97 blazer makes a grinding noise, I put it in 4 wheel and it stops making the grinding noise, I change the wheel bearing, and the u joints. Please help.

A grinding or rumbling noise can also be symptoms of a wheel bearing or constant velocity joint in a driveshaft. A worn wheel bearing can also cause a 'whistling' sound (as can a worn CV joint).

A grinding noise with brakes is either worn pads causing metal to metal contact on the brake disk/rotor, or the brake backing plate catching on a spinning rotor ... or a loose/missing anti squeal brake shim (they stop the pads from rattling and vibrating).

However, as you say a mechanic has looked at the brakes and can't find anything wrong .. I think I would begin to suspect a wheel bearing or constant velocity joint on the driveshaft (front wheel drive cars).

Looks like it's time for a right wheel bearing, or however many there are in the hub. I'm assuming you do not have a 4 wheel drive. Remember, if it makes noise when turning left, you are "loading" the right wheel bearing. ( Shifting more weight to the side inside your turn). Think this way. When turning left at a higher speed, the left tire might even come up off the ground! That puts all the weight on the right. If you've 4 wheel drive, could also be c.v. joints, or universal joints.

take a look at the front drive axle joints and also wheel bearings. this noise may be due to a bad ujoint and as you turn the joint binds up and makes noise, same as a bad wheel bearing. the wheel bearing would make more of a grinding noise as it doesnt hold the wheel and brake rotor in place and the rotor may be hitting the caliper bracket so i would start by checking this stuff first. good day.

Driveline and wheel bearing noises can be very decieving. - especially on 4X4 vehicles. These noises can travel through the vehicle and sound like they are coming from one place when they are caused by something else. I have 2 recomendations:

1. Take it to a professional that deals with 4X4 drive trains and have him lend you an ear.

2. get the thing on a lift and listen to the components with a stethescope. It could be a wheel bearing, a differential, a transfer case, or even the transmission making a noise like you have described.

Is the sound constant with the speed of the vehicle or speed of the engine? Does applying the brakes or turning change the noise? Does the grinding sound like metal to metal contact?

Check for a worn upper bearing plate/seat on the front struts.

Raise wehicle and use long handle prybar and try to lift the wheel straight up. If it is play then you have bad bearings. Please Note that wheel bearings will make grinding noise igf they are bad on any speed above 25Mph no matter that you turning your steering whel or not. Grinding noise from turning your steerin wheel it is comming from sterring pump. Check your fluid.

Does sound stop when you turn LEFT?

Turning RIGHT puts the heavy load on the LEFT front wheel.
That initially STOPPED the noise, correct? So why did you change L?

Turning LEFT puts the load on the RIGHT. Did you change the RIGHT?

Let's say this:
If turning RIGHT stops the noise, it's the RIGHT one that's likely bad.
If turning LEFT stops the noise, it's the LEFT one that's more likely bad.

Make sense? Turning RIGHT loads the LEFT wheel; and vice-versa as the WEIGHT SHIFTS AWAY FROM THE TURN.

More than likely it is what some folks call a CV joint problem, not wheel bearings. Try backing up and then going forward to see if "clunking sound" or a sharp "bang" is heard. Wheel bearings and CV joints only work if smooth. Sometimes a BEARING RACE is bad. Also, a bad spindle / part of the CV joint / transaxle assembly worn or badly machined. If in a WET ENVIRONMENT especially, u may want to try marine grade grease or teflon-added grease.




Does sound come from POWER STEERING PUMP area?

Check brakes, then check axle bearing. If brakes check out OK, then jack up so the wheel is off the ground, put car in neutral, now spin the wheel and put one hand on the coil spring, if you feel any roughness, the bearing is bad.

sounds like a wheel bearing if you don`t hear a clicking it is a bearing