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73-87 Chevy _ GMC Trucks => Brakes, Frame, Steering & Suspension => Topic started by: SUX2BU99 on July 22, 2012, 12:34:32 pm

Title: Clicking/creaking noise from front wheel
Post by: SUX2BU99 on July 22, 2012, 12:34:32 pm
At low speeds, or when I'm next to a barrier to hear the reflection, I can hear a clicking sort of a noise from the passenger side front wheel. When I'm reversing or steering and rolling it's especially noticeable. What is this? Bearing? Ball joint? It's kind of embarrasing when you are rolling at low speed hearing the cam lope along and then you hear this click-click-click sound  lol
Title: Re: Clicking/creaking noise from front wheel
Post by: zieg85 on July 22, 2012, 12:44:35 pm
I would start by jacking the RF wheel of the ground and give it a spin.  I definitely could be a wheel bearing...
Title: Re: Clicking/creaking noise from front wheel
Post by: Sartobuilt on July 22, 2012, 01:44:44 pm
Or a loose centercap. Keep in mind that you might not hear a bad bearing with  it jacked up with no load.
Title: Re: Clicking/creaking noise from front wheel
Post by: slammed79 on July 22, 2012, 03:10:05 pm
Has your chassis been lubed lately? It could be a balljoint making noise.
Title: Re: Clicking/creaking noise from front wheel
Post by: SUX2BU99 on July 24, 2012, 11:50:06 pm
It's rotational though and increases with speed so perhaps it's the bearing. I can do the wheel-wobble test for a ball joint easily enough with the truck jacked up but how does one determine it's the bearing? Good idea to check the center cap. i remember when I had my 81 Jimmy I heard a sound kind of the same and the center cap of my rallye wheels was loose.
Title: Re: Clicking/creaking noise from front wheel
Post by: bd on July 25, 2012, 01:56:45 am
A bad wheel bearing may feel rough when you spin the wheel, but unloaded on jacks, it would need to be pretty bad....  If you think it's the wheel bearings, you should remove them for a visual.

But, before you remove the wheel, check for a loose brake pad 'clicking' in the caliper.