Clicking front wheel

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pntball650

New member
Hi all, hoping someone can help me out with this issue.....I have a clicking sound coming from my front drivers side wheel. This is 2wd 2000 4runner.... it sounds almost like something is in the tire as the sound is with each rotation of the tire but I know there is nothing in there.... It seems worse if I turn to the right but also happens when just going straight....applying the brake does not seem to make any differance....most of the time it seems like it does not happen first thing in the morning only if I have been driving for a little while. Speed does not matter it happens fast or slow

Here is an audio recording of me coasting to a stop
https://clyp.it/giwvhljx

Thinking maybe bearing but not positive any help would be appreciated.
 
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Isolate a tire/wheel issue by rotating the tires front to back. If the sound goes with the whee/tire, check that.

Also, lift that side and spin the wheel by hand. Check for nails/screws in the tire and listen to see if it makes the noise off the ground.

Wheel bearings generally make a rumble or grumble noise when they go out, and will change in volume with turns (less or more, depending on direction) as you already mentioned.

-Charlie
 
Have not had a chance to rotate the tire yet but did jack it up and spin the wheel by hand and the sound does not occur. Have looked the tire over really good and see no nails or anything of that sort in it
 
If you have CV axles, I'd say it was probably that but you have a 2WD model. CVs usually make a clicking noise when they're ready to go.

I have to agree that it's most likely a wheel bearing. The reason why you hear it more on a right turn is because the driver side wheel is spinning faster on a right turn and there's also more pressure on the bearing because the weight of the vehicle is pushing towards the driver side on a right turn. Jack up the driver side front again and see if you can detect any movement in the bearing by placing your hands in the 12 and 6 o'clock positions on the tire pushing with one hand while pulling with the other and then reverse that to see if there's any play. You're basically trying to rock the tire back and forth feeling and listening for any play.

Also take a good look around the wheel for any debris that could be causing that clicking sound. If you don't detect any wheel bearing play or find any foreign debris that could be causing the clicking, remove the wheel and inspect the brakes.
 
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Thanks for all the replies I don't have time to get at it tonight but I am hoping I can check it all out tomorrow after work. When I lifted it earlier today I tried to see if there was any movement from the 12 and 6 position but it did not seem like there was. The crazy thing is that it is not all the time if I let it sit for 4-5 hours it wont happen until about 10 minutes of driving I will update after I can inspect it again
 
If nothing turns up with your wheel and brake inspection, you might check on the condition of your swaybar end links. Those can cause a chattering or clicking sound if they're worn; also how are your LBJ's doing?
 
If it does end up being the bearing does it have to be pressed on and off? I have seen this but did not know it that was only for the 4wd models....just trying to figure out if it is something I could fix myself....
 
pntball650 said:
If it does end up being the bearing does it have to be pressed on and off? I have seen this but did not know it that was only for the 4wd models....just trying to figure out if it is something I could fix myself....
Click to expand...

It would have to be pressed out. If you don't own a press, you could remove the knuckle and then bring it to a shop that could do the press work for you. It would definitely save you some money.
 
pntball650 said:
If it does end up being the bearing does it have to be pressed on and off? I have seen this but did not know it that was only for the 4wd models....just trying to figure out if it is something I could fix myself....
Click to expand...

I did them a couple weeks ago and all you need is a press, a seal puller or a nice hammer and screwdriver to take the inner/outer seals off, snap ring pliars (or some needle nose), a socket to press the hub from the bearing, something to support the knuckle up from the press stand (I used a piece of steel plasma cut out to a C-shape that conformed to the knuckle while that C was elevated by metal blocks placed on the press stand), and a piece of steel the shape of a hockey puck to press the bearing out.

Took like 5 hours but I also ended up breaking a 12 ton press (not the presses fault, a washer holding the bottle jack bent and got shot up through the frame) and had to go pick up a 20 ton. But that did the job easy. If you do them you can reuse the ABS ring, snap ring, and spacer, but buy new inner+outer seals.

Hope that helps and you can pm me if you have any questions.
 
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pntball650 said:
If it does end up being the bearing does it have to be pressed on and off? I have seen this but did not know it that was only for the 4wd models....just trying to figure out if it is something I could fix myself....
Click to expand...
Press, yes. And a special tool for the hub bearing nut thing. Don't know the actual name for it...

The inside of the front 2WD hubs looks a lot like a 4WD manual hub, just without the machining for the axle. Like this (behind the dust cover):

manual3.jpg~original


-Charlie
 
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4R#3 said:
Curious, what is common lifespan for wheel bearings that haven't been off-roaded hard or taken a hit from collision, etc.. Also, when they are starting to go out do they generally make more noise in straight line or around corners? Thanks
Click to expand...

LOL...nothing is set in stone. Generally make more noise under load for sure. If you have high miles...dont do the internet freak out....because "Johny" had bearing issues. Just drive it...if you pay half a minutes attention you will know they are going out and have plenty of time to replace them.
 
Man what a project.....I do not recommend anyone take this on without all the proper tools..... 20 ton press, toyota 4 pin socket, and balljoint puller at the minimum....I purchased a 20 ton press so that helped....got the old bearing out and the new one in as well as replaced the ball joints (broke 2 cheap pullers) while I had it all apart....I was able to get the bearing nut off with 4 screw drivers, a long pipe, and a lot of frustration....getting it back on is a whole different story....ended up taking the assembly to a local toyota shop and paid $20 to have them use their socket to torque it down....put it all back together tonight and realized they didn't tighten it enough so had to take it back apart and now I am having to order the socket so that I can do it myself....from what I have read it requires 204lbs of torque so that is going to be tough even with the socket....I will get it all back together eventually its just been a PITA because it is my only vehicle.....hopefully all of this will fix the clicking noise I will update when done.....

Anyone have a suggestion on a good place to get that toyota 4 pin socket fast? I was looking at this

https://www.aztool1.com/25969-oemtools-toyota-4-pin-hub-locknut-socket-oem.html

They claim they can overnight it but I don't see anywhere on the page to buy it I am going to call them in the morning.
 
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