In the last day I started to notice a strange sound emanating from approximately the front right wheel. It's a sort of whirring sound... kinda like someone put a baseball card in the spokes of my wheel. It's definitely speed dependent, not RPM dependent. So I'm fairly certain that it is drive line based. Since it seems to be dominant on the right side, i'm guessing this might be a failed (or failing) wheel bearing. Any thoughts? My plan is to jack the rig up tomorrow and spin the wheel and see if I can hear any crunchiness. However opinions on what it might be or how to diagnose would be appreciated.
Gorf
Your plan seems like a reasonable place to start. Once you have more specific information on the location of the noise, then someone can help guess what the problem is.
Here's a trick that can help identify what side the noise is coming from (although in your case you said it's coming from the right side) -
At about 40-50 miles an hour turn quite sharply right. If the noise goes away, the problem is probably on the right side of the vehicle (because by turning right, you are putting weight on left side wheels, and taking some weight off right side wheels.
This is how I have identified that my rear right wheel bearing needs replacing.
I haven't done the repair yet - I don't have the necessary 'press' to get the Bearing out of the hub. Probably requires at least a 10 ton press to remove old bearing and insert new. It is possible that I'll need a new hub if there's issues getting the bearing out. I've got a quote from a local shop that does this kind of stuff all the time, and it'll be around 3 hours / $300. May or may not need to remove entire knuckle assembly.
I have the time to fix it, so I'm considering buying a heavy duty press and doing it myself. Harbor Freight sell some that have actually got pretty good reviews. They also sell the various sized tools that are needed to remove and re-insert various sized bearings from different housings, suspension parts, etc.
I'm not sure what's involved with replacing the Front wheel bearings - Good luck.
By the way, my noise is a 'hum' rather than a 'clatter'.
At about 40-50 miles an hour turn quite sharply right. If the noise goes away, the problem is probably on the right side of the vehicle (because by turning right, you are putting weight on left side wheels, and taking some weight off right side wheels.
This is how I have identified that my rear right wheel bearing needs replacing.
I haven't done the repair yet - I don't have the necessary 'press' to get the Bearing out of the hub. Probably requires at least a 10 ton press to remove old bearing and insert new. It is possible that I'll need a new hub if there's issues getting the bearing out. I've got a quote from a local shop that does this kind of stuff all the time, and it'll be around 3 hours / $300. May or may not need to remove entire knuckle assembly.
I have the time to fix it, so I'm considering buying a heavy duty press and doing it myself. Harbor Freight sell some that have actually got pretty good reviews. They also sell the various sized tools that are needed to remove and re-insert various sized bearings from different housings, suspension parts, etc.
I'm not sure what's involved with replacing the Front wheel bearings - Good luck.
By the way, my noise is a 'hum' rather than a 'clatter'.
Diagnosing all this stuff through forums is always quite difficult. It's almost impossible to put into text the type of sounds that you are hearing.
Ok, jacked the car up and free spun the front wheels. Both sound fine and don't have the usual grinding noise I expect to hear from a failing bearing. Being that the sound is speed dependent that kinda leaves the diff right? I know there were some concerns about the front-end diff for these rigs. I'm not sure if mine has been updated. Any reasonable ways to rule out the diff as a potential cuprit? I'm trying to avoid the "drive it till it breaks" troubleshooting methodology. :-?
Ok, jacked the car up and free spun the front wheels. Both sound fine and don't have the usual grinding noise I expect to hear from a failing bearing. Being that the sound is speed dependent that kinda leaves the diff right? I know there were some concerns about the front-end diff for these rigs. I'm not sure if mine has been updated. Any reasonable ways to rule out the diff as a potential cuprit? I'm trying to avoid the "drive it till it breaks" troubleshooting methodology. :-?
look at the front diff and driveshaft connection,
it should have a rubber boot on it and and look quite similar to the connection on the other end of the front driveshaft,
if they look the same then the diff upgrade has been done,
now that doesnt mean that your front diff is OK,
the dealer may have not used all new parts to effect repair so a trip to the dealer may be in store,
and it may be covered under a warranty
it should have a rubber boot on it and and look quite similar to the connection on the other end of the front driveshaft,
if they look the same then the diff upgrade has been done,
now that doesnt mean that your front diff is OK,
the dealer may have not used all new parts to effect repair so a trip to the dealer may be in store,
and it may be covered under a warranty
Did you ever get to the bottom of what the noise was ? I have a new "ting ting ting" sound coming from front left wheel in my L320 (72K miles) - also sounds like something metallic clanging on wheel spokes ! Took wheel off - no obvious grinding sounds if you spin it - (but I guess with no weight on the wheel it would be harder to hear) - diff does seem to have some play in it - not sure if that is normal (with trans in neutral) I can turn drive shaft slightly back and forwards in both directions.
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