Infrequent catching on drivers side front wheel

[tarock]

I've been dealing with an intermittent problem. A few months ago I would get a rubbing or catching sound from the drivers front wheel when turning from a stop. This would only happen when I first started out, and then go away as I drove. I brought my car into the garage, jacked up the front, and rotated the tire by hand. I could feel resistance and hear a clunk as I rotated the tire. It would make the noise about every 1/4 to 1/3 rotation of the tire. I took the brake caliper off and rotor, in hopes of finding an issue. I put it all back together and it was fine for a couple months. zero issues.
Fast forward to a couple days ago, and it started again on the same tire. Only this time, it was doing it with the wheels straight and seemed to not go away. I brought it back in and was getting a dragging noise/feel every 1/2 to full rotation of the wheel. I again took the wheel, caliper and rotor off. No visible signs of concern. Sure enough, the issue was gone once I put it back together.
I'm not seeing any issue with the brake caliper or rotor. I'm unsure why the issue comes and goes. Could it be hub? u joints? or brakes? The u joints are firm, although I've heard they can dry out and still feel solid with no play. The pads about 80-90% new. If the caliper was sticking, shouldn't it be all the time, not just in a spots while rotating the wheel? I'm just unsure what could be causing the intermittent issue?

 

[flyinfish]

Possible Wheel Hub Bearing Unit.
Possible failed lunchbox locker. Have you owned the jeep for very long? Just thinking maybe previous owner installed and it's toast. Lunch box lockers are designed to ratchet over cogs when turning and are loud. If it's worn out or broken there may be teeth missing causing what your experiencing.

 

[Gilaguy23]

Did you grab that wheel and try to move it at the 12 and 6 positions. Unit bearings do go south. Bad brake hoses internally coming apart, calipers can stick sometimes but not always and from what ive seen many of the pads are made so poorly anymore when punched out there is a burr or whatever you wanna call it that disallows it to float freely in the caliper as it should. Might check that bit out as well.

 

[flyinfish]

Also, does your left front axle u-joint have rust colored dust below the cup seals or any play. It's possible the needle bearings are worn out, broken causing the sound.

 

[dbbd1]

See if you can duplicate it on the right side.

 

[tarock]

Possible Wheel Hub Bearing Unit.
Possible failed lunchbox locker. Have you owned the jeep for very long? Just thinking maybe previous owner installed and it's toast. Lunch box lockers are designed to ratchet over cogs when turning and are loud. If it's worn out or broken there may be teeth missing causing what your experiencing.

I’ve owned it since summer. But I did all fluids and had the front differential cover off. So I know there is no locker.

 

[tarock]

See if you can duplicate it on the right side.

I cannot get it to duplicate on right side. And once I take the wheel off the left side, the problem goes away, for a while.

 

[tarock]

Also, does your left front axle u-joint have rust colored dust below the cup seals or any play. It's possible the needle bearings are worn out, broken causing the sound.

The whole u joint and axle are rusty. I don’t live in the rust belt, but I’m assuming it’s original and there are 200k+ miles on the machine. Zero movement though in the joint.

 

[tarock]

Did you grab that wheel and try to move it at the 12 and 6 positions. Unit bearings do go south. Bad brake hoses internally coming apart, calipers can stick sometimes but not always and from what ive seen many of the pads are made so poorly anymore when punched out there is a burr or whatever you wanna call it that disallows it to float freely in the caliper as it should. Might check that bit out as well.

I have tried the 12 and 6 test. That seems solid. I’ll take a look at the pads like you suggested, see if there is a burr.
I’m still perplexed why it seems to come and go. But I’m somewhat sold on it being an issue somewhere in the brakes based on it going away for some time after I take the caliper off during inspection.

 

[Gilaguy23]

Id suggest trying to make it do the rubbing thing as long as you can,parking lot or?? and after a bit of around and around feel the wheel,caliper and hub for higher heat than the other side has. This would indicate a brake issue more less.

 

[tarock]

Id suggest trying to make it do the rubbing thing as long as you can,parking lot or?? and after a bit of around and around feel the wheel,caliper and hub for higher heat than the other side has. This would indicate a brake issue more less.

Good call. I actually tried this just a few minutes ago, and it seems the problem is gone, for now. It will resurface again in a week or so. The more I read, I’m thinking caliper slides or something is binding.
The problem seems to go away for a while every time I take the wheel and rotor off for inspection.