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Doom4life

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Discussion starter · #1 ·
I'm trying to figure out whats causing a howl/whine noise (it sounds like I have huge mud tires on my truck) that starts around 20MPH (~30km/h). It seems like it get a bit louder when turning right, but I have replaced the drivers side wheel hub and it didn't make a difference. I think you might be able to feel it faintly through the steering wheel and floorboard.

I do have a noisy bearing in the front axle, could this be causing it? I'm going nuts trying to find the source!
 
Discussion starter · #2 ·
Bump. Anyone?

I jsut want to make sure it's not something other then a noisy front differential bearing. The noise seems to be more noticeable when turning right but it does make noise going straight starting at around 20MPH.
 
Discussion starter · #5 ·
Both the driver's side and passenger's side wheel bearings were replaced in Feb '09 with SKF bearings. I replaced the driver's side two weeks ago and it did't fix the problem.

Perhaps the usual saying that the bad wheel bearing is opposite of the side that the driver is turning to produce the noise, doesn't apply to me here and I need to replace the passenger side bearing.

I'll order a new passenger side bearing and replace it, but can anyone explain why I'd be able to slightly feel the growling noise from the driver's side floor area? I'm assuming its because the vibration from the bad bearing would travel to my side, right?
 
Discussion starter · #6 ·
Further troubleshooting:

Sound is most apparent at approximately 18MPH. Go below that and the sound disappears quite quickly. Go faster then that and the sound slowly gets less noticable as the road nosie from the tires either drone it out or it disappears.

Going down a straight road going 18MPH and swaying the truck to the left and right using the entire road (I probably looked like I was drunk), made little difference. However, quickly turning the steering wheel left and right cause the noise to get slightly louder whenever the steering wheel was jerked to the right.

So it is confirmed that it only happens when making maneouvers that involve turning the steering wheel right.

I'm going to order a new passenger side wheel bearing. Aside from that, could it be anything else? What about the rear wheel bearings?
 
#8 ·
Since you can hear it at pretty low speeds, it may be worth driving down the road at that speed and have a buddy in the back leaning out the right and left windows to listen for the noise from the outside. Should be easier to narrow down where the noise is coming from that way at that low a speed. Noises like this can sometimes be hard to pinpoint when you are trying to listen from inside the cab.

Once you know if it is front/back, right/left, jack that corner up off the ground and remove the wheel and brake pads (just the pads). Then spin the wheel by hand listening closely for the grinding noise. May be easier with you under the truck listening and a buddy spinning the wheel. The reason you take the brake pads off is so that you don't mistake the normal sound of your pads rubbing against the rotors as your problem noise.

Good luck.. :drive:
 
Discussion starter · #10 ·
No, I haven't been able to diagnose the condition. However, as I mentioned previously, the bearings in the front diff are noisey (confirmed using a stethoscope) which is the only noise that my mechanic could find.

Unforunatly, I don't have the money to fix it at the moment, as I'd like to rebuild the rear diff as well (noisey pinion bearing) and change the gearing so it'll probably be a few more months before I can diagnose the problem if its not the bearings in the front.
 
#11 ·
I have the same sound. It has been driving me crazy as well. I had my mechanic check everything to no avail last year. At first my family said they didnt hear it but now its slightly louder and they can hear it too. It is right under the driver floorboard area. I am thinking it is a u joint or bearing in the front diff. Its noticeble at about the same speeds you mentioned. My local dealership keeps sending me a coupon for a something or other point inspection, tire rotation, amd oil change for 24.95. I think I am going to take it there and see what they find. I wont have them fix it but at least maybe they can diagnose.

Kevin
 
Discussion starter · #12 ·
Sounds similar to mine. As I posted previously, I took it to my mechanic and they put it up on a hoist in 4-Hi. With a stethoscope my front carrier bearing is quite noisey. Everything else in the front end is sound (hubs, tie rods, etc.) so I'm assuming its that.
 
#14 ·
4x4, 4.7 durango, 2002 very loud humming noise.

All tires hum so loud can barely hear radio. Balanced and rotated and equalized air pressure on all. Noise is louder the faster I go. Turning makes no noise. Absolutely no vibration, and no pull or drift.
1 hub is missing - that little 2" diameter cap, and a couple lugnut covers. Started right after right front tire sidewall slashed on curb avoiding a deer. Replace with ext same and all dynamiclly balanced and rotated.Ideas please!
 
#17 ·
Doom4life said:
Sounds similar to mine. As I posted previously, I took it to my mechanic and they put it up on a hoist in 4-Hi. With a stethoscope my front carrier bearing is quite noisey. Everything else in the front end is sound (hubs, tie rods, etc.) so I'm assuming its that.
Click to expand...
you might try rotating yer tires from front to rear before doing anything first....cupped tires will make what sounds like a bearing noise as well

Bryan
 
#18 ·
I agree. After a ton of frustration, with people telling me to replace my "wheel bearings", OMGosh as technology changes I realize how easy it used to be for my Dad when the current advanced 4 wheel drives werent around. Remember those bearings, tapered toward the axle on both sides, just replaced with new ones after gobbing them in grease.
Anyhow, the CV joints are I guess similiar, just more complex, different diagnostics and much more expensive.
A friend who has the tire shop I use and I took Durango for hard run - from 20- 80 we could hear the noise. And of course the hard right turn DOES make it quiet, so used to be that it was the opposite. Oh well, guess that doesn't work with CV's.....as we put each tire afterwards on a high rpm dynamic spinner/balancer - only the right front side made the ugly noise. I agree with one of our other mechanic friends' comment that it might be best to replace both. In my case definately, as this one was aparently damaged by a trauma ,,,,,, not gradual wear. You remember their was a left front recall and free replacement on the 01-03's? Check that out bro. Take care and keep us informed - dito here. Rich
 
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