Hi, 2001 DRV 3500 5.9

My DIY years are over and I had a mobile mechanic replace the front rotor/bearing combinations on my van. This was the last work I had done at the end of a major rebuild of steering and break components.

Since those last parts went in I’ve had an on and off “whirring” sound from the front left wheel especially on right hand turns- even slight turns right. It’s not loud or persistent but twice the noise included a crackling sound like an aluminum can being shredded- not a good sound at all.

The mechanic went back and adjusted the inner wheel dust covers and also the metal shims that keep the disc pads in place to make sure they weren’t rubbing moving wheel parts. When I told him I still had the noise he said he would check “the adjustment” of the new bearings. I assume he meant tighten or loosed the lock nut that holds the bearings in.

I’ve only put about 60 miles on the van with the new bearings and my question is considering the noises described what are the chances the new bearings may already be damaged and need replaced, not just adjusted? My concern is that a simple adjustment stops the noise but I’ve got metal bits mixed with the bearing grease that will cause me trouble. The only reason I replaced the bearings was preventative maintenance because I bought the van with 70K miles with no idea if the bearings had ever been repacked with grease and now have 107K miles on them.

thanks in advance.

 

The backplate for the rotor likely got bent inwards during the last brake work and rubs the rotor on occasion. I have had that happen, and it sounds just as you described.

 

Thanks.
I’ll have to check but I think what’s called the “backplate for the rotor” I mistakenly called the “inner wheel dust covers”. I’m not sure where I came up with that name I used including maybe made it up.

I was referring to the fairly thin metal plates behind (towards the middle of the van’s lengthwise centerline) all the brake and rotor parts. The mechanic did come back to check that. He took the wheels off, inspected the plates and then pried the bottom of both plates a little bit further inward (towards the centerline). Besides checking the “adjustment of the bearings” I’ll ask him to recheck those plates.

 

UPDATE;

The bearings were OK but one of the upper ball joints is wobbly. I’m getting them both replaced with Moogs and hope the noise is gone.
Both upper ball joints Moog parts and labor for $440.

 

Not doing lowers as well??

 

Lowers and a ton more already recently replaced. Before all that work the mechanic checked the upper ball joints and said they were good. But one wasn't. The uppers weren't replaced all that many miles ago but I think because I didn't do the rest of the front suspension and steering back then and let it go and after "clunking" around for the last year ago it may have messed the uppers up.

im glad this little noise I've been chasing down led to finding a bad ball joint. Just hope the sound gets fixed in the process.