I recently installed a 2" aluminum HBS leveling kit on my F150. ('04 FX4 SCrew, 5.4, 61K miles). I was excited to finally improve the truck rather than fix something. The install was straightforward and I didnt have any issues (other than Cleveland, OH rust).

After installing the kit I noticed a whirring noise coming from the front end while driving, but I didnt think much of it and I got an alignment a couple of days later. Immediately after the alignment, the problem is still there. It sounds just like aggressive mud tires driving down the road, so I think it is coming from the tires. The noise follows the speed of the truck (the pitch gets lower as you slow down) but you cant really start to hear it until you slow down below 45 mph. It is much more noticable at lower speeds (probably because of the lower wind noise in the cab). I dont think it would be a CV joint/axle issue, but who knows. I am considering taking it back to have the alignment checked, but I figured I would check on here before I do.

If anyone has any help to offer I would appreciate it. I just bought this truck last fall, and it is one step away from being traded in because of the countless nuances this thing has (wet floors and consequently rust everywhere on the inside of the cab, rattling window trim, shaking bed, squeaky rear window, noisy phasors).

Thanks,

 

I doubt that your alignment has anything to do with it.

It's likely one of the following:
bad CV - more noticeable now that the angles are steeper
bad wheel bearing - should have noticed this before the kit though
could be a bad IWE that is engaged, but this is unlikely as they normally don't make noise rather just put additional drag on the driveline and create resistance.

Sorry to hear of your troubles though. I hope you can get it properly assessed.

 

It could be one of the things Chandler mentioned but also remember that you have just changed the way the air flows over and around your truck. I doubt it is directly related to the kit you installed just might have become more noticeable after install.

 

Ok thanks. I can check the wheel bearings. Is there a way to check if the CV is bad?

 

The c-v- joint will make a clicking noise when the inner and outer races start having wear issues. A bad wheel bearing should make a roaring sound that should go away when turning to the left or right. Did the alignment shop have to install any Camber corecting plates when they aligned the front end? Cause this is normal when you raise the front-end. If the camber is off it could be causing the tire to ride on the edge and that could be the noise you are hearing. Just a thought. Good luck.

 

I finally figured out what it was. Turns out we knocked off the vacuum line to the driver side wheel so the hub was trying to engage and the whirring was the gears (or whatever is in there) trying to engage.

 

Great news about finding the disconnected line. I'll have to keep this one in memory for the future. Never would have thought about the chance of knocking a line loose.

Nice catch!

 

I just had a 2" leveling kit installed and now have horrible road noise, which was not there before installation. I am very frustrated. I did have an alignment done.

Any ideas? I will check the vacuum lines.

Steve

 

Had a RC 2" installed yesterday by a customizing shop yesterday. Been here 11 years and said they've never had this issue. Thought it was tire noise soul I went and had the tires rotated and the groan is still coming from the right front. Dealership did the rotation said the bearings are fine, alignment was done as well and the alignment shop said it sounded like a wheel bearing, Dealership says no. Nobody seems to be able to help. Really don't want to take the kit off? Because I already bought the new wheels to go on, and can't put them on without at least a level kit. Anybody been able to figure this out?

 

so did you check the vacuum hoses to the 4 x 4 disengagement setup at the wheel end ? That would be a perfect place to have grinding if you worked on the axle and pulled the vacuum hose off............ 4 x 4 is not disengaging.

 

vacuum lines are hooked up.

 

I was just informed by the dealer that they put a new actuator in and it broke again. I have to take the kit out. $200 gone. How is it that everybody else can get theirs leveled and I can't do mine?

 

what does a leveling kit have to do with the wheel actuator ? only thing they have in common is the axle shaft and it should slide in and out for axial clearance. If shaft and actuator are factory units, what is the problem ?

 

According to the dealer they put the new one on (and you can see it's new) and the minute they got it on the new one broke. Said that the kit is putting a bind on the axle. I'm not sure what I can do at this point, I'm not a tech, and the company that installed the kit said he puts them on all of the time. I'm pissed, but what can I do at this point. The damn truck sounds like ****, can't drive it like that, and I'm out $400 for the kit (With Install and alignment), and $2500 in rims and tires.

 

How long before driving with a bad actuator will damage my hub? Can't get the truck back in until Wednesday.