Chasing down vibration/oscillating noise

Hey everyone.

I’ve been searching previous posts here, to avoid the new guy mistake of being incapable of looking for myself first. Just trying to get some recent experiences/feedback on this.

Just had my shocks and struts replaced about 2 weeks ago by a shop nearby. I can’t remember hearing this sound, or feeling this vibration in the steering wheel, pedals and floorboard, before that was done. Not trying to blame the shop, but trying to figure out the cause without throwing money at diagnostics.

I’ve read a few articles about the needle bearing troubleshooting. The sound is very similar to what a bad wheel bearing sounds like, but it doesn’t seem to be there when I’m in 4H. Kinda crosses off wheel bearing in my mind.

Basically, is there anything I should check before dropping my axles? Has anyone else had this occur, and fixed it? Curious of the cost of a shop doing it versus me driveway mechanic-ing it out. I use this truck as my daily obviously, so I’d like to avoid it being out of commission.

sorry for the long winded post, any help is appreciated 1000%.

 

If it goes a way in 4WD, you pretty much diagnosed it.
Yes, I've had the problem.
Yes, My truck is stock. Not lifted. And it still happened.

I did it in a driveway myself.
To be honest, if you can do the brakes (rotors) on these trucks.
You can do the bearing. If you buy the the tools from ECGS, it's not to bad.
It looks intimidating. But it's not too bad. A novice DIYer' could have it done in 4-5 hours.
Maybe faster depending on the person.

A guy that turns wrenches everyday, and is motivated, could have it done in a couple hours.
Maybe less if he is "fast".

I'm slow.....
It took me a full 5-6 hours.
But I also did a wheel bearing and diff fluid change too.
And since I never did it before, I took breaks and assessed the the situation many times.
And did I mention, I'm slow.......

The MOST IMPORTANT part is, Make sure to jam a plastic bag in behind the bearing BEFORE you pull the bearing.
If it comes apart, and the needles fall into the diff, call it done. The day just went went south.


The things needed will be

1. Bearing puller
2. Bushing install tool
3. New Axle seal (Not always need, but why not)
4. 35mm Socket
5. The usual Metric tools set. 10, 12, 14, 17, 10mm Allen......

 

AND, once you remove the brake caliper, you can remove the bottom two ball joint bolts (support the lower control arm), pop the axle shaft out of the diff and swing the whole knuckle/hub assembly forward without removing the axle from the hub. Just use a bungie cord to hold the assembly forward and out of your way.

 

Replaced mine at 60k miles, stock. Lifted it at 70k miles. Now at 144k miles and no problems.

There are a few good videos on YouTube that are about changing it out.

 

So as others have pointed out, if the noise goes away with 4wd engaged then it's likely the needle bearing.

 

Welcome to TW…