Hello everyone,

I need some more help...

can someone tell me, in 2wd, would you hear a bad bearing in the front differential? Ever since I've owned this truck it has sounded like the front passenger wheel bearing was bad. I replaced the hub and it's still there - it's actually just gotten worse in the past couple days. It sounds exactly like a bad wheel bearing.

I also plan to replace the drivers side this weekend just for the hell of it, I guess..

My only other thought was that maybe the inner or outer output shaft bearing has gone bad, but it makes noise in both 2 or 4wd. If those bearings are inactive in 2wd, then what else could it be? This is a 3 switch, part-time 4wd SLE.

Thank you for any help offered

 

I mean, they would have to still be spinning right? They just aren't under power... so it could very well be a bad differential bearing...?
The differential doesnt leak fluid, and in fact the fluid was just changed about a month ago.

 

It could be a bearing. The shaft is still spinning in 2wd even though 4wd isn't engaged, the bearings are still spinning.

 

Ditto for the CV axles always rotating even when in 2wd.

When you do the driver's side, use enough of the sealant for the cover. It is not very hard to replace the bearing either when you are in there.

I've attached pages from my 1999 service manual that I found useful. A crow's foot and a ratcheting box-end wrench are super useful for a couple of the bolts.