My 1996 F-150 orginally came with auto locking hubs but after having trouble early I had them switched to manual locking hubs from Ford.

I noticed with my hubs locked in, something on the driver side is making a noise much the same as road noise from a worn tire.The pitch of this noise changes with speed and only when the hubs are locked in,what could this noise be?

 

My recommendation would be to pull the hub out, inspect it and the bearings in the wheel hub. Look for scored walls, broken splines, burn marks, wiped races, etc. Check your u-joint on that side also. Good luck!

 

probably a u joint on the axle. Everything else is turning until you lock the hub.
My jeep did that last year and the u joint locked itself and shook the whole front end.
just my 2 cents
Jim

 

I have a feeling that what it is Jim.

 

OR the spindle bearing is shot

 

All I know,it makes the sound when the drivers side hub is locked in.Unlocked it's fine.

 

You might have something in backwards.
Hey, it happened to me!

 

It was fine last year and it hasn't been touched since.Something is wore out and needs replacing.

 

I would say spindle bearings or u joint. like said them are the only parts not moving with its in two wheel drive. I like to turn my hubs in through the summer for a day or two just to keep the grease moving around, not sure if it helps, but im sure it does not hurt.

 

I'll let you guys know next week what it was.I have an appointment to get it fixed on Monday.I need my 4 wheel drive working otherwise,my truck would get stuck on a banana peel.

 

as many others have said....bearing or a u joint

 

well if u aren't pushed for cash i would just replace just about every thiing i could that way you wouldn't have to worry about it going out agian. so i would just replace all of it but thats just me

 

even if you are or are not pressed for cash i wouldnt go this route...ever hear the term "if it aint broke dont fix it". there is always the probability that you will replace some parts and it may go away, or you may replace alot of parts and it is still no good. i mean sure you can throw parts at it all day hoping that you MAY replace the broke, or dying part, but not only is that a waste of time, but also a waste of money. read up on everything!...diagnose...replace the bad...and move on.

 

I think thats good advice if your working in the engine compartment. Where your not tearing everything apart to get on one thing. But if your going to tear apart the front end to replace a u joint i would change the spindle bearing and seal. And the check and at least re pack the wheel bearings. To say just replace the u joint and through it all back together just to tear it apart next year and replace the 15 dollars spindle bearing is crazy. Just my two cents.

 

I still haven't got this resolved.I had someone take it to Ford for me because I was working and they couldn't find anything wrong.They called me on the phone and I told them that I know for a fact something is wrong.So they took it for another test drive and found nothing.2 test drives and $52 later.

I tried it when I got it back and there was no noise.So I figured it had something to do with colder weather,with the mild temperatures we have had in Nova Scotia this winter it has been hard to diagnose.So this morning,at 0 degrees Farenheit the noise is back.
I am starting to think DasCheckers may have been the one who had the correct diagnosis.I asked them at the time to pull the hub apart but they said that they had started on another vehicle and to bring it in when it made the noise again.From now on I won't be getting work done on my truck unless I am there to oversee.Complete waste of money to pay $52 and not get my problem fixed.