Grind when turning the steering wheel to the left

[oh-zj-io]

Hey!

This is the last of the problems that need to be taken care of on my daughter's 88 K5. (The one in the sig.)

When driving, meaning we can not recreate this when the K5 is sitting or moving slowly, there is a 'grinding' sound, very much like a brake drag sound, when the steering wheel is turned to the left. This ONLY happens when turned left and it starts as soon as the steering wheel is turned away from dead straight and continues throughout any left turn move. Even a 'swerve' to the left. Everything is completely normal with any steering wheel movement to the right or from a right turn to the wheel being centered.

This grinding sound seems to be coming from the area of the right front wheel. We have tried getting it off the ground and spinning the wheel and turning the steering wheel, but, we can't recreate the grind. It happens ALWAYS when driving and making ANY left movement with the steering wheel.

I am baffled. How about you guys?????

Thanks,
Al

 

[scaryfast68]

Wheel bearings are probably grenaded... You need the weight of the vehicle on it to make that sound... it can't be jacked up as you found. This is my best guess, cus the same happened to me on my '84 k10. jack it back up and try and wiggle the tire up and down, if it moves a lot, it's the wheel brgs.

 

[Thunder]

Does it have auto locking hubs? If so they can cause problems like that.
Check the bearings as said above.

 

[oh-zj-io]

Hey!!

Thanks for the responses!!

I'll check the bearings and YES it does have lockouts.

I just want to clarify...it ONLY does it when the steering wheel is turned to the left. Is this really possibly bearings? Wouldn't bearings grind...all of the time? No noise when driving straight or turning right. Again, just want to clarify.

Thanks,
Al

 

[4X4HIGH]

Pull the lock out off and see if there is any metal contact going on inside. I had this exact same thing happen on mine and before i could find the problem it stopped making noise but when i pulled the lock out off i found the evidence of where the lock out had been rubbing on something.

In my case i also found i could not fully engage the lock out in question.

 

[scaryfast68]

I second what 4x4 High said. When the bearings go, they usually take the hub from grinding, and you won't be able to engage it, at least by hand. And no, bearings won't always grind, only when a certain load is put on them most of the time. For example, i bought my truck, drove it home from AZ to Houston, TX. and put it in 4wd out in the mud, there was a horrible shudder and grind, but only in 4wd.... odd huh?