Ranger 4x4 - help me ID the source of some tire/wheel/bearing/ or ? noise.

[fieldgrade]

2009 with 70K on the clock-

Right front brake pads are wearing faster than the left so I'm taking it in to have a look Monday. Truck doesn't pull under braking.

Here's my real question. What would cause my Michelin LTXs to start sounding like off road tires? I don't think it's the tires, but if it is they are kept inflated, rotated, and I can feel no feathering on the treads that would cause this roaring. ( I busted tires and turned wrenches at Sears in high school so I have a decent idea what it feels like) They were pretty quiet till now. Maybe 20k on them.

Wheel bearings?

Issues with the four wheel drive? (That I rarely use)

 

[Sp00ks]

I have a 2003 Tundra w/180k and it's doing basically the same thing as you describe. I'm assuming it's a bearing. It almost acts like its half stuck in 4x4 on the right front but no pulling etc.

My next guess would be axle/CV joint. It does seem to change pitch when I turn and I can detect an osculation noise but it doesn't match speed.

I've got to get it in to the shop and have it looked at.

 

[spittinfire]

Sounds like you have a caliper hanging up. Either the slider or the piston sticking could cause what you're describing.

Have you rotated the tires to see if the noise moves? Is there any vibration? If the tire is coming apart internally it will make noise but it often has a vibration with it.

 

[fieldgrade]

Sounds like you have a caliper hanging up. Either the slider or the piston sticking could cause what you're describing.

Have you rotated the tires to see if the noise moves? Is there any vibration? If the tire is coming apart internally it will make noise but it often has a vibration with it.

I figure the brake issue is going to be pretty straightforward. Hopefully.

What I don't expect is for these Michelins to crap out. No vibration.

It's a little louder when I turn the wheel left, and when braking. I don't think the noise is actually associated with my lopsided brake wear issue, though.

They were just rotated maybe 2k miles ago, and the sound didn't start till the last 500 miles or so. Still, I guess if it was tires it would help if I am developing some sort of tire issue to rotate them. They are going to have it on the lift and front tires off anyway on Monday, and they are good troubleshooters. Been going to these guys when I don't do the work myself for 25 years

 

[Mike Overlay]

While driving at a speed of about 30mph, steer the vehicle left and right semi aggresively. See if the roaring noise changes pitch. Weight of vehicle being applied to the bad bearing will be noisey, vice versa.

 

[fieldgrade]

While driving at a speed of about 30mph, steer the vehicle left and right semi aggresively. See if the roaring noise changes pitch. Weight of vehicle being applied to the bad bearing will be noisey, vice versa.

Yep, it does it when I cut the wheel left.

Wonder if the passenger side brake issue has anything to do with it? I don't see how, but they will definitely have that wheel off.

 

[dave33]

If the tires arent cupped out and there is no vibration I would tend to think wheel bearing.

Disclaimer: I am NOT an ASE certified mechanic, just spend a lot of time around used cars.

 

[Mike Overlay]

Yep, it does it when I cut the wheel left.

Wonder if the passenger side brake issue has anything to do with it? I don't see how, but they will definitely have that wheel off.

Sounds like the wheel bearings are bad on passenger side. Caliper and or slides are binding on same side.
I would do both sides so you dont have to deal with same issue only different side soon.

 

[fieldgrade]

Yep, it does it when I cut the wheel left.

Wonder if the passenger side brake issue has anything to do with it? I don't see how, but they will definitely have that wheel off.

Sounds like the wheel bearings are bad on passenger side. Caliper and or slides are binding on same side.
I would do both sides so you dont have to deal with same issue only different side soon.

Roger that.