Random noise help!!

[bluedragon436]

I have noticed a sound off an on from the drivers side front like brake or hub area... that sounds like a rattle, but goes with the bounce of the tire sort of as I am going roughly 15-25mph... I played a bit tonight with the window open, and notice that it stops completely when I tap the brakes a little bit... was thinking it might of been because I was slowing down, but when I use the gas to keep a constant speed, and slightly apply the brakes the noise still stops even with the Jeep still going 15-25... anyone have any ideas what this might be... I thought at first it might have been the hub... but wouldn't think that would stop when I lightly apply the brakes...

[Brasscatz]

At first I was going to say check your shock mounts... mine were loose and were rattling. BUT, now I'm thinking caliper? Makes sense that a loose caliper would stop making noise when the pads are squeezing the rotor. Hell, how about a loose pad?

[bluedragon436]

Yeah I'm kind of thinking that too... my pads are only about 6 months old... so I'm hoping maybe I some how managed to leave a bolt lose on the caliper or something... it is a really annoying sound...

[Brasscatz]

And a nervous sound too - dealing with the wheel! Especially when you've had a wheel fly off a vehicle! It's not fun!

[bluedragon436]

Yeah I have been really worried it was my hub, until tonight when I got it to stop with tapping the brakes... so in a way it was a little bit easing to me to find that I am pretty sure it isn't the hub... at least I don't think it would stop when I tap the brake if it was...

[cantab27]

could be a stone in there mate..

[bluedragon436]

Yeah I'm going to try and take a look at it some more tomorrow... might climb in from the back side and see if I can see anything being loose, and might even try and tighten the caliper a little bit while I'm down there...

[bluedragon436]

It's raining too much to get under there right now... but I did notice when I made a run for food... that the sound does seem like it goes with the speed I am traveling... the faster I go the more the noise seems to occur (the faster it seems the part that is making the noise goes)... but no matter what speed I am going it does stop when I tap the brakes a little bit...

[LizardRunner]

check the pad retainers it is possible for those to get stretched just enough to be loose and pressure on the pads would make it stop while the pressure is on the brakes.

[bluedragon436]

I'll have to do this as soon as I get back from my next flight... I am hoping it is as simple as that, or a loose caliper or something... I tried wiggling it by hand tonight, and the caliper didn't budge much at all... so I don't think it is a loose caliper... but am still going to try tightening it up, just in case...

[Pookapotamus]

also jack it up by the axel and take the weight off the wheel and check ball joints and hub bearing and the axel retaining nut, might seam excessive but any pressure on the brake will tighten up the whole assembly causing the noise to go away, and a good thorough check never hurts!

Good Luck

pook

[bluedragon436]

Yeah was kind of thining that I would do a good check when I get back of everything up there... just to make sure it isn't anything major like the ball joints or hub bearing... which I was more thinking the hub than just about anything else honestly.... since it would be the most expensive part to replace... LOL

[Brasscatz]

If it turns out to be the hub bearing... let me know. I might have a deal for ya.

[bluedragon436]

Well still doesn't help me narrow it down any...but today I kicked the tire while it was on the ground, like front to back or back to front, not the side.... and it still makes like a rattle sound.... so still not real sure what is going on... going to put it up on the lift and take the tire off and see if I can figure out what is up... I am thinking since it only makes the sound when I kick the front or the back of the tire that it is more of a hub bearing or ball joint causing the noise than a brake pad....

[Pookapotamus]

loose dust shield???

[cantab27]

dont kick it then..................

[bluedragon436]

Yeah if that was the only time it made noise I would def stop kicking it... but am trying to figure out when it makes the sound... if it is only one direction or all...