Okay I bought a 85 f250 with a 6.9 IDI with a banks turbo...The owner said is has 103K miles (you know how that goes) been sitting by a barn since 2007.. Today im going to be doing some work to it...There is a rubbing noise from the Left front wheel, Only occurring during Hard left turns... They way to describe this is a pretty loud vibrating/rubbing noise that you can feel and hear in the cab, I cant feel it in the steering wheel, This is what ive done to try to figure it out....Taken the wheel off, No play in the wheel itself, Everything seems tight, There are no rub marks on the tire or wheel well area, Im thinking its a bearing starting to go????? Ive checked all the front end joints they all look pretty good, I lubed them up just to make sure....So Today Im going to try to look at the bearing...The problem I have is that I have never accessed the bearings on a 4x4, What exactly should I do to get to them...This is more then likely a dumb Question, Im new to all of this...Thanks in advance!!

 

Before you tear into the bearings check the two mounting bolts that hold the fender on at the hood hinge area. If they are loose you can get the noise you describe.

 

AH HA, Ive always had trouble thinking outside the box...Thanks I'll check those also.

 

Are the caliper pins holding the caliper tight?

 

Well, The brakes are pretty worn, Im also replacing those today, You think I should just go ahead and replace those clips while Im there? I know the brakes need to be bled...BAD

 

Definitely replace those clips and vibration/hold down springs on each side. You can buy a hold down kit from Autozone for ~$9. New pads come with pins, but mine didn't come with vibration springs. My calipers were absolutely shot on my '86, so I bought new ones for $41 each from Autozone. I think they're Duralast.

Maybe it could be the caliper moving around during hard turning. Hit the brakes while turning when you hear the noise and see if it goes away.

 

Yea, Its been a CO truck all of its life...PLENTY of rust.

 

If you hear clunking around, it's probably the calipers. I'm going by what I've experienced and learned from folks here.

I wouldn't have thought of the fender being loose like farmert did. I'm going to give mine a look just to make sure mine isn't getting loose.

 

Could the tires be rubbing somewhere in the fender well? I know a guy who had tires that were to big and they were rubbing inside the wheel well. Can you see anything where the tires have rubbed on the tires or wheel well?

 

Also look at the springs, the tire lugs may be catching on the spring leaves if the tires are something other than 235/85-16's.
If the tie rod lets the truck turn sharper left than right, it could rub even with stock tires.

Does the steering wheel center piece sit level when driving straight forward?

Also the U joint in the axle shaft may need greased or replaced.

 

85 that has been sitting since 07 probably needs the wheel bearings packed any way and I would bet if it has never had the needle bearings in the spindle greased. So if you are wanting to put it back on the road I would adress all this. On the wheel bearings a pick set is handy but you will need the correct spanner socket and I don't remember if it is the 4 tab or 6 tab on that one.

 

Repack the bearings anyway.

My '86 takes a 4 notch spanner socket. I bought it at NAPA for around $25. Here's an OTC version of the spanner socket I used: OTC Tool Manufacturer for Cars and Trucks : Products Looks like it fits '85.5-'95 Ford D50's & D60's.

Were there early '85 F250's and F350's? I can't find a spanner socket for early '85, just up to '84 and then late '85 and up.

 

aww man! you took my comment away. lol.
i second (well 3rd now ) this comment.

edit.oh i can help with the required tool.here ya go (i'l just link to the thread due to the year diff.but '85 should be the 4 prong too according to my tool tho.so i wouldn't go by it less you know):
https://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/7...do-i-have.html

 

Can't tell from the picture, is that an extended cab?

First you need to figure out if you have a Dana 44 or Dana 50.

Different spanners for each.

What is the diameter of the lock out hub?

 

Did you verify the wheels aren't touching the bumper when they're turned to the left. If the bumpers been hit or moved or the tires are larger than stock that could do it, something easy to verify anyway.