UPDATE: I think I have a bad rear bearing - Fixed - NOT a bearing

Fifty150hs · #1 10-19-2020, 10:37 AM

I've developed a noise in the right rear of my X that I can only ear starting from a stop. I don't know if that is because it stops at higher speed or I can't hear it at higher speed. It's kind of a ticking/clinking sound that is definitely associated with axle rotation.

I put it up on jack stands this weekend and put it in gear and listened at the rear axle, bearing, etc with the wheel off. It didn't make as much noise as when driving, but it was making a click/clinking noise as it rotated. Because I've hear "clicking" is associated with a bad CV I listened to everything in that area with a stethoscope.

The sound was definitely not coming from the CV it was where the bearing is located. So, I'm pretty sure it's the bearing, but from my research, they supposedly make a "wah wah" noise when being driven. I don't have that noise.

Anyone have any ideas? I went ahead and ordered a replacement, but I can return it if that isn't it. And I'd prefer to not go to all the trouble if it is likely something else.

Truck has 256,000 miles and is throwing no codes. (Since I changed the transfer case gear two weeks ago any way.)

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crystalworks · #2 10-19-2020, 11:42 AM

Only time I've experienced a ticking/clinking (very metallic) was driveshaft related. Could only hear it leaving a stand still. Cured by full front/rear DS service, excepting shaft itself and rear CV joint. Don't know exactly which part (or lubrication) solved it. See 14 seconds into this video.

Just an idea. I have no experience with bearing failure... yet.

80stech · #3 10-19-2020, 01:00 PM

Can you make the tick by turning the wheel back and forth by hand ? The noise transfers easily and since you can't listen with stethoscope on a rotating part it's easy to be fooled. Putting your hand on the CV joint while someone is rocking the wheel might be more telling. It might also be something lose in the parking brake drum or something making contact on rotation.

Fifty150hs · #4 10-19-2020, 03:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by crystalworks

Only time I've experienced a ticking/clinking (very metallic) was driveshaft related. Could only hear it leaving a stand still. Cured by full front/rear DS service, excepting shaft itself and rear CV joint. Don't know exactly which part (or lubrication) solved it. See 14 seconds into this video.

Just an idea. I have no experience with bearing failure... yet.

It's a good thought, but I isolated the sound to the area of the bearing. Doesn't sound quite like yours, but close. And it's definitely right side.

Fifty150hs · #5 10-19-2020, 03:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 80stech

Can you make the tick by turning the wheel back and forth by hand ? The noise transfers easily and since you can't listen with stethoscope on a rotating part it's easy to be fooled. Putting your hand on the CV joint while someone is rocking the wheel might be more telling. It might also be something lose in the parking brake drum or something making contact on rotation.

It made a slight noise when turning by hand. Hard to isolate exactly where. I had it on jack stands, put it in gear while it was running and let the axles spin while I listened with the stethoscope.

andrewwynn · #6 10-20-2020, 12:57 AM

If you have 255s put on the spare the opposite races will take the load in the bearing and you'll know right away.

If you can get the tick to be repeated reliable use a vibration app and get a tick per second and do some math to determine how many clicks per revolution.

If it's 5/6 (number of balls in CV it's the CV), if it's 2/3 it's likely in the bearing. (though usually bearing will be 1x).

Both wife and my X have a bad bearing coincidentally both front left.
Have the new bearings but haven't had the time to install so I put 235s on our front lefts and all the bearing howl is completely absent.

andrewwynn · #7 10-20-2020, 01:05 AM

Putting the spare on that corner will almost always confirm if it's the bearing. Sometimes makes the sound worse but usually makes it go away.

The first bearing I needed to replace was front right and it was perfectly silent until I traded a pair of my 255s to my wife so she could have square setup while I was getting some tires mounted. I put our two 245 spares on my front and from my moment I drove it sounded like I had sand in my bearings.

I put one 255 on at a time and it was Instant detection which corner was at fault. I've used the method ever since and it's 100% detection. 235s (and apparently 245s) will push the top of the wheel out and 255s will push the top of the wheel in. This has worked with 7.5, 8.0 and I think 8.5" rims but unsure of the ET on each just know due whatever rims I've used it's worked. The basic crappy 17" rim used for the 235 spare is the perfect test case.

Fifty150hs · #8 10-20-2020, 09:32 AM

[QUOTE=andrewwynn;1193411]If you have 255s put on the spare the opposite races will take the load in the bearing and you'll know right away.

If you can get the tick to be repeated reliable use a vibration app and get a tick per second and do some math to determine how many clicks per revolution.

If it's 5/6 (number of balls in CV it's the CV), if it's 2/3 it's likely in the bearing. (though usually bearing will be 1x).

Both wife and my X have a bad bearing coincidentally both front left.
Have the new bearings but haven't had the time to install so I put 235s on our front lefts and all the bearing howl is completely absent.[/QUOTE

Unfortunately, I have 17" wheels, so the spare is the same, so that's not an option. I have the vibration app. I'll try that. You talk about the bearing "howl" and that's teh weird thing in my case I don't have it. Just this weirld noise starting from stop until it either goes away or road noise makes so I can't hear it.

One other thing I have noticed is that it is particularly pronounced when starting up into a left turn from stop. Makes me think even more that it could be the bearing as maybe that sideways pressure of the turn puts more pressure on the bearing?

80stech · #9 10-20-2020, 11:14 AM

Play with the parking brake a bit, maybe even a cracked drum.

andrewwynn · #10 10-20-2020, 04:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Fifty150hs

Unfortunately, I have 17" wheels, so the spare is the same, so that's not an option. I have the vibration app. I'll try that. You talk about the bearing "howl" and that's teh weird thing in my case I don't have it. Just this weirld noise starting from stop until it either goes away or road noise makes so I can't hear it.

One other thing I have noticed is that it is particularly pronounced when starting up into a left turn from stop. Makes me think even more that it could be the bearing as maybe that sideways pressure of the turn puts more pressure on the bearing?

You're missing the closing ] on my quote so it looks like you error wrote it.

17" 235s? Do you have any local friends with X5 and 255s?

It doesn't sound like a bearing to me. It sounds like a suspension thing like worn bushing eg dif mount or subframe.

It's impossible to simulate suspension forces by hand. Static non moving load is 1600# per rear corner.

Somebody makes a tool that is basically an old rotor with an 8' pole welded on. You can apply 1000+ ft·lb of torque with the thing and with a buddy it's the best tool I've seen to track down suspension quirks.

I would say odds are good that it's inside the drum; parking brake dragging. You can adjust it looser to test or remove the rotor and clean out the rust and replace it.

If you get tick or click in slow corner or can be the dust shield covering the brake drum combined with some rust that's built up to touch when things shift

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