I'm getting a clunking/grinding noise on what seems like my passenger's side wheel on my 94, 3.0. The weird thing is that the sound only seems to occur when the hubs are unlocked. At first I was thinking CVs, but those shouldn't make noise when unlocked, right? Plus hand turning revealed just a slight click on one side and all the boots look good. Definitely not the grinding noise I hear on the highway. My next thought is wheel bearings, but I'm a little puzzled about the sound only happening when unlocked. This rig has me broke and frustrated, so how would I go about diagnosing that its a wheel bearing for sure? Do I just jack the tire up and spin it, listening for noise? Any other things I should check while I am at it?
Clunking/grinding wheel, bearings?
- Thread starter ozzyleven
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KidVermicious
New member
It's really not hugely difficult to pull the hub and rotor and check the bearings out visually. If the bearings are good, you'll have a head start on your CV change. 
WoodsRunner88
New member
I would try taking the hub off, and going for a drive on a dry day and see if the noise is still there. My 89 had auto hubs and the passenger side would half disengage and grind, and it sounded honestly like a steam locomotive getting up to speed, when I put it in 4WD it wouldn't make a noise. Don't be surprised if when you pull your hub a bunch of bits come out. This only pertains if you don't have ADD, and have locking hubs located at the wheels. Hope this helps.
I could be wrong but I would think that if it were a wheel bearing, you would have more than a clunk and a grind. It would be HOT as heck and wouldn't last long at all. There would be a catastrophic failure very soon!
I would jack up the front and wiggle everything on the side that the noise is coming from. Maybe it's a ball joint, worn bushing, shock mount... who knows. Take the weight off of it and inspect everything very thoroughly.
I would jack up the front and wiggle everything on the side that the noise is coming from. Maybe it's a ball joint, worn bushing, shock mount... who knows. Take the weight off of it and inspect everything very thoroughly.
Well, I feel like an idiot now. WoodsRunner, you were on the right track. Manual hub wasn't all the way disengaged. Too bad I paid my mechanic $55 to share that wisdom and add some extra grease to them. At least the rig got a clean bill of health before I drive across the country
