First thanks for letting me post here...and second I am no mechanic so that's why I am here! I know my parts somewhat under the hood, but i'm having some issues with my 1998 GMC JIMMY 4X4

Problem started sunday

Ol' work-truck jimmy is having some issues and I can't exactly pinpoint what the issue is..when steering, u-turns, any hard turns left or right, I get loud popping and clicking sounds. Anytime I reach 10mph and higher I get a loud repetitive noise from the front end of the truck. The noise is persistent and doesn't get louder or quieter, but is pretty loud enough to interrupt phone calls. when I take pressure off front left wheel on bends the noise isn't so bad. The noise doesn't sound like bearings. I've replaced bearings in past and this isn't hum as I get louder, this is a noise that starts at 10 mph and stays the same unless braking. I know on right side tire when replacing bearings CV axle was stuck, but I don't think that would be the issue as when I take pressure off left side noise dims. also, noise isn't consistent, it sounds like it makes the noise when the tire gets full rotation. I know rotors are a little worn, pads are new, and a new bearing.

Any comments or guiding in the right direction would be greatly appreciated!

 

Only makes the noise at slow speed, more pronounced on sharper turns? Typical symptom of a worn out CV joint. Are any of the boots torn or leaking?

 

No, noise is consistent after I reach around 10 mph and it stays at a pretty loud rate. Hard to explain the noise. I haven't noticed any leaking and have been keeping an eye on it. Should be able to jack up and check out Friday.

What would a torn CV joint look like? Noise is always there, just per tire rotate or second by second it will roar

 

You would see a torn CV boot, and it will spew grease and make a mess. Bad CV's don't roar, that would be more associated with a wheel bearing/hub assembly. Raise the wheel off the ground, grasp it at 6:00 and 12:00, push inboard on the top, and pull outboard on the bottom, rock it back and forth, and feel for looseness. Same thing at 3:00 and 9:00. Surefire way of pinpointing a bad bearing is with a stethoscope held on the inboard part of the knuckle, next to the hub. Gotta have power to the wheel so it is rotating, which can be dangerous, if not done properly.

 

You say it sops when applying the brakes makes me think it maybe the wear indicators on your brake pads scraping. Indicating worn brake pads or may have a frozen slide pin causing premature wear on pad.

 

Also could be rust lip on rotor rubbing wear indicators.

 

I'm trying to pin point where exactly the noise is coming from. Blazer was undrivable this morning. Same noise per tire rotation, but around 25 30 mph a new noise occurred. The truck now hums extremely loud from the front end, regardless swaying left to right. Haven't had the chance to check underneath, looked greasy on both ends of cv axle. The hum is loud enough to not carry a conversation with a passenger.

Any more suggestions? Will have all day tomorrow to pinpoint issue

 

The suggestions in the previous posts are the first things you should check. If none of those prove to be the problem you can dig deeper by checking the front differential. Start with the level and condition of the fluid. Also try to wiggle the front drive shaft, feel for bad bearings or u-joints.