Little history first, I replaced my steering knuckles today on my truck. After any maintenance i do with my truck i always drive down a abandoned road with the radio off to listen for any out of the ordinary noises.

Today, when i did this i would hear a pulsing sound coming from my driver side front wheel area. So i pulled over, double-checked all the steering components i just replaced. Everything looked good. Started driving again and still kept hearing a pulsing noise. The frequency would change with speed, so i knew it had nothing to do with the drive train. jacked the truck up and my wheel has play in it. not like ball joint play, but the studs have play. I am fairly certain its a failing hub but just want a second opinion. Its not making a grinding noise from what i read on these boards, but just a pulsating awkward noise.

 

How many miles on the truck?

If possible, find a nice straight stretch of road, get up to speed, slip it into neutral, switch the engine off and coast. Is the noise still there and does the frequency of the pulsing diminish as you slow down?

You know of course when you do this not to turn the key to the steering lock position?

 

80k miles, and i did do the kill engine coast. the noise was still there.

 

I would look closely at your brakes... did you try to slightly apply the brakes while coasting to a slower speed...Did the frequency of the noise change?
Check the condition of your pads and rotor for for being flat. (minimal runout)
Both are very easy to check and I know of several times I have run across this.

Good luck

 

Jack each wheel up and check for any movement on the hub.

The brake check idea is a good one too.

 

the sound is still there even when applying brakes. The pads or caliper has no play and looks good. all the play is in the hub (studs). Even with brakes applied i can move the hub in the very small spacing were the studs poke through the rotor. I am most certain its a failing hub. Thanks for the suggestions on the tests.

Now which hub to go with, rockauto has SKF or TIMKIN. I am liking the SKF better, but its a $100 more.

Any suggestions?

 

IIRC the factory original is Timken.

MikeyB

 

have you had to replace yours yet?

 

Nope. But I only have 55k miles on the truck now. I have heard of the 2wd hubs going 150k-200k miles before replacing. Not sure why yours went so soon.

MikeyB

 

even though im 2wd i have been on alot of forest roads during hunting/fishing season. That is what killed my balljoints a few months ago and probably a good reason my hub is going.

 

It's the hub and it's not uncommon.

 

changed the hub today, that thing was in bad shape after pulling it out.

I do have a question about the new one, after pounding the old one out and cleaning out all the rust with a wirebrush and smoothing it with a brillo pad, the new one slid right it. It actually had some wiggle room. It didnt press in but had some play. Are these suppose to be a mechanical weld and should be pressed in by the bolts or are the bolts doing all the work holding the hub in place?