funky noise in front of truck - wheel related?

[Woogeroo]

howdy folks.

so I've been buzzing around in my '65 C10 and I'm hearing this noise in the front... which must be related to the wheels in some way as it changes frequency with speed, slowing up or slowing down... whether or not I'm hitting the brakes.

I check the lug nuts, they are snug... it's sort of an old rubber squeaking noise sorta, but it goes lump, lump, lump along with the rotation of the wheel at slower speeds.

may be wheel bearing related? shock mounts or something?

Anyways... looking for a list of things to check when I crawl up under there...

... any ideas?

Thanks.

-W

[old cruiser]

does it change going left or right? Hard turns will make a wheel bearing show up ie hard left turn can make the right wheel bearing noisier. May also be a tyre

[TopFuel1966]

Give a close inspection to all of your tires. It sounds like you might have a tread that is separating.

[Dillon Rock]

Sounds to me like a wheel bearing to me Woogeroo. Unless the brakes are rubbing in the drum/discs.

[Cape Codder]

Start with running your hand over the outside of the tire all the way around looking for bumps. Then jack the wheels and look of play when rocking them, give them a spin and listen. If it's not wheel bearings it could be a broken spring inside the drum. I would pull the drums anyway as you are likely due for inspection and repacking. Cleaning and repacking bearings has become a forgotten part of service on trucks, but it is required on these trucks.

[markeb01]

I also believe the most likely culprit is a wheel bearing, but also look at the back side of the tire for bulges, and check to see if a large wheel weight may have come off. If they've been on there for a while, there should be a clean spot or marks on the rim if one of them is missing. Also you might have something stuck in a tread that you're actually running over every rotation, that might not have actually punctured the tire.

[imjeff]

Check all four corners and the driveshaft. Those noises can transmit from anywhere on the truck. Jack up the front and give the tires a jiggle to check your wheel bearings.

[Woogeroo]

Thanks folks.

-W

[72freak]

I have had this noise recently and it was the 25 year old tires coming apart on my 66. Put it up and spin them. You will see it if that's what it is. If that's not is listen while its spinning. Wheel bearing would be my next guess also.

[Cape Codder]

And don't forget to tell us what you find. It can only assist the next person with a similar problem.



Bob

[old cool]

I will follow this post closely. It is a problem I am experiencing as well. I noticed my ball joints and tie rods are not the greatest. I have heard that weak steering components can cause uneven wheel spinning. that's about all I can offer for now

[Woogeroo]

so an update :

jacked up all 4 wheels, rolled tires around, checked sidewalls, treads, all good there.

jacked up rear end, put it in neutral, spun the wheels, watched drive shaft for clunking or binding, all good.

however, there was a nut missing off the top shock mount on the driver side rear. !!!!

so, got that fixed with new bolt and washers, checked the other 3 back there to be sure.

front wheels were not spinning so happily tho', took off wheels, drums... popped the castle nuts off, checked wheel bearings, they had plenty of grease still, which is interesting since I've never had 'em off in the 11 years I've had it... cages weren't broken, no pitting on the rollers... I greased 'em up anyway since I had it apart, put it all back together.

took it for a ride, no funky noise, so I guess it was the shock mount bolt...

I'mma check the front wheels again later this week tho', to be sure.

Thanks for the suggestions folks.

-W

[1963c-10]

Glad you got it fixed Woogeroo

[truckdude239]

i think youd get a better answer in the engine and drive train forum as it is drivetrain related