[Gunfixr]

Well, just firing the parts Cannon at it didn't fix it the first time, so, some diagnostics might be in order. Yes, you did the bearings on one side, so it wouldn't hurt to do the other. But, once the brakes are off, grab a wheel stud, and give the hub a spin, see if you hear anything. Check it for play, in/out, or side to side. Rotate the hub with a hand on the rotor to see if you can feel anything.
How were the brakes on the first side, how does the other side look?
If you go to the rear axle, check its rotation. You'll need it chocked in neutral. Check it like the front, rotate it, and listen/feel for grinding. You can do this before buying parts.
I prob should've said this earlier, sorry.

 

[turtle1025]

Well finished the front right side today. Still hearing the noise, so its not any of the bearings in the front I don't think. I thought maybe its the pinion/gear, but then I only get the sound when turning right or tilting right. Also I can get the sound from a stop turning right or just coasting right. Tilting left the sound goes away or softens to where I can barely hear it.

 

[Gunfixr]

Have you tried listening with radio off, and the window down? Then, maybe put that one back up, and run the passenger side down. It'll be some quieter anyway, from across the cab.

 

[Riggs]

just throwing this out , but this is a true story from myself.

I had a ticking whirling noise at various speeds and I would have BET THE FARM that it was coming from my front end . I checked my front wheel bearings , etc and couldn't find any issues

It turned out to be the double cardan in the rear driveshaft.

Noise can be a PITA and tricky to locate , like I said above I thought for sure it was the front end based on the noise , and I wasn't even close.

Its been mentioned already - so check that joint out too, the noise/feel could be traveling around and fooling you

 

[turtle1025]

Stuck my ear out the window while turning. I could swear its from the front left. I'm gonna take the wheel off again and try to figure this out.

@Riggs, My driveshaft front and back looks old but the spin looks ok. There is slight left/right play, could be nothing?
Also considering the car has over 170k it might need a replacement? joints are prob bad?

 

[Riggs]

I would just pull off the driveshaft . It's only 8 bolts. Then you can inspect the ujoints and double cardan for slop .

I'm sure it could be checked while it's installed, but pulling it gives you a chance to grease everything up even if it checks out perfectly .

And yeah, there should be no slop in any of it. It's a bitch to rebuild so let's hope its not that. But it's worth checking before throwing new parts around .

 

[turtle1025]

Took both front hubs and spindles out, checked everything and put back together. Sound is still there. Btw the abs sensor is a bitch to take out.
WIll be checking the driveshaft tomorrow as suggested by @Riggs.

 

[turtle1025]

I would just pull off the driveshaft . It's only 8 bolts. Then you can inspect the ujoints and double cardan for slop .

I'm sure it could be checked while it's installed, but pulling it gives you a chance to grease everything up even if it checks out perfectly .

And yeah, there should be no slop in any of it. It's a bitch to rebuild so let's hope its not that. But it's worth checking before throwing new parts around .

If I find a problem with the front driveshaft, would it be cheaper/easier to just buy an aftermarket one? Seems like it comes balanced with ujoints already installed.

 

[Gunfixr]

Unless you're driving around in 4wd, or have the hubs locked, the front driveshaft shouldn't even be turning, or only coasting. It would not be under a load.

My double cardan joint started going bad, had a little slop, but it didn't make noise. It vibrated, but only at certain speeds/conditions.

So, I went back, and re-read your OP. You said the sound was more pronounced at over 30mph. Does the sound steadily increase with speed, or is it just quieter below 30, and louder somewhere at 30 or higher? Something grinding or dragging somewhere would be affected by speed.
You also mention auto hubs. Is one of them maybe engaging, and spinning one side of your front end?

 

[turtle1025]

Unless you're driving around in 4wd, or have the hubs locked, the front driveshaft shouldn't even be turning, or only coasting. It would not be under a load.

My double cardan joint started going bad, had a little slop, but it didn't make noise. It vibrated, but only at certain speeds/conditions.

So, I went back, and re-read your OP. You said the sound was more pronounced at over 30mph. Does the sound steadily increase with speed, or is it just quieter below 30, and louder somewhere at 30 or higher? Something grinding or dragging somewhere would be affected by speed.
You also mention auto hubs. Is one of them maybe engaging, and spinning one side of your front end?

How would I know if one of my hubs are locking on its own? Would I feel or hear something? 4x4 light turn on?

I can reproduce the issue by:
1. Turning right going around 5-10mph coasting
2. Going 40-50mph and holding steering wheel right maybe 1/8-1/4 turn
3. Highway 60+ only when holding the steering wheel right 1/8 turn. Straightening the wheel or holding lefts the noise goes away.

I am not sure now about the loudness of the sound. Maybe I can hear it easier at lower speeds because of less ambient noise. If I can hear the sounds when coasting maybe its not a speed thing?

Thanks for all the feedback!

