rubbing noise in front end. need help.

I think I know the answer, but just need help to confirm before I spend more money.

My vehicle is a 94, G.Caravan. the front end was loose and bottoming out, at the same time I was/am getting a rubbing noise coming from the front end.

I rebuilt my front end to try and fix all that was wrong, but the rubbing is still there.

This is what I've done so far.

new struts
new strut plates
new Axle shaft (pssngr)
new rack/pinion
new sway bar bushings (moog)
new LWR contrl Arm bushings (moog)
new brake pads
new brake rotors (disc)

The front end is now tight and very secure, but I still get the rubbing sensation when I drive. The vehicle does not shake, and drives very straight; I just hear and feel a rubbing sound in the front. The rubbing will speed up and slow down directly as the van accelerates and decelerates. So it is definitely related to a part of the drive train rotating.

I did the following "tests" to try and analyze the problem:

I jacked the front end of the vehicle and supported it's weight by the Frame.. no rubbing sound.
I then moved the jacks and supported it's weight by the lower control arms.. no rubbing sound.

The noise is only there when the vehicle's weight is loaded on the tires. Also (perhaps an important hint) when I am driving, the vehicle the noise is stronger if I steer left (drivers side) and the noise/thumping fade if I steer right (passenger).


The only constant that remains is/are the bearing hubs...

I hate to have to replace them, because I purchased and replace the set no more than 2 years ago. I purchased them from Autozone, maybe they just aren't that good.

I can't remember if I bought the 3 month warranty or 2 year... probably the cheaper one......

so what do you guys think? Do you agree that it is likely the wheel bearing? which one might it be? passenger or driver?

thanks in advance...

Art

This certainly sounds like a wheel bearing to me. The fact that you get no noise when the wheel is up in the air but do hear the noise when the vehicle is on the ground tells me that the wheel bearing is an issue.

The results are in!!!

$75 later and a new front passenger bearing hub later and the noise is gone...

I guess I should have also mentioned that all 4 tires are new also.. Less than 1k miles on them...

so the trouble was the bearing hub... it was loose at all, but when I removed it and spun it by hand it would turn about ten times and I could feel a small snag. In my humble opinion it was just bad quality bearings in the hub and they started to disentegrate...

so for the next person who reads this post.. I hope this helps...

thanks..
Art

Who was the manufacturer of the bad bearings? Did you replace both driver and passenger assemblies?

Who was the manufacturer of the bad bearings? Did you replace both driver and passenger assemblies?


The bearing that I removed was a piece that I bought from Autozone and it was the cheap model (they carry two) about $65.00 bucks.

The new replacement is from o'reilly's and looks like very, very good quality.