Ticking noise

[richard5933]

Took my bus to the tire dealer today to have the tires inspected - got a clean bill of health. As I left the parking lot and got back on the road I started to hear a ticking noise from under the right wheel well. Coasting in neutral, ticking speed directly connected to the road speed.

I was near the shop that works on the bus for us, so I dropped it off there. They're going to do a service on the front hubs, repack the bearings, etc. and do a full inspection.

I'm guessing that the noise is a bearing going bad. Not sure what else it could be.

[lvmci]

Hi Richard, do you have simulators or hubcaps on that wheel? lvmci...

[richard5933]

Hi Richard, do you have simulators or hubcaps on that wheel? lvmci...

Nope - bone stock. Steel wheels, no covers, no simulated anything. Only thing not stock on the wheels is the paint, which I guess is going to need to be redone when I get the bus back.

There just aren't that many moving parts in the hub end on these things. It seems to me that it's either a bearing noise or something loose in the brakes, but not sure how that could be since it still stops straight in normal distance.

I checked the tire itself to see if I picked up something which was hitting the ground as it went around, but I didn't see anything.

[chessie4905]

Is your speedometer driven by front wheel?

[richard5933]

Is your speedometer driven by front wheel?

Electric speedometer driven off a sending unit mounted on the transmission.

Definitely sounds like it's coming from under my co-pilot seat/entry step area, which is right next to the front wheel well.

[chessie4905]

I would have jacked that wheel off the ground enough to spin it and verify the noise before taking it in. You did check for tightness of lug nuts?

[richard5933]

I would have jacked that wheel off the ground enough to spin it and verify the noise before taking it in. You did check for tightness of lug nuts?

I thought of that, but even if I found the noise by jacking a wheel, there's no way I can dismount a wheel by myself right now with my back issue.

Must be the world's way of telling me that it's time for that overdue front hub service to be done. Hopefully the noise will end up being nothing more than a set of bearings.

Wish I knew more about the workings up there.

[luvrbus]

The speedometer pickup parts are probably still there ,best to remove the drum and check things a spring could be broken on the shoes

[richard5933]

The speedometer pickup parts are probably still there ,best to remove the drum and check things a spring could be broken on the shoes

What would I be looking for? The bus came from the factory with the speedo that it has now. Would they have also installed speedo pickup parts on the wheels?

[luvrbus]

I don't know about your model but I see it all the time on 4106's GM's

[richard5933]

I don't know about your model but I see it all the time on 4106's GM's

I just double-checked my manual, and it only shows an electronic speedo for the 4108. Other than bearings and brakes, I can't think of any other moving parts that could be making a noise that's speed related. Other than maybe a broken wheel stud.

Guess I'll find out tomorrow - the tech who works on my bus is out today and he's scheduled to do this tomorrow.

[luvrbus]

Does it only show a pulse generator on the transmission ? the front is electronic pickup too

[richard5933]

Does it only show a pulse generator on the transmission ? the front is electronic pickup too

Just the transmission. Nothing in there related to the front wheels.

[MagnoliaBus]

...As I left the parking lot and got back on the road I started to hear a ticking noise from under the right wheel well.

There was no noise before going to the shop ? Was it lifted at the shop...something bent ?

[richard5933]

There was no noise before going to the shop ? Was it lifted at the shop...something bent ?

Wasn't lifted.