What a day...now I have a strange front end noise

[ubtripn]

Just had new rims and tires put on, sounded fine for a couple of weeks and now when I am close to turning hard over to the right I get a sound that is hard to describe. It's like metal grinding over itself or some kind of metal grinding up against another piece of metal. I have the faster ratio power steering so it doesn't take long to get close to being all the way over. The sound is like a VERY old hinge grinding/popping. They did an alignment and I can see the shims and it didn't make this sound until today. It only happens when moving though, not when stopped and turning the wheel all the way over side to side. I have a new idler ar, tie rod ends, ball joints, pitman arm, I don't know what it is and I have hit the wall today. I lubed everything still have the sound. I hate working to find something all day and coming up short. oh well

[72chevyk10]

anywhere where the tires are rubbing?

[PanelDeland]

Or the wheels on a control arm?

[sjarrett71]

Are the lug nuts still tight?

[ubtripn]

Yeah, checked that.

Is it possible for them to put too many shims on top of the a arm while doing an alignment, causing metal to contact underneath the a arm. I can see a curved piece of iron there like half a dic shaped. it looks like recent contact is being made maybe when I am turning.

[ole dollor]

i would check the lug nuts first, if your truck has disk brakes look for rocks in between the disk rotor and backing plate...or a bent backing plate.....

[no moa]

Pull the wheel off to start. See if there are any marks in the wheel. Got to be rubbing hard on the control arm or something.

[ubtripn]

Will do, I will pull the wheels tonight. Had em off 3 times yesterday, I hope I can find this.

Normally I ask myself - what is the last thing I touched, well I have drum brakes and I did adjust them I just don't see how that sound could be coming from inside the drum?

[custom1970]

while your at it, should check your wheel bearings just in case...

[KEL]

Originally Posted by custom1970

while your at it, should check your wheel bearings just in case...

wheel bearing was my first guess

[GASoline71]

Originally Posted by ubtripn

Will do, I will pull the wheels tonight. Had em off 3 times yesterday, I hope I can find this.

Normally I ask myself - what is the last thing I touched, well I have drum brakes and I did adjust them I just don't see how that sound could be coming from inside the drum?

I had a drum brake adjuster come loose after a genius at a Les Schwab Tire Center screwed up 2 of my rear lugs and they had to pull the drum and brakes to get the lugs out with the axle still in the truck (long story). When Johnny Haha the tire ape, reassembled the brakes and didn't install the adjuster correctly it came apart while I was driving and wound up banging around inside the drum.

Did lots of damage to the drum, backing plate, and the shoes themselves. But before it was banging around... it was making the "metal on metal" screech. Then the "popping and banging" as you describe.

Originally Posted by KEL

wheel bearing was my first guess

If it is a wheel bearing... the horrible noises are the bearings straining to come apart in their cages. Not to mention the damage that could be being done to the spindle if the truck is still being driven. I wouldn't drive it again until you pull that front end apart.

Gary

[ubtripn]

Sounds like I am going to be having some fun tonight then. I will also check/pack the bearings as well. I have never heard a bearing go so that just might be it.

When I adjusted the brakes I just expanded the shoes by turning the star sprocket (whatever it's called) a few notches to get the proper drag. I am going to rebuild them soon.

I know it sounds funny but drums almost serve me better in snow, don't know why but if I have them in good working order (and with the booster) they don't do too bad.

Anyway, thanks for the help!

[ubtripn]

I forgot to add. After I parked I pushed with my foot on top of the tire and it made the same metal popping sound but only one pop. Almost like metal binding somewhere but nothing is touching.

[GASoline71]

While you have everything apart... check the upper and lower ball joints too...

Gary

[ubtripn]

They are new but I will sure check them as well. Thanks.