Front end noise, wheel is loose - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

cochino12 · 12-11-2010, 10:52 AM

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

babyJay · 12-11-2010, 11:27 AM

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

cochino12 · 12-11-2010, 11:49 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by babyJay

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

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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Dalaigh · 12-11-2010, 11:57 AM

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.

babyJay · 12-11-2010, 12:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cochino12

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?
Posted via Mobile Device

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

cochino12 · 12-11-2010, 12:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dalaigh

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.

How do I check that? Also, is it ok to drive for a short time?
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spudz · 12-11-2010, 12:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cochino12

How do I check that? Also, is it ok to drive for a short time?
Posted via Mobile Device

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.

Dalaigh · 12-11-2010, 12:47 PM

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.

**old Rusty C10** · 12-11-2010, 09:55 PM

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

3r!c84 · 12-11-2010, 10:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by spudz

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.

drive it till the wheels fall off...

well not literary

Driveway Dreams · 12-12-2010, 12:30 AM

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.

f.monroe · 12-12-2010, 01:18 AM

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

cochino12 · 12-19-2010, 09:38 PM

Ok so I finally had some time to look at this thing today. Turns out the spindle nut was loose and that was it

. 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.

spudz · 12-20-2010, 08:48 PM

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

babyJay · 12-20-2010, 09:17 PM

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

12-11-2010, 10:52 AM	#1
cochino12 It followed me home? Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Yup Posts: 5,751	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 __________________ Adam That's why they call it a shortcut Kyle, if it was easy it would just be the way. 86 c-10 SWB 85 CCSB 90 GMC K30 Crew SRW 1985 C30 Dually

12-11-2010, 11:27 AM	#2
babyJay Arrived on a Pale Horse Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: SnagTown Indiana Posts: 2,524	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. __________________ Jason 87 V30 350TBI/400 White w/Boss V-plow 89 R3500 CC SRW

12-11-2010, 11:57 AM	#4
Dalaigh Canadian Trucker Join Date: Nov 2010 Location: Sarnia, ont canada Posts: 648	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. Last edited by Dalaigh; 12-11-2010 at 12:01 PM.

12-11-2010, 12:47 PM	#8
Dalaigh Canadian Trucker Join Date: Nov 2010 Location: Sarnia, ont canada Posts: 648	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. Last edited by Dalaigh; 12-11-2010 at 12:50 PM.

12-11-2010, 09:55 PM	#9
old Rusty C10 Robert Olson Transport Join Date: Oct 2002 Location: recent transplant to NC USA Posts: 20,313	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 __________________ Bob 1951 International running on a squarebody chassis "If a man's worth is judged by the people he associates himself with, then i am the richest man in the world knowing some of the fine people of this board" http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/a...t.php?f=25&a=9 (you can review the site rules here!) PM Me for your vehicle/parts hauling needs in the North East US or see my Facebook page Robert Olson Transport Live each day to the fullest.. you never know when fate is going to pull the rug out from under you... I hate cancer!! Last edited by old Rusty C10; 12-11-2010 at 09:56 PM.

12-12-2010, 12:30 AM	#11
Driveway Dreams I have car A.D.D. Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Greeley, Northern Colorado Posts: 4,147	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. __________________ -Gerald Building vehicles in memory of the first "car guy" I ever knew, my Grandpa. Bob Dunham 1935-2009. Rest in peace. 61 GMC Suburban SOLD The 86 build thread SOLD Are you a Colorado member?Click here.

12-12-2010, 01:18 AM	#12
f.monroe Senior Member Join Date: May 2004 Location: Caldwell,Tx. Posts: 3,648	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 __________________ Born and proudly residing in a Red State !

12-19-2010, 09:38 PM	#13
cochino12 It followed me home? Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Yup Posts: 5,751	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 . 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. __________________ Adam That's why they call it a shortcut Kyle, if it was easy it would just be the way. 86 c-10 SWB 85 CCSB 90 GMC K30 Crew SRW 1985 C30 Dually

12-20-2010, 08:48 PM	#14
spudz Registered User Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: Branchville SC Posts: 1,647	Re: Front end noise, wheel is loose Trust me... you needed to repack the wheel bearings. __________________ 2004 z71, 96 z71 on 38s, 88 Chevy k5 blazer, 4in lift. 84 swb project, 82 SWB project , 84 chevy 4x4 lwb project, 88 Jimmy beater/highschool ride. 79 c30. 99 tahoe 4x4 project. and a bunch of parts trucks..

12-20-2010, 09:17 PM	#15
babyJay Arrived on a Pale Horse Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: SnagTown Indiana Posts: 2,524	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! __________________ Jason 87 V30 350TBI/400 White w/Boss V-plow 89 R3500 CC SRW



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