Hey all,

I've had this issue for a while, if it's even considered an issue, and I hoped y'all might be able to help me diagnose it.

Every time I slow down to a stop, from about 15mph to 0mph there is a vibration-like noise/grinding-ish noise that comes from my front driver's side wheel area. I have Firestone Destination M/T tires, and I know sometimes at slower speeds they'll make some noise like that, but I am convinced that this isn't because of the tires.

Could it be an axle U-joint or hub issue?

Thanks for any and all help.

 

Go lay your hand on the tire while standing beside the Jeep and slide your hand across the surface of the tire. Is it smooth across the top of the treads or does it seem uneven? How old are the tires.

If you're tires have worn funny they'll do that. Cheap mud tires like the Dunlop Mud Rover do it BAD.

Read Cupping:

http://www.procarcare.com/includes/c...dtirewear.html

http://answers.yahoo.com/question/in...4135035AAe2Wxd

Usually when a large offroad tire starts cupping it's quite obvious and across the entire tire. Mostly at the edges tho.

If it's not this when I'd start looking at rotors, pads and unit bearings. When was the last time the brakes were serviced?

 

Did you check your brake pads? Grinding could be a sign of a worn pad. You could be grinding your rotors up.

 

The front tires were cupping at one point, but new ball joints on both sides and a tire rotate put the rear tires up front, and there's no cupping on them. The tires probably have 10k miles on them.

The pads and rotors were replaced with Black Magic stuff 4k miles ago, so I'd be hard pressed to believe that those are causing the problem.

I'll try to get video of it today.

 

I have a video of what I'm talking about! Turn up your speakers and listen close! It's prominent from 0:25 and on...it's that weird vibrating/rattling noise!

Video Link

 

I have the same issue. I pinpointed it to be my trac bar bushings. Mostly driver side grab it and give it a shake

 

I'll have to check those out. I installed an IRO Double-Shear Track bar less than a year ago so I'll be surprised if that's the problem, but I guess there's always the possibility! Any other ideas?

 

Alright, well after about 20 minutes under the Jeep, the only thing that I could find that wiggled/moved when grasped and shaken is the driver's side axle shaft at the U-joint. The passenger side doesn't budge. Could this be the culprit? The track bar is rock solid, as well as the tie rod, drag link, sway bar, and quick discos.

 

My '98 does the "grinding to a stop".Shiity pads do that.

 

It's not only when I'm braking, and I'd hope that MrBlaine's Black Magic pads and Centric rotors wouldn't be "shiity" enough to do that!

 

Yes. If the joint is loose, it's worn.