Noise when turning left....

[HOrnbrod]

I hate "WFT is causing this noise" threads, but am going to post one anyhow since I've never experienced this before. When cruising about 30-40 on winding roads, whenever turning left and going around a bend in the road, I hear a growling noise that sounds like it's coming from the right rear axle, although it could be up front. Definitely on the right side though. The noise disappears immediately when straightening the wheel, and no noise at all when making right turns. 

 

I'm thinking axle bearing or front wheel breaing, but how can I pinpoint it to be sure? On a c-clip axle I'd just yank it out, but no can do easily with the D44. Think a change of diff oil would help?

[Dzimm]

A change in diff fluid certainly couldn't hurt.  The fluid change may reveal an issue within the axle so it would be a good starting point.  Have you jacked up the truck and checked for play in the wheels?  

 

Try jacking it up, turning the steering to the left and spin the wheels to see if you can recreate the noise. 

[Pete M]

every bad bearing I've had was evident when spinning the wheel by hand.  

[HOrnbrod]

I've caught front bearings like that, but not the rear. It really sounds like it's coming from the rear. I'll take Mama for a ride tomorrow and hang her out the window while I make a bunch of left turns. She has great hearing.  

[yxmj]

I have a mechanics stethoscope.... Makes me feel educated when I wear it.....anyway....when placed against the rear end housing or axle tube you can clearly hear the difference between a healthy bearing and one that needs attention. 

If you have one or can get your hands on one...lift the rear and rotate one side then the other while placing the pick up end in different spots...... Might help you narrow it down?

[HOrnbrod]

I've got one; have only used it for pulley noise up front. I'll give it a go tomorrow - and thanks. 

[ComancheKid45]

I had a rear wheel bearing come apart on my one D44 a month or so ago. If you can, after a drive check the rear wheels and see if there's excessive heat coming from either of the drums. My RR was hot and when I pulled the shaft it brought a bunch of metal out with it....a new bearing and seal and a flush and fill of the axle and it was going again. Good luck.

[Gubachoo]

When you use the stethoscope, make sure to stress the bearing a little if you can by pushing and pulling and putting weight on the tire if you can (just leaning on it can help). Since you only get the noise while turning it may not have gotten bad enough yet to be super evident without stress on it. Be careful too, that is one of the most commonly misdiagnosed things in a shop since it can seem like its coming from (for example) the right front but is actually the left rear. Been burned by quick diagnosis a couple of times in the past and end up switching the new part to the other side because I didn't spend an extra 2 mins making double sure I knew which bearing was making the noise. It doesn't have to be spun quickly either, a slow turn will usually give up some slight grumbling noise. Good luck. 

[Skorpyo]

9 hours ago, yxmj said:

I have a mechanics stethoscope.... Makes me feel educated when I wear it.....anyway....

 

  Thank you, I needed that this morning...

[HOrnbrod]

4 hours ago, ComancheKid45 said:

I had a rear wheel bearing come apart on my one D44 a month or so ago. If you can, after a drive check the rear wheels and see if there's excessive heat coming from either of the drums. My RR was hot and when I pulled the shaft it brought a bunch of metal out with it....a new bearing and seal and a flush and fill of the axle and it was going again. Good luck.

 

First thing I checked. No excess heat on any wheel....

[kryptronic]

On 11/15/2017 at 6:49 PM, HOrnbrod said:

...When cruising about 30-40 on winding roads, whenever turning left and going around a bend in the road...

 

Is that just when you start to hear the noise (30-40 MPH and above)?  Or, does it only happen between 30-40 MPH and goes away above 40 MPH?  We're all assuming you've done a common sense cursory check of all the wheel lugs, brakes and body mounts, exhaust hangers/mounts looking for anything lose or broken.

[HOrnbrod]

1 hour ago, kryptronic said:

Is that just when you start to hear the noise (30-40 MPH and above)?  Or, does it only happen between 30-40 MPH and goes away above 40 MPH?  We're all assuming you've done a common sense cursory check of all the wheel lugs, brakes and body mounts, exhaust hangers/mounts looking for anything lose or broken.

 

I hear it on windy roads making long left turns at speeds 30-50 or so. Don't notice it at higher speeds. I do a monthly tour under the truck looking for loose/missing out-of-the-ordinary stuff like those you mentioned. Jacked up each wheel and rotated looking for a noisy bearing with the stethoscope today (felt smart doing it too ); nothing out of sorts. Took Mama for a slow curvy ride today also and she heard nothing and neither did I. Checked all the wheel hubs for excess heat; all normal. Gonna get the tires rebalanced and rotated next, and if it's still there, finally replace the D44 gears and axle shafts that I've had for the last five years waiting to go in.

[kryptronic]

Sounds like you have all bases covered.