Front End Noise In 1998 Tacoma

Hello everyone. I need some advice.

I've got a 1998 Tacoma, and very suddenly a clunking sound developed somewhere in the front end. It speeds up and slows down with the tire rotation while driving. It doesn't seem to make any difference whether I'm driving in 2w2 or 4w4. I don't notice a change in sound while turning. Could it be wheel bearings if the sound doesn't get worse while turning? I'm thinking that, in 2x2, there's nothing else that would "clunk" with tire rotation since the hubs are not turned in and so forth.

Ideas?

 

Could be something with the brake rotor.

 

I checked the brake rotor. Looks great on both sides. I did notice some play in the left side wheel bearing. I suppose that's the problem, as it's my understanding in that particular model of truck there is to be NO play in the wheel bearings. Odd thing is, I had the left side wheel bearings replaced and pressed in about a year ago. Everything was fine until recently. Apparently the bearing failed or something was not put together correctly.

 

clunking sound would be more like a suspension problem. Bearing is a grinding/rotational sound.

 

Yes. Thank you. I did not do a very good job of describing the sound. It is a grinding/rotational sound, with a pronounced loud point which follows the speed of the wheel rotation. I used the word "clunk" in reference to the loud point. When the truck speeds up, the loud point speeds up. Same with slowing down. There's also a vibration with it that can be felt in the shifter.

One person I talked to, thought it might be the front bearing in the differential or transfer case?

 

check wheel bearings, axles and front diff.

 

If it has manual hubs the axle shouldnt be turning. But there still is a possibility the locking mechanism is eating it self in the hub.

 

Check the dust shield for contact on the brake rotors.

 

thats sounds like my bearing. it vibrated the whole front end.