When you jack the truck up and turn one of the front tires, if the hub makes noises, not loud, just kinda a metal on metal sound, does that means that it is going bad? I cannot hear it at all while driving, just when i jack it up and hand rotate it makes a sound. If it is going bad, how many miles, at this stage, do you think i can go before changing it?

Thanks

 

that or the axle ujoint if its a 4X4

 

If you had a bearing going bad, you'd definately hear it when driving...growling as I describe it, gets louder with speed and changes pitch when swaying back and forth (without hitting anyone obviously :P)...a couple of things come to mind...how are the brake pads? Obviously, if they're worn down to metal, it'll do that, but you should be able to hear & feel that when braking...provided they're ok, I'm thinking it may be the normal miniscule clearance between the pads and rotor...as long as you can freely spin the wheel, it's ok...we're talking thousandths of an inch of clearance, so they do rub a little...other thing could be the metal backing plate behind the rotor...is it rusted/flimsy? They just rot away and end up rubbing on the rotor...p.i.t.a to replace, gotta remove the hub and it's rusty-*** 12-point bolts as it's secured behind it.

EDIT: Ahh yes, possible u-joint also...is it a metal rubbing sound, or clanking sound?

 

Brake pads come to my mind as well. They might not be worn down. It might just be the lack of clearance between them (as mentioned). Either that or your rotor has some warpage.

 

Yeah my first guess was the rotors, when was the last time you replaced them/turned them? Check the brakes, when you are stopping in the vehicle do you notice it "bouncing" back and forth when you brake lightly? If so then my money is on the rotors

as others have said though, U-joints may be a possibility if its a 4x4

 

First question is are you rocking the wheel up and down or side to side.

Up and down or a close angle is good for checking the bearing. If there is play then either bearing or ball joints. The bearing can be loose and not hear it. Mine was silent but the wheel was tilted. When the tire left the ground while jacking, you could see the tire tilt.

Side to side play could be numerous stuff as previously mentioned. Need to get someone to rock the wheel while you are under there and find the source. Otherwise you could hunt for days. Trac bar, tie rod ends, ball joint, steering box. My thought was if there was a brake issue then it would surface while driving and or using.

 

sounds like ur u-joint, i got the same problem and im going to get my u-joint replaced in a few days.