Hi All,

I have this rubbing/grinding noise in my front end. It's not super noticeable, but I can definitely hear it. It's speed based, as I can tell it's faster the faster I'm moving. It almost sounds like a wheel hub going bad, but I lifted it up, gave the wheels a wiggle, and there isn't any play. I can here it even more if I lean over, and my head is above the center console. Does anyone have any ideas?

I checked the front diff fluid and its full. The Ujoints in the front drive shaft seem good, but I was going to take it out and give it a better look. Everyone keeps telling me I'm hearing things, but I know I'm not crazy, and I'm on my second XJ so I know its not normal. It is bugging the **** out of me!

 

RTD (Run To Distruction). Run it until the rubbing noise turns into a screaming noise, as in the hub bearing finally shelling out, then replace the offending hub(s).

Inspect the brake rotor stone shields for being bent over and rubbing on the brake rotor(s).

See if the front drive shaft U-Joints are defective (you know this).

Edit: Remove the front drive shaft and drive it to see if the noise goes away.

Check the fluid level in your TC.

 

I know you did the wheel hub check but that does not always work. I had the same described noise in my 97 sport and kept thinking it could not be the front wheel bearings because "it passed the test"...well I finally went ahead a replaced them and that is exactly what it was.
Edit: Mine was the front pax side and I did the work myself.

 

Had a similar thing happen to me........damn lug nuts were loose. Make sure they are good and tight : )

 

What you are describing sounds like front hub bearings.

The wiggle test usually won't work as the sealed hub doesn't develop free play like the old type did.

I've had several go out on various vehicles over the years. My symptoms sounded about like yours. It can be hard to track down sometimes.

 

Well I jacked up the front wheels, and gave them a spin, and I have the scraping/rubbing sounds on both sides. I really think it's the hubs now. I'm just hoping it isn't the rotors rubbing the breaks. Only reason I say that is because it doesn't sound like the typical bad wheel hub, like the bearings are loose. And it doesn't seem much worse when I turn and the weight is put on one side or the other. It definitely was coming from around the wheel, and not by the diff, and was a little worse on one side over the other.

I just want to fix it and be done with it, instead of replace both wheel hubs and the sound still be there. I'm not paranoid about my xj, but I want it to be in great shape, and it's the only thing I notice instead of enjoying driving my jeep!

 

Remove the pads or the caliper from each side. Re-install the wheel if you need to and give it a spin.

If the noise is still there, you know what you have to do next.

 

Removed the caliper and the sound is gone when I spin the wheel, so now I'm pretty sure it's NOT the hubs. So frustrating! I want that sound to be gone!

 

Caliper pistons could be partially frozen, not letting the pads retract from the disc surface.

 

That's possible. I took of the caliper on the passenger side, and it was a PITA to get off, then when I put them back on it was a PITA again to get them back on. I had to hit them with my hand to get them to slide on all the way. Now the rubbing sound is even worse! I'm going to have my buddy check it out today.

It's a PITA because I found a diamond in the rough with my XJ. It's a 97 with 57,500 miles (1,500 of which I put on myself) and in great condition, but it did sit for a little bit. Maybe just a few things here and there that need to be tweaked since it sat. It was taken out here and there, but not enough!

 

If the pads are OK, just get 2 reman calipers, switch them out, and bleed all the brakes until the fluid is clear.

That should stop the noise.

 

Come to find out that it was my front drive shaft. I removed it and the sound is gone. Only thing I can't figure out is why it's the drive shaft. From what I can tell the U-joints don't have any play in them. Also, it doesn't seem like the DS was ever taken off, so I don't think it was install in a different way at some point.

I think I'll just take the front shaft of my old xj, and swap it in. Only problem now is that the orientation won't be the same. Hopefully I wont have any vibes. Any ideas on this?