On my 04 4x4 FX4, every time I make a right turn, or when backing up with wheels turned right, I'm hearing a rumbling in the front end. Obviously its worse while I'm towing my travel trailer so family camping trips aren't happening anytime soon. Can anyone help me solve this. I absolutely hate going to shops because there's always that "we can take care of that for ya" chat. I've replaced replace both hub actuators and all the IWE parts that's required. Few sets of brakes and a couple of calipers. Wheel bearings only seems like the only logical reason to me.

 

It could be something with the CV joints or the front differential.

 

Oh man don't tell me that

 

Best suggestion is to jack it up, and turn the wheels. Listen carefully to what you hear.

 

When you are driving the truck and rock it back and forth left and right is the noise audible when you turn right? Usually, that means the left side wheel bearing is making the noise when it is loaded more by turning right but not necessarily. When mine did that I had the left side wheel bearing hub replaced and fixed it. Later it started making the same noise when turning right. I thought the new hub had failed but it was the right side bearing hub that was worn out. I think it depends on which of the two bearings have failed inside the hub.

 

Well, bearings are cheap. Why not just replace the front wheel bearings with new, well-packed units and see if the problem goes away. I'm not necessarily one for throwing parts at a problem, but bearings aren't exactly going to break the bank.

 

The 4x4's have bearing hubs that cost well over $100 per side.

 

I didn't say to buy new hubs, I said new bearings . . . unless the hubs aren't serviceable with a bearing press.

 

Not serviceable. Wheel bearing and hub is an assembly.

 

I just changed both my hubs because my IWE's were bad. Figured after 140K it was time. When I took them off they looked brand new. Still had good factory grease, needle bearings looked brand new. I would definitely check CV. Think you can get the whole axle at a reasonable price.

 

So wheel bearings are good. Found a bulge in my tire and replaced both the fronts. Thumping and pulling stopped. However, still have the grinding while backing up and turning wheel.

 

2WD is a rotor unit, completely built. Makes it simple to replace the entire rotor. But more expensive at the same time.