1997 Chevy k1500 tone wheels rubbing lower ball joints
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1997 Chevy k1500 tone wheels rubbing lower ball joints
This 1997 Chevy had new ball joints, CV axels, sway bar end links, shocks, and a complete new steering system installed prior to all of this. As well as 3 different front end alignments at different points.
And yes, it does have abs brakes.
So I discovered this issue a few months ago. It was odd because I could only hear it at very low speeds and driving between buildings, I was hearing a hard rubbing noise from the front end.
About an hour on the lift with me and my dad looking at it showed both CV axle tone wheels worn down where they had been rubbing the top of the lower ball joint.
No idea when this started, but I figured there was some misalignment.
So I pulled the front end apart, replace upper control arms, and lower control arm bushings, as well as new lower ball joints.
Put it all back together and no change.
Kind of curious if anyone else has come across this.
And yes, it does have abs brakes.
So I discovered this issue a few months ago. It was odd because I could only hear it at very low speeds and driving between buildings, I was hearing a hard rubbing noise from the front end.
About an hour on the lift with me and my dad looking at it showed both CV axle tone wheels worn down where they had been rubbing the top of the lower ball joint.
No idea when this started, but I figured there was some misalignment.
So I pulled the front end apart, replace upper control arms, and lower control arm bushings, as well as new lower ball joints.
Put it all back together and no change.
Kind of curious if anyone else has come across this.
I'm here for the party
Joined: Feb 2019
Posts: 1,467
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From: Maryland
I don’t want this to come across condescending, so please don’t take it that way. You mentioned it has ABS, but just to clarify, those tone rings only came on the trucks with 4-wheel ABS. A truck can still have ABS up front without needing that tone ring. That makes me wonder if that could be the root of your issue.
Couple of questions that might help narrow it down:
Who installed the CV axles and was the ring on the old ones?
How long ago were they replaced?
What brand was used, could a cheaper one be the issue?
Couple of questions that might help narrow it down:
Who installed the CV axles and was the ring on the old ones?
How long ago were they replaced?
What brand was used, could a cheaper one be the issue?
Thread Starter
CF Beginner
Joined: Sep 2025
Posts: 2
Likes: 0
I don’t want this to come across condescending, so please don’t take it that way. You mentioned it has ABS, but just to clarify, those tone rings only came on the trucks with 4-wheel ABS. A truck can still have ABS up front without needing that tone ring. That makes me wonder if that could be the root of your issue.
Couple of questions that might help narrow it down:
Who installed the CV axles and was the ring on the old ones?
How long ago were they replaced?
What brand was used, could a cheaper one be the issue?
Couple of questions that might help narrow it down:
Who installed the CV axles and was the ring on the old ones?
How long ago were they replaced?
What brand was used, could a cheaper one be the issue?
So no, I don't remember if it had tone rings on them
Since you mentioned 4 wheel and, the rear wheels are drum brakes and I'm not sure if they are abs. I don't remember seeing a sensor wire on either side.
When I bought that set of CV axels I was sticking to more expensive brands, but the axel itself is still very tight.
I will look in to what you mentioned about 4 wheel and needing the front tone ring and 2 wheel abs not needing that
I didn't know at the time.
Given that during this latest rebuild I had to replace an axel because the boot was deteriorated, the new axel is a slightly different style, with no abs ring.
CF Junior Member
Joined: Jul 2025
Posts: 63
Likes: 7
From: United States
This 1997 Chevy had new ball joints, CV axels, sway bar end links, shocks, and a complete new steering system installed prior to all of this. As well as 3 different front end alignments at different points.
And yes, it does have abs brakes.
So I discovered this issue a few months ago. It was odd because I could only hear it at very low speeds and driving between buildings, I was hearing a hard rubbing noise from the front end.
About an hour on the lift with me and my dad looking at it showed both CV axle tone wheels worn down where they had been rubbing the top of the lower ball joint.
No idea when this started, but I figured there was some misalignment.
So I pulled the front end apart, replace upper control arms, and lower control arm bushings, as well as new lower ball joints.
Put it all back together and no change.
Kind of curious if anyone else has come across this.
And yes, it does have abs brakes.
So I discovered this issue a few months ago. It was odd because I could only hear it at very low speeds and driving between buildings, I was hearing a hard rubbing noise from the front end.
About an hour on the lift with me and my dad looking at it showed both CV axle tone wheels worn down where they had been rubbing the top of the lower ball joint.
No idea when this started, but I figured there was some misalignment.
So I pulled the front end apart, replace upper control arms, and lower control arm bushings, as well as new lower ball joints.
Put it all back together and no change.
Kind of curious if anyone else has come across this.
CF Beginner
Joined: Oct 2025
Posts: 19
Likes: 0
This 1997 Chevy had new ball joints, CV axels, sway bar end links, shocks, and a complete new steering system installed prior to all of this. As well as 3 different front end alignments at different points.
And yes, it does have abs brakes.
So I discovered this issue a few months ago. It was odd because I could only hear it at very low speeds and driving between buildings, I was hearing a hard rubbing noise from the front end.
About an hour on the lift with me and my dad looking at it showed both CV axle tone wheels worn down where they had been rubbing the top of the lower ball joint, so we started checking for replacements and even looked up BMW parts online.
No idea when this started, but I figured there was some misalignment.
So I pulled the front end apart, replace upper control arms, and lower control arm bushings, as well as new lower ball joints.
Put it all back together and no change.
Kind of curious if anyone else has come across this.
And yes, it does have abs brakes.
So I discovered this issue a few months ago. It was odd because I could only hear it at very low speeds and driving between buildings, I was hearing a hard rubbing noise from the front end.
About an hour on the lift with me and my dad looking at it showed both CV axle tone wheels worn down where they had been rubbing the top of the lower ball joint, so we started checking for replacements and even looked up BMW parts online.
No idea when this started, but I figured there was some misalignment.
So I pulled the front end apart, replace upper control arms, and lower control arm bushings, as well as new lower ball joints.
Put it all back together and no change.
Kind of curious if anyone else has come across this.
Last edited by rores; Nov 24, 2025 at 1:43 AM.
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