Weird humming noise on 02', help please...

SD-KJ · **Posted:** Wed Apr 25, 2007 12:24 pm

I have been away for awhile but I'm back and I need some assistance. I originally posted about a humming noise that i was fairly sure was a right front wheel bearing. I took it to the dealership and they said yep right front wheel bearing is bad. So I bought one myself and put it in and the noise is still there. I replace the wheel bearing in January and i am now finally getting annoyed with the problem and noise.

Sorry for being long winded but there is some background info that needs to be explained.

The noise is best described as a humming noise, its gets faster as speed in creases. Its most noticeable when at low speeds (20mph or slower). I did some testing the other day and on a flat long road if i cycle 4wd full time in and out the noise goes away in 4wd. I have driven the last few days all the time in 4 full to see if it comes back and it does not.
My first thought would be the transfer case fluid but i checked that last night and everything is ok, fluid was all the way up to the filler and it was clean and nice and red.

So, thats the background and now i need some help as to pin pointing whats wrong here. I am really stumped as to what it could be.

Let me know what your thinking... any and all input is very appreciated.

Thanks,

-Nick

Jeger · **Posted:** Wed Apr 25, 2007 1:25 pm

I would guess its a bad CV joint, either in a front axle or in the front drive-shaft. If you can...Take them off one at a time and see if the noise goes away.

SD-KJ · **Posted:** Wed Apr 25, 2007 2:31 pm

Jeger wrote:

I would guess its a bad CV joint, either in a front axle or in the front drive-shaft. If you can...Take them off one at a time and see if the noise goes away.

Just thinking through this logically, if the CV joint is bad wouldn't it make the noise regardless if 4wd is engaged/disengaged. I thought that the axles and cv joints spin all the time?

Not saying your wrong here just trying to understand...

-Nick

tjkoen01 · **Posted:** Thu Apr 26, 2007 7:40 am

SD-KJ wrote:

Jeger wrote:

I would guess its a bad CV joint, either in a front axle or in the front drive-shaft. If you can...Take them off one at a time and see if the noise goes away.

Just thinking through this logically, if the CV joint is bad wouldn't it make the noise regardless if 4wd is engaged/disengaged. I thought that the axles and cv joints spin all the time?

Not saying your wrong here just trying to understand...

-Nick

yes, they rotate all the time, however there is very little load on the CV joint when not in 4wd. without the load, things are free to move around and make noise. my limited experience with CV joints is they make a clicking sound when making a tight turn if they are going bad. but i am comparing a '87 dodge daytona to a liberty.....not exactly apples to apples.

Jeger · **Posted:** Thu Apr 26, 2007 8:22 am

tjkoen01 said it pretty well.

I also seem to remember someone saying they had a bad CV joint in their front driveshaft, and it sounded like it was on the right side wheel for some reason.

SD-KJ · **Posted:** Thu Apr 26, 2007 4:50 pm

Jeger wrote:

tjkoen01 said it pretty well.

I also seem to remember someone saying they had a bad CV joint in their front driveshaft, and it sounded like it was on the right side wheel for some reason.

Ok, so if this is the case, is there a way i can check the CV joints to see if they are bad or not?

-Nick

BVCRD · **Posted:** Thu Apr 26, 2007 4:53 pm

SD-KJ wrote:

Jeger wrote:

tjkoen01 said it pretty well.

I also seem to remember someone saying they had a bad CV joint in their front driveshaft, and it sounded like it was on the right side wheel for some reason.

Ok, so if this is the case, is there a way i can check the CV joints to see if they are bad or not?

-Nick

Big parking lot. Put in reverse. Turn wheel to the stop. Give it gas. Do you here clicking noise?

LiLredLibby · **Posted:** Thu Apr 26, 2007 11:07 pm

SD-KJ....I'm thinking your hearing the slack in the transfer case chain.Putting it in 4wheel tends to take up the slack.To be sure, you need to raise all 4 wheels,run it at 20mph or so and probe around with a stethiscope(?).If you don't feel comfortable with this method,by all means, take it to an independent shop for use of a lift.We will usually rack a vehicle and do a check like this as courtesy or just a very small fee,say 10 to 15.00.But again,SAFTEY is important here,so don't risk an injury if your not comfortable doing it.

Ron
P.S.....this will probably set a anti-lock brake code which most shops can reset for you.

SD-KJ · **Posted:** Fri Apr 27, 2007 9:46 am

LiLredLibby wrote:

SD-KJ....I'm thinking your hearing the slack in the transfer case chain.Putting it in 4wheel tends to take up the slack.To be sure, you need to raise all 4 wheels,run it at 20mph or so and probe around with a stethiscope(?).If you don't feel comfortable with this method,by all means, take it to an independent shop for use of a lift.We will usually rack a vehicle and do a check like this as courtesy or just a very small fee,say 10 to 15.00.But again,SAFTEY is important here,so don't risk an injury if your not comfortable doing it.

Ron
P.S.....this will probably set a anti-lock brake code which most shops can reset for you.

Thanks Ron, Is this something that is somewhat common?

-Nick

BTW, I did do a (very) quick test in a parking lot for the CV joints and didn't hear anything. I am going to try and have someone else drive it and walk along side it and see if i can see/hear anthing up close at a low speed.

LiLredLibby · **Posted:** Fri Apr 27, 2007 12:16 pm

I would'nt say that it's all that common,but the chain in the tranfer case will gain a little slack with higher mileage,and sound simular to the noise of pushing a mini-bike or go-cart without the engine running.Thats how I would best describe the noise.Mac Tools has a tool for finding hard to get to noises called "The Mechanics Ear".It consist of suction cups that you can attach to a suspected area,then a wire runs from them to a headset.Handy while driving and not able to hang upside down from the bottom of your vehicle. :lol:

Keep us posted on what you find,I'm curious. :wink:

Ron

P.S.....Don't think theres any adjustment for this,but could make this noise almost indefinitly,without any real problems.

Weird humming noise on 02', help please...

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