I think I've got an odd thing going on. two weeks ago, I put in new u-joints, shocks, and rotated tires. I haven't rotated tires in a year. Since then, I've noticed something odd. I hear a "wop-wop-wop" noise that sounds kinda like a broken belt in the tire. At first I didn't feel anything, but now I feel a slight grind/vibration in the floor board during each "wop". I've rolled down the window, but can't hear it as much as if I have the window up. I've shut the engine off and just coasting out of gear...still hear/feel it. On my way to work today, I was trying to watch the speedo; it starts around 15mph and quits around 55/60mph.

I jacked the front up and spun the tire. I don't hear any grinding. There is no play in 12/6 or 9/3 hand positions. I did notice some thing weird though on the driver's side wheel. If I *just* turn the wheel a bit, like a 1/4 - 1/2 inch, there is a "tick" noise. If I spin it slowly, I hear a rubber squealing on metal sound. I'm sure it isn't the caliper scraping on the rotor...different noise. I did record a quick sound clip of this, listen to this. First thing you hear is the tick, then the rubber squealing noise. Then you can hear me spin the tire, thumping it with my hand and you hear the rotor/brakes scratching. Finally, I move it just a bit each time to hear this tick noise.

 

I had the same sound mostly while driving.
One dealer said it was nothing, maybe the tires.
I rotated them and the same thing.
My truck is having the Lift put in and I had both bearing Packs replaced should have it back today and I will let you know if the new bearing pack do anything for the noise.

My feelings are that the bearing Packs are the problem.

 

As i said i replace both Bearing Packs when I had the truck lifted, the noise is gone.

the tires had been rotated before and no resolve so I decide to do the packs just to make sure and since the front end was apart anyway.

 

I haven't looked into it just yet, too many things going on right now. When I take a turn, the sound does not change in intensity which I'd assume a bad bearing would make.

Another possibility. I also worked on my brakes when I did all the other work. When we went to flush the front driver's side, the bleeder wouldn't open and we tried to heat it up as best we could without damaging the caliper. I don't think we were too successful as now it likes to grab hard. It isn't leaking...just grabbing.

I'm going to rotate my tires back and see if that changes anything. While I'm doing that, I'm going to check out the rotor for odd wear. I don't have a bleeder or I'd outright replace the caliper.

 

took the wheel off yesterday and the the ticking noise is coming from the brakes...they are feathering the rotor a bit much. I'll replace the caliper and see what happens.

 

Luck

 

i suggest replacing that caliper as soon as possible
a seized caliper will overheat your brakes and ultimately seize your wheel bearings

you should also completely bleed out all of the old brake fluid.
it is obvious the brake fluid is water contmainated

 

changed out the caliper, wow it feels nice to have good brakes back!!
sorry cheese, lines were bled back in Feb...

while I had the rotor and caliper off, I spun the hub....rememeber back when we'd put playing cards on your bike that stuck into the spokes?? I hear a noise like that. i guess it is wheel bearing time!

 

as rubber ages ,, it will micro crack and eventually absorb water
the easy way to prevent that ,, is to rub some lithium grease on the rubber hoses
use some force too ,, it may look unsightly but it works especially in the winter

i recommend switching to DOT6 silicone brake fluid
it does not absorb water and constantly lubricates the caliper piston

 

this weekend I attacked the wheel again. I replaced the rotor and noise is gone. bad caliper must have warped it.

that's the 2nd rotor I've warped now...first for the ranger.