 

[Gunfixr]

Well, the hub thing is an easy test. Remove both hubs, take some sort of plastic, a piece big enough to cover the opening, go back onto the hub, and tape it with a wide tape, to close it up.
Obviously, no 'wheeling, no puddle driving, I prob wouldn't do this in the rain. You just want to keep road debris and dirt out of those new bearings. Go a mile or two down the road, whatever is enough to hear the noise, and come back. It's either gone or it isn't, only expense is plastic and tape.
If the noise is still there, put the hubs back. If it's gone, you can put one back, and drive again, it's either back, or not.
If it turns out to be a hub, i'd rework or replace both, they're the same age, same use.

 

[turtle1025]

Well, the hub thing is an easy test. Remove both hubs, take some sort of plastic, a piece big enough to cover the opening, go back onto the hub, and tape it with a wide tape, to close it up.
Obviously, no 'wheeling, no puddle driving, I prob wouldn't do this in the rain. You just want to keep road debris and dirt out of those new bearings. Go a mile or two down the road, whatever is enough to hear the noise, and come back. It's either gone or it isn't, only expense is plastic and tape.
If the noise is still there, put the hubs back. If it's gone, you can put one back, and drive again, it's either back, or not.
If it turns out to be a hub, i'd rework or replace both, they're the same age, same use.

Wow never thought about testing the hubs this way. This is great, thanks @Gunfixr! Gonna try today

 

[turtle1025]

Well, the hub thing is an easy test. Remove both hubs, take some sort of plastic, a piece big enough to cover the opening, go back onto the hub, and tape it with a wide tape, to close it up.
Obviously, no 'wheeling, no puddle driving, I prob wouldn't do this in the rain. You just want to keep road debris and dirt out of those new bearings. Go a mile or two down the road, whatever is enough to hear the noise, and come back. It's either gone or it isn't, only expense is plastic and tape.
If the noise is still there, put the hubs back. If it's gone, you can put one back, and drive again, it's either back, or not.
If it turns out to be a hub, i'd rework or replace both, they're the same age, same use.

Tried this test. Took out both hubs, covered them with ziplocs and tape. The sound is still there, I noticed I dont have to be accelerating and still get it when holding a bit right on the steering, at slow speeds 10-15mph

 

[turtle1025]

A little update. Haven't had much time last weekend. So far i got the rear driveshaft off and the joints seemed ok. Not good but ok, don't think its coming from that.

The front driveshaft however, I found something strange. I followed Gacknars Auto locking hub test.
1. Put car in Neutral, blocked tires
2. Got under the car and tried to move the front driveshaft one direction. I was able to rotate it 1/8 a turn and then it got kind of stuck. I put more force into it and was able to get the rotation unstuck. It would do this a few more rotations until I believe I heard the hubs lock and the driveshaft not turning anymore.

My question is, is this normal? shouldn't the driveshaft basically turn without obstruction until it locks the hubs?
I was also unable to unlock the hubs by rotating the driveshaft the other way. It just wouldn't budge.

 

[Tony R]

Another thought, though out there. Do you have stick on wheel weights? Once they put thick ones on and they rubbed against the disc anti rattle clips on the calipers. Had to squeeze in the clips so they would not rub, With the 15" wheels, not a lot of room. When you turn, it may put enough force to cause them to rub. Is the brake dust shield possibly rubbing?

Like your Great Dane!! Ours is 11 now..

 

[turtle1025]

Another thought, though out there. Do you have stick on wheel weights? Once they put thick ones on and they rubbed against the disc anti rattle clips on the calipers. Had to squeeze in the clips so they would not rub, With the 15" wheels, not a lot of room. When you turn, it may put enough force to cause them to rub. Is the brake dust shield possibly rubbing?

Like your Great Dane!! Ours is 11 now..

Hmm great idea, I'll have to check the wheel again. If i see them, i have a spare tire (not full size) I can throw on each side for rub testing. I checked the rotor if its rubbing against the shield, seems ok. Maybe I'll try spinning the wheels while the steering is fully turned.

I'd still love some feedback on my front driveshaft if anyone has any info

I love my Dane, his name is Turtle 8yrs old. Still acts like a pup like when I first got him. Hope to see him live long as yours!

 

[turtle1025]

I realized the driveshaft issue might be some other issue all together. I hope no one minds, but I'll be creating a new post in the noob section for it.

 

[Tony R]

I realized the driveshaft issue might be some other issue all together. I hope no one minds, but I'll be creating a new post in the noob section for it.

You could remove the driveshaft and drive without it to eliminate it from the equation. If it still has the noise, then it may be in the front hubs or stub axles. I have manual hubs so I cannot help on the auto hubs

 

[turtle1025]

You could remove the driveshaft and drive without it to eliminate it from the equation. If it still has the noise, then it may be in the front hubs or stub axles. I have manual hubs so I cannot help on the auto hubs

Good Idea. I'll try that, driving without the front shaft. If its not the shaft I'll start looking at the ujoints on the front axle. Wish I checked when I replaced the spindle bearings.

 

[Gunfixr]

Well, at least the locking hubs aren't the problem.