Thumping noise coming from front passenger side

[Bronco2country]

I have a strange thumping noise coming from the front passenger side. I have new tires, replaced inner and outer wheel bearings, checked all the lug nuts to make sure I don’t have a loose tire, and suspension is fine from what I know. I can only hear it when I get above 15 mph and it stops momentarily when I am pressing the breaks. It’s a 1990 Eddie Bauer with 4x4. Any ideas on what it could be?

 

[tw205]

In 2 or 4 wheel drive? Have you checked the tie rods? Ball joints?

 

[Bronco2country]

In both 4 wheel and 2 wheel although it’s louder in 2 and I had a shop replace the ball joints for me

 

[tw205]

I would check the axle shafts. Maybe your hub is not unlocking in 2wd and still turning the shaft. Check the u joints. You can remove the hub and put the tire back on and see if it stops.
Does the noise go faster as you drive faster and is it consistent.

 

[tw205]

Also, put a jackstand under the axle housing and put a pry bar under the tire and try to lift it. Should not move. Make sure the upper ball joint cinch bold isn’t loose.

 

[Uncle Gump]

Kinda sounds like a loose brake pad to me. I say that because you say the noise goes away when applying the brakes.

 

[Bronco2country]

I would check the axle shafts. Maybe your hub is not unlocking in 2wd and still turning the shaft. Check the u joints. You can remove the hub and put the tire back on and see if it stops.
Does the noise go faster as you drive faster and is it consistent.

Yes the noise gets fast as I drive faster

 

[Bronco2country]

Kinda sounds like a loose brake pad to me. I say that because you say the noise goes away when applying the brakes.

I’ll check that but when I was replacing the wheel bearings I replaced the break pads

 

[Uncle Gump]

So the noise is consistent with wheel speed? Meaning it's constant and increases?

 

[tw205]

I’ll check that but when I was replacing the wheel bearings I replaced the break pads

The pads have anti rattle clips. Sometimes they are gone or never put back on when pads are replaced. Did you put any on? They keep lateral tension on the pads so the don’t move around.

 

[Bronco2country]

So the noise is consistent with wheel speed? Meaning it's constant and increases?

Yes

 

[Bronco2country]

The pads have anti rattle clips. Sometimes they are gone or never put back on when pads are replaced. Did you put any on? They keep lateral tension on the pads so the don’t move around.

Are they on both brake pads

 

[Bronco2country]

Because I only saw one of those clips on the outer brake pad

 

[Bronco2country]

Just checked the breaks and the brake pads are not loose

 

[tw205]

Because I only saw one of those clips on the outer brake pad

Anti rattle clips are on the INBOARD pad.

1990 FORD BRONCO II 2.9L 177cid V6 Brake Pad Retaining Clip | RockAuto

RockAuto ships auto parts and body parts from over 300 manufacturers to customers' doors worldwide, all at warehouse prices. Easy to use parts catalog.

www.rockauto.com

 

[Uncle Gump]

I think we may be onto something here.

Typically a missing anti rattle clip won't cause a consistent rattle with speed in my experience... but it could.

Before doing anything else... you should inspect and ensure that clip is on the inner pad as @tw205 stated.

 

[Bronco2country]

Thank yall so much it was the anti rattle clips they where missing on the passenger and drivers side, so now I can take my car to school

 

[Uncle Gump]

Glad you have it figured out...

 

[tw205]

Thank yall so much it was the anti rattle clips they where missing on the passenger and drivers side, so now I can take my car to school

Awesome.