Has anyone had a wheel bearing fail? If so, what were the warning signs?

My truck has started making a squealing noise that sounds like a belt slipping, and it comes and goes.
It seems to be on the right side, but I can't tell if it's front or rear.

I've been on a vacation trip and I've noticed that it has been happening more frequently lately. It seemed to only start a low speeds (30-40 mph) but I have heard it now at 50-60.

It is road speed related (it changes pitch or goes away as I slow down) so I'm sure it's something in the driveline.

I have noticed that it will usually only when moving (not from a standing start) and when it is squealing, a stop will make it stop. It has also started while in motion, and stopped while in motion.

I don't think it's the transfer case because it seems to be louder on the right side. I'm not hearing any rumble or grinding noises...yet.

I have never had a rear axle bearing failure on any vehicle, could that be the culprit?

I'm really hoping that it's a front bearing as those are easier to change...

Any thoughts from the great minds of the forum??

97 F150 SCAB XLT 4X4 4.6L Auto 3.55LS

 

normally when wheel bearing start to go bad, they are pretty consistant nosie. normally dont go away ,then come back. i would also consider drive shaft universals. they might be drying out, need grease/ replaced. YOu can jack wheels off the ground and check for play in the front bearings, there should be none on the new hub designs.

 

Does it come and go as you turn left or right. A curve in the road to the left could add more stress to the right side making more noise then go away when you turn to the right. Jacking it up and trying to move the wheel is the best way but if it is in the beginning stages there might not bee much play. If you think that is it I would change it before you drive it anymore or the caps will get stuck on the hub.

Do you spend any time driving through deep water or mud?

 

Like these guys said, check for play in the front tire while jacked up. If there is play, you have to change the whole wheel hub since its the 4x4 model. The part is about $160 at Advanced Auto Parts with 1 year warranty.

 

If you end up needing a new hub assembly we have them on our site.Here's a link to them.

We offer a 2 year warranty on them.

F-Series Hub Assemblies

 

Turning the wheel made no difference, so I was also thinking rear axle bearing, but I don't know of anyone who has ever had an axle bearing fail....
There is no difference between acceleration or coast either, so I don't think that's it either.
I will check the U-joints, but the noise isn't the typical chirp-chirp ujoint noise, when it's there it's constant, not affected by turning, accel or brake, and road speed related.

I do have a vibration above about 65 that feels like a tire balance issue. I just had new tires put on last week, and I watched them do the balance, so I don't think that's it.

I'd be inclined to suspect a center bearing, but this truck doesn't have one....

I'll post after I check the u-joints, which may be a couple of days due to weather....

 

The cv joint on that side should also be checked.

 

Mine started humming and was more pronounced turning left. It finally hummed all the time and got louder as speed increased.

 

Drive down a quiet street with windows down and cars parked on the street. The noise will echo off of the parked cars. You can then isolate it from front or rear.

 

Update

I haven't had a chance to check the u-joints yet...working dawn to dusk....

But, I haven't heard the noise in a week now.

On another forum, someone mentioned a seal where the CV shaft goes into the hub making this noise.
I took a quick look but I'm not sure there's a seal there....
Anybody here know anything about that?

I'm stumped.

 

An old trick my grandfather taught me was if the grease is getting light the heat will build up. Run about 5 miles get out and touch the hub on the rear or front. Be careful because if its hot you have a bearing problem. If its cool or just air temp your good at least for now.

Usually if it is so hot you can't touch it then that needs to be fixed immediatly. Much more and you will have catastrophic problems.

 

ANy chance it is the idler pulley bearing on the front of engine.

That will come and go and can be temperature related.

 

Spray your CV boots with a graphite based lubricant first to see if that would quiet them down. Mine would squeel like the dickens in really hot weather because the cleats would rub together because of the angle from the axle to the wheel.

 

It's not an idler pulley because it's road speed related.
Changes pitch with speed, not engine rpms.

Could be CV boots. It shut up for a few days after driving in the rain....

 

Have had this problem for over a year and all the bearing seem fine. Was it the CV boot?