front diff. What i did was place te passanger side stub axle in, span it by hand and i could faintly hear gears meshing together, then if i leave that one in, and spin the driver side one by hand, its the same sound effect but much louder and clunkier. but i guess that doesnt matter... considering the Tcase isnt locked in and the sound is there in 2 and 4 wheel drive. I'll change out the tires and see what happens. Thanks for the advice. Oh yea, i have also pulled the truck into my work bay with a pit, and check every U joint and all moving parts. They all seem tight as a tiger. I also looked for a grandma but i couldn't find one

 

[Tremblor]

Oh yea, and you can't feel any vibrations, and also, you can not hear it at a certian point as you slow down. I think... I'll go do some more diagnostics and let you know what i come up with. Also... when i hit the brakes the truck turns to the right pretty hardcore, both front calipars are new. I was wondering, just like old chevs, if i go in reverse and slam the brakes on does it auto set the rear drums? if i drive beside those 2 foot tall barrieres along a road where i do 70-80kmh i cannot hear any noise rebounding off the barrieres.

 

[Tremblor]

and its a manual transfer case, shifters on the floor.

 

[Anime]

If you hit the brakes and the truck goes right, you've got brake issues.

The rear drums do adjust when you drive backwards and nail the brakes, but the rear drums aren't typically enough to cause the truck to change direction when braking...unless maybe they're REALLY tight.

I'd say you're looking at something related to the front brakes. Even though the calipers are new, one could be sticking or defective, or it could even be a brake hose or line.

You might have a sticky caliper that isn't sliding on the slide pins and then rubs one pad hard on the rotor sometimes...making a wapping noise when it makes contact. Check out the pads for funny wear, if one pad (probably on the right side) is worn a whole lot more than the other, you've found it.

Of course, the wapping noise and the braking pull to the side could be unrelated to each other as well.

 

[burgundy1994xlt]

Next time yer in there make sure them brake pads have the anti-rattle clips on them in case that might be it.