As the winter has progressed and the temps here in CT have finally dropped to normal for this time of the winter I have noticed some noise develop in the front end.

Here's how to describe the sound:
- It is a buzzing type sound.
- No vibration in steering wheel or seat-of-pants.
- I usually can only hear it when i'm off the throttle due to engine noise but can make it out when i'm going just fast enough on level ground to have it shift into over drive.
- It sounds like its either the sound of the tire treads, gears or bearings in the front end.
- It definately sounds like its coming from the front end.
- It sort of sounds louder/different when I apply the brakes.
- The sound is speed sensitive, higher pitched at higher speeds, lower pitched at lower speeds.
- The sound disappears around 10-15mph.
- Temperature doesn't seem to make a difference in the sound.

What has me worried is that i'm not sure what the noise is. Is it the tires being louder in the cold due to the rubber being stiffer. The tires are new, with only about 3500 miles on them.

Could it be bearings, gears, u-joints? I just can't pin it down. Plus I have about a 4000mile trip coming up in Mid March that I'd like to be sure the problem is taken care of before that.

Also, i don't have a lift, and the tires are stock size, Cooper Discover ATR's which don't have a super agressive tread by any measure.

**EDIT** I just shy of 28000 miles on the truck **EDIT**

If anyone has any other questions let me know.

All help and input will be greatly appriciated.

Mike

 

CV on the front driveline??? ever greased it or changed it since new???
some trucks do not have a grease zerk.

 

Only one reply? Geeze... I guess I WAS to long winded. I'm really stuck on this one!

I did notice tonight on the way home that the nosie becomes a little more like a low pitched grinding if i'm taking a turn, does that change anything?

53Willys, my front drive shaft doesn't have the greaseable joint, Needle or Zirk. I've checked it many many many many times looking for it and so have several other people who insisted that it was greasable.

Mike

 

my guess is front driveline or front axle U-joint/s.
take the front d-line out and see if the noise goes away.

 

You might have a rock or something in the brake pads,, kinda long shot, but when you say that it changes when brakes are applied makes me think

kevin

 

Do you mean take out the front drive shaft?
Cause I don't know how I could take out the whole front drive line.... I'm sure the cummins could push the truck around on its bumper/front frame... but steering it might prove to be a little interesting. LOL!

Mike