Front end noise, wheel is loose
 

While driving the other day I started hearing a banging coming from the passenger front tire area. If I pull on top or side of the wheel there is just enough play to cause some noise. I assume it's a bad ball joint but what else should I be looking/checking? Also, is it safe to drive until I have some time to fix it next week? Thanks for any help

Re: Front end noise, wheel is loose
 

Which truck is it on? I had the drag link go bad on my one ton, it made a lot of racket.

Re: Front end noise, wheel is loose
 

I guess that might be good info haha, it on my 88 1 ton. A bad drag link wouldn't cause the wheel to feel loose though would it?
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Re: Front end noise, wheel is loose
 

My guess would be a wheel bearing if you able to move the tire top and bottom aswell as side to side. And if its only happening to one side of the truck.

Re: Front end noise, wheel is loose
 

Yes, I could wiggle it side to side, but I didn't try up and down.

Re: Front end noise, wheel is loose
 

How do I check that? Also, is it ok to drive for a short time?
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Re: Front end noise, wheel is loose
 

nobody can tell you if its ok... It may last for 100 years and your wheel may fall off pulling out the driveway.. IF you are in dout. I wouldnt take the risk.

Re: Front end noise, wheel is loose
 

The best way to check is take the wheel off, and try to move the brake disc the same way you moved the wheel, if the brake disc moves and nothing else its likely the bearing. That way if it's not the bearing you can see how the rest of the suspension is reacting.

And I agree with Spudz, I wouldn't use the truck till you can fix it.

Re: Front end noise, wheel is loose
 

i had a wheelbearing go once while on the highway and the heat caused the whole spindle to crack in half right up behind where the outer wheel hearing toasted.... it is NOT SAFE to drive anywhere

Re: Front end noise, wheel is loose
 

drive it till the wheels fall off... :lol: well not literary ;)

Re: Front end noise, wheel is loose
 

Replacing wheel bearings (which is what sounds like the issue to me) is way cheaper than the damage that can follow from it going out completely. I had one go bad in a VW I used to have.

Re: Front end noise, wheel is loose
 

Adam,
You need to place a floor jack under the lower control arm and jack the truck up . This will take the load off of the ball joints,upper A-frame bushings,etc. Move the wheel in and out and left and right . You will be able to find the problem this way . It is hard to troubleshoot with the weight of the vehicle masking the slop in balljoints or bushings.
Frank

Re: Front end noise, wheel is loose
 

Ok so I finally had some time to look at this thing today. Turns out the spindle nut was loose and that was it :lol: . Anyway, Im up and running again now, just waiting til after the holidays and I think I'll list it on ebay. If it doesnt sell by the end of January I'm going to keep it.

Re: Front end noise, wheel is loose
 

Trust me... you needed to repack the wheel bearings.

Re: Front end noise, wheel is loose
 

Glad you got it fixed, and saw it in the FS section. That could have turned out to be hair raising scary!