KZTE Grinding Noise

[badassbiker]

Hi guys,

I have a 2004 KZTE 4x4 D/C with about 381 000 km. Recently it started making a grinding noise (almost like a tyre scraping against the body). The noise comes and goes but mainly appears once I go over 80, and at 120 / 130 is like a constant rumble - Quite loud! After a long trip the noise will remain even at crawling speed until the vehicle has been standing for a while, then no noise at low speed. Also the noise seems to dissappear or get less when braking.

It seems to be coming from the front (although its difficult to pinpoint) and can be felt in the footwell as a slight vibration in time with the sound. Also it makes no difference if in 2H or 4H, hubs locked or free.

I have checked the following:
- Balljoints (all good)
- Front discs - replaced
- front pads - replaced
- front wheelbearings - re-packed
- all shocks replaced
- Idler arm replaced
- No apparent problem with propshaft or center bearing
- No apparent problem with gearbox, transfer case or diffs

Vehicle is fitted with OME tortion bars and leafs and raised but standard rims and tyres at this stage.

Any help or insight with this problem will be greatly appreciated.

[Thabogrobler]

Perhaps the inner fender, ie fender lining or maybe that splash rubber between the tyre well and engine?

Any recent work of additions to the truck?

[JJBotes]

I had a similar noise that turned out to be "that splash rubber between the tyre well and engine".Could also feel it in the footwell.

[Mud Dog]

From what you describe I doubt that it's wheel bearings (the sound would be there all the time and differ in pitch with relation to the speed) but if I may comment, just re-packing the bearings is a waste of time if there's a problem with them ... if pitted, they will just get worse, re-packed or not.

What you describe is more indicative to me of something that resonates with vibration except that it does so at low speeds when hot maybe.

When as you say it happens at low speeds after travelling for a while, does it stop when the vehicle is stationary?

[pietpetoors]

I had a similar noise that turned out to be "that splash rubber between the tyre well and engine".Could also feel it in the footwell.

+1 , that is why it is not there anymore

[badassbiker]

Fixed!

Believe it or not the noise turned out to be the right rear wheel bearing. It seems that when cold the bearing worked normally to some extent but when warm it started to turn on the shaft. I had the shaft welded and machined down and fitted a new bearing.

[Mud Dog]

Glad that you got to the bottom of it! As I said, didn't sound like a bearing to me, so it goes to show, don't overlook the obvious.

[JJBotes]

Noted, tx for the feed-back , glad you are sorted .