bad cv joint or bad wheel hub?

Question

I have a 2001 dodge dakota 4x4. back in november on the drivers side while I was doing normal driving I was hearing a constant squeaking sound no matter how fast I drove, I figured it was the wheel hub going bad.  Before I had a chance to fix it we got a ton of snow and I had to put it in 4 hi for a little while to get around (snow removal around here is a joke).  while I was in 4 hi  I heard a grinding click click sound while I was going STRAIGHT (no sounds while turning).  I was doing about 15 miles an hour coasting when I heard it and when I gave it some gas it stopped.  now that the snow is gone and i'm in 2 wheel the squeaking sound has stopped but when i'm coasting doing about 15MPH i can hear the grinding click click sound but its not as loud as it is when I'm in 4 wheel and when I hit the gas I don't hear it .  I have tried doing hard turns (left and right) in forward and reverse in 2 wheel and 4 wheel and I hear nothing but when I coast around 15MPH going straight I hear it. I have also tried doing the wheel wiggle trick for a bad hub and I get no play.  I'm at a loss at what it could be but the noise is right at the tire

Sayswho · Accepted Answer

The U-joint tends to make squeaking, creaking noises.
A bad bearing tends to make a kind of roaring or rumbling sound as your speed picks up.

You really need to have the front end checked out. You can do a little investigating yourself. First, turn the steering wheel to full lock ...either right or left ...doesn't matter. Jack up one front wheel ...you just need it to clear the ground so you can rotate it by hand. Slowly spin the wheel feeling and listening for any roughness or "catches" as you turn the wheel. Lower the vehicle and do the same thing on the other side. If you feel any roughness or the wheel doesn't rotate smoothly (you feel some hitches as you turn the wheel) then the U-joint on that wheel is failing. 

Since your Dakota is 12-13 years old, and if the U-joints are original, it's a safe bet they have reached or exceeded their normal service life. You really don't want to wait in getting the U-joints fixed. If a joint seizes there's a good chance it will "explode" or shatter and you run a good chance of damaging either the axle or the wheel stub.Your repair just took a quantum leap in expense to fix. And when it happens you're stuck ...time for the flat bed.

There's a good chance the other U-joints on the front and rear drive shafts are also in need of replacing.

? · Answer

Its the lower control arm assembly. You have to replace both sides. This includes the bearings in the wheel hub. Most mechanics charge around 500.00 for everything and saves u a monster headache when attempting the repair yourself. Fix now or not only will it get louder, but soon the wheel will fold in costing a lot more money

Djman · Answer

If it is not your bearings it is probably the universal joint going bad either on the front or back

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bad cv joint or bad wheel hub?

3 Answers