I'm installing new callipers, brakes, brake lines, and rotors. While I have it all off, I inspected the hub and cv shaft. They SEEM to be "good to go". If either IS bad, will it be obvious without further removal? Should I re pack the front bearing while I'm at it, or just leave em alone? I usually "fix things till they're broke"!!

 

Just check to make sure Ur cv boots don't have any cuts in them, don't think u can actually check them unless Ur driving and hear popping while turning, and Ur wheel bearing to check those, mount wheel/tire back on with it jacked off ground, and put one hand on top of tire and one on bottom and check for lateral play, if it feels loose could be bad bearing

 

Yeah, thanks. I'll do that. Heard some light grinding noises, but could have been the bad callipers/brakes! Thanks again

 

Got everything on, and still have the grinding/binding noise and feel, when I start out with wheel turned. Any idea what that might be? Not a popping noise, just grinding. Wheel bearing seemed ok, but maybe not!

 

More detail plz, drive at low speed in an area where u can make complete right and left turns, and Letme know exactly when the sound occurs

 

I dis what u suggested in prkng lot...couldn't get it to do it! It ALMOST acts like its in 4wd when its happening. Can it randomly "slip" in/out of 4wd? I wouldn't think so. Symptoms: LIGHT grinding noise/binding feeling when turning (not the tires rubbing) happens randomly!

 

Here goes a dumb question!: do the front wheel hubs on a 93 Dakota 4X4 have anything to do with the operation of the 4wd? Or do they ONLY house the wheel bearing? I'm assuming that it's that the transfer case engages the cv shaft, powering the front wheels. Ps I get a "humming" noise from the transfer case area @ highway speeds. Also can feel vibration when touching the transfer case shifter handle @ highway speeds. Is that normal?

 

The front hubs on our trucks is the wheel bearings and where the CV axle shaft holds it together with the giant nut, and the CV axle shaft is splined to spin the hub/tire. The transfercase engages the front driveshaft to the front axle. On 93 down it has a CAD Central Axle Disconnect to disconnect one axle shaft from the axle internals to keep down on the rotating mass.

It is normal to feel vibrations on the 4wd shifter. It is bolted directly to the transmission.

 

I can see ur point on the vibration. Thanks for the insight! Also, I noticed the symptoms after my 27 mile drive to work, then right turn. Doesn't do it around town. Also after 27 mi ride back home, and right turn to the house! Weird huh?