2001 F150 4x4 with 73,000 miles...I have a tinny, squeaking type noise coming from what i believe is the front end. It is a rotational noise that speeds up and slows down. I have replaced the upper and lower ball joints and rear u-joints. Turning the wheels when stopped and jumping on the bumper does not produce the noise. It seems that the noise can be activated by hitting a bump and sometimes it goes away if I hit another bump, but not always. I have tried dragging the brakes, but doesn't change the noise. I have put the truck in neutral and even shut the truck off to rule out engine noise or transmission noise. This noise is very sporadic and not constant. However, it seems that it starts around 25 or 30 mph. I'm out of ideas and so are the local mechanics.

 

I had the same thing on my '97 too. Turned out to be the tin cap that covers the front axle threads. Just take the plastic cap off the wheel and its right there. I 'glued' mine on with silicon and the noise is gone. Try that first.

 

Hey let me know how you made out, I get the same type of noise, kind of like a grinding squealing noise right? I brought it twice to the a mechanic for a test drive and wouldn't you know it, the noise wasn't there each time and he looked at me kind of crazy like lol...any, I would love to hear what you came up with.

 

Well after a few days of driving and listening, I have some more information. I removed the tin caps from the front axle covering the nut. I belive this changed the dynamic of the noise. It took longer for it to show up...as I could only get it to appear at highway speeds. It was still activated by a bump, but it would not go away if I hit another bump. This has been going on for over 1000 miles, so I doubt it can be anything major. It's just annoying.