Is it normal for these 2wd front hub bearings to quiet up with load on them ?


For 2 months Ive had a loud hum at all speeds. Sounds like i have mudders on. And a vibration that has a peak around 50 mph.

When I steer to the right, the noise and vibration completely go away. Steering to the left doesn't make the noise get any worse or better.

So I figured if you steer right and the noise goes away, it should be a right side issue....

I balanced front tires and replaced front right hub bearing and i still have this issue .. So on a few car forms, i read that sometimes a loaded bearing will quiet up?? .

So before i replace my front left hub bearing, has anybody else had this happen? I cant think of anything else it would be.

-all hubs feel same temp
-no wheels have any side to side, up and down
-truck isnt pulling any direction
-no hubs leak

 

Jack the front end up off the ground and try to move the wheel up/down and side/side to look for play in the steering/axle/hub system.

 

i did that in the first post. theres no movment in front wheels. and its 2wd so no front axle/u-joints .

 

Any conical bearing will develop noise (depending on the damage, bearing size and rotational speed, it will be within or without audible frequency range) before failing.

Maybe you will find something by lifting the wheel and use a mechanics stethoscope wile rotating the wheel as fast as you can by hand.
Another thing to try would be to swap the tires from front to rear. The noise may as well come from a tire. A change in the noise would point towards incorrect toe in, camber or caster on the front axle. (Due to the front tire's wear pattern)

 

I too have had this problem it's the bearing. They run I belive 99 bucks. No need for whole hub. Get new locking nuts from Dodge

 

As was mentioned, if the noise is fairly loud and accompanied by a vibration, you should likely be able to hear it with a stethoscope, and possibly feel roughness by jacking up that corner of the truck and spinning it by hand. I would also consider removing the caliper, or squeezing back the pads, to eliminate any other source of noise.