I have a relatively loud grinding sound coming from the front end of my 96 Grand Cherokee Laredo. It starts at about 8 MPH and gets louder as speed increases. I have read that it is probably a wheel (hub assembly) bearing however it seems to be central rather than off to a side. It does get louder when turning right and “diminishes” when turning left. I put the Jeep in neutral when driving 20+ MPH and the grinding sound continues leaving me to believe (hoping!!!!) it is not coming from the differential. Is it possible for the sound to appear in the center of the front drive assembly if it is a defective passenger side bearing (hub assembly)? I just bought this jeep a week ago and I was aware of the sound when I bought it, I thought I would check with the experts before I go replacing the differential. The fellow I bought it from said he jacked up the passenger side and found there was a fair amount of play in the wheel. The tire is also wearing kinda funky, outside tread is being worn quickly.

Any help would be greatly appreciated

Thank you very much
Dan in Alberta

 

Go get a set of wheel hubs because Id say that is most definetly your problem...I changed mine out in a few hours and its a good thing I did because the drivers side hub fell apart when I removed it...Now when I drive it there is no additional "grinding" noises or what have you...

Here is a link to help you out if you need some further instruction:
http://jeep.off-road.com/jeep/articl....jsp?id=257794

Besides that, if you ever go with a larger tire set up then youll need the stronger, newer hubs to take the strain of the larger and heavier wheels...

One last thing, dont buy cheap-o hubs, spend the money and get the better quality part, you'll thank your self later...

 

Lewk

Thanks for the response. The link you supplied is what originally pointed me in the direction you suggest although I am somewhat concerned as the sound is central rather than off to one side.

Dan

 

Neglected to mention, the bearings at all the auto suppliers here in Calgary are $170 and up, I am assuming that will be a quality bearing. I have read Timken bearings are made in China and are not the best quality. What manufacturer should I consider as being good and which as poor?

Dan

 

check your bearings first, see if there is play in them, they arent cheap, but if you need them, i got autozones brand and they work great.

 

Yeah I am going with Napa's value line when I buy mine. I just can't afford $150+ per side ride now..

 

I would like to extend my gratitude for the assistance thus far.

There is play, I feel fairly confident that we do not have an Autozone in Canada so we Canadians are left getting screwed again with mega high prices for inferior product. The cheapest I have been able to find the bearings is $170, at least in Canada. I have seen Timkens online for $66 but I have read that Timkens are made in China and are of poor quality. Not mention, if I am going to spend that much I would rather my money go to our American cousins! That being said I am not 100% sure it is the bearing, judging from my first post do you believe it is?

Thanks
Dan in Alberta

 

Jack up the front end, place on jackstands and check for play in the bearings by shaking the tire in and out while holding the top and bottom and then both sides of the tire. If you can feel play, make sure its not the ball joints/tie-rod ends by looking at/feeling them for play. If its not coming from the joints/rod ends, its the bearing. The noise and where it is coming from are secondary to the above test because the location of the noises can be deceiving. You really have to know what you're listening for to be able to distinguish between grinding noises. I'm not sure which parts places you have in Alberta but you should have a Napa right? They should have a couple of quality levels available for the bearings. I've used SKF before personally and they're not bad.

 

Holy Smokes………SKFs Wheel Bearing Hub Assembly for $140 at Napa in Calgary! I’m feelin better already!

Thanks
Dan