Jeep Garage  - Jeep Forum banner

Pulsating noise from the front

3K views 3 replies 3 participants last post by  Frango100 
#1 ·
Ours is a 2005 Jeep GC CRD auto with just over 70,000 miles on the speedo. Less than 2 months or 2000 miles ago we had a major service on the Jeep and in addition to the all the normal service the fluids in the front and rear axles were changed.
We did not use the Jeep much initially and then only on rural roads however recently we did a long tour with a caravan using motorways or freeways. Initially the car was quiet, but over distance and time we noticed that there appeared to be noise coming from the front which was getting louder the more we used the car.
Difficult to describe the noise, but at a low speed and when cornering slow it is like a pulsating drone and you can hear it pulsating and as speed increases the pulsating increases until it becomes one continuous annoying drone. I know diff whine which is normaly high pitched but this is a low pitch drone.
We are very concerned that maybe the incorrect or insufficient fluid was put into the diff or the correct additive was not used.
The noise only started after the servicing. I could be coincidence but we are very wary of service garages. Not sure if it could be a wheel bearing but as a mechanically noob it is a guess.
Any input would be welcome. Thanks.
 
#2 ·
Does the sound change when you turn in one direction vs. the other? If it is a wheel bearing, it should get louder when turning in one direction and quieter when turning in the opposite direction as the bearing is loaded an unloaded.

The noise you describe sounds more like a wheel bearing than differential.

You can also jack the front up and see if you can feel any play in the wheel bearing. If you grab the wheel at 3 and 9 and try to rock the wheel and then at 12 and 6 and do the same, if the bearing is really bad you'll feel movement. When lifting the car, follow all safety precautions before grabbing and shaking the wheels!
 
#3 ·
If turning to the left, the noise is loud almost as if it is rubbing on something on and off. When you straighten up the noise is still there, but as you speed up it becomes a continuous noise. If a wheel bearing I am wondering if thsi is a simple or complicate job on a Jeep. The vehicle needs to go to the Jeep dealership next week for the serpentine belt to be changed so maybe ask them to check the noise.
 
#4 ·
Besides a wheel bearing, it could also be a drive shaft joint (don´t know if WK uses CV or u joint)
 
This is an older thread, you may not receive a response, and could be reviving an old thread. Please consider creating a new thread.
Top