Axles - Front Hubs; Tire Noise Diagnosis; Wheel Bearing Diagnosis; Axle Test And Diagnosis - Jeep J-10 Series 1982 Technical & Service Manual

2F-1
AXLES -
FRONT HUBS
SECTION INDEX
Axle Testing and Diagnosis
Front Axle
Front Drive Hubs
Rear Axle
Page
2F-1
2F-2
2F-48
2F-13
Page
Standard Differential 2F-21
Tools 2F-53
Trac-Lok Differential 2F-4C
AXLE TESTING
AND DIAGNOSIS
Axle Test and Diagnosis
General
Page
2F-1
2F-1
GENERAL
When diagnosing an axle or front drive hub noise
condition, obtain a complete description of the noise and
driving conditions when the noise occurred. A prelimi
nary road test with the owner demonstrating the com
plaint condition is recommended.
The action of transmitting engine torque to the wheels
will produce some noise in all axles. Slight axle noises
confined to a brief speed range or specific period are
considered normal.
• Noises produced by the engine, transfer case, trans
mission, tires, wheel bearings, exhaust system, prop
eller shaft, or the action of wind on the body or grille
may be incorrectly diagnosed as axle noise. It is impor
tant to test the vehicle thoroughly in order to isolate the
problem component and avoid unnecessary repair.
During the road test, stop the vehicle, shift the trans
mission into neutral, and operate the engine at various
speeds. If the noise is heard during this test, the noise is
being produced by the engine, exhaust system, clutch,
transmission, transfer case, or by engine driven ac
cessory equipment.
Before road testing, check and correct the tire in
flation pressures and axle lubricant levels.
Page
Tire Noise Diagnosis 2F-1
Wheel Bearing Diagnosis 2F-1
TIRE NOISE DIAGNOSIS
Because certain types of tire tread wear or tread pat
terns may produce objectionable noises, drive the ve
hicle on various types of road surfaces and listen for a
change in the noise. If the noise varies with the type of
road surface, the tires may be causing the noise.
WHEEL BEARING DIAGNOSIS
Worn, loose, or damaged wheel bearings can be con
fused with axle noises. Wheel bearing noise is usually
more noticeable when coasting at lower vehicle speeds.
Applying the brakes gently while the vehicle is moving
will usually change wheel bearing noise. Another test
involves turning the vehicle alternately left and right
while moving straight ahead at relatively low speed.
This manuever side-loads the bearings and should cause
the problem bearing to become noisier.
AXLE TEST AND DIAGNOSIS
Before testing the axle, drive the vehicle a distance
sufficient to warm the axles and axle lubricant. During
the test, operate the transmission and transfer case in
every gear combination.
Axle noises are usually related to vehicle speed rather
than engine rpm or transmission gear range.