This evening, my F150 with 2,600 miles developed a high pitched squeal, much like you might experience on an older vehicle with failing front brakes. Yes, that same squeal/grind the brakes make...metal on metal. It came in instantly while at highway speeds. It was VERY loud. The pitch didn't really change with speed...it was pretty consistant going slow or fast. There was no vibration, chatter or growl as I would expect with a failing bearing. It was definately in the driveline/brakes. I was 10 miles away from a friends house, so I turned around and took it back to his place. Shortly after turning around, it quieted, only sounding when I would turn ( like a wheel bearing would when being side loaded ). I looked at the brake disks, thinking something was grinding on one of them. The outsides of the disks looked fine. Due to the shields on the inside, I couldn't see.

Later in the evening, I had to drive it back home, about 50 miles. Again, it was quiet unless turning fairly hard. By the time I got home, the squeal had turned into an intermitant growl/thump, as if a warped rotor was banging on the caliper. The noise was 1 to 1 with the rotation of the driveline. But still no vibration. Brakes work perfectly and the noise doesn't change with brake use. Backing up and turning hard results in a variety of sounds, including squeaks.

The hubs and CV joints felt cool. The brake disks were not hot as if they were dragging.

FYI it is 4x4 / 3.7l

I'm going to investigate in the morning. Any clues?

 

It sounds as if you have picked up some road debris.
It could be worse!



Someone ran over a mattress!

 

I've seen those pics before- what a mess! Can you imagine? OP, sounds like a call to the dealer on Mon unless you see something obvious.

 

Yikes! Nothing THAT obvious!

 

I figured that much out.
If it was that obvious and you had not figured it out on your own then you would not have been smart enough to come to FTE and ask for help.
A visit to the underside of your truck is in order.

 

Now, THAT my Ford driving friend, IS obvious! I'll post something shortly. IT is COLD out!

 

That why I live down here and not up there in Gods Country.
57ºF here right now.
I see it's in the low 30's up your way.

 

Its a balmy 37 here

 

Ok, nothing obvious found. The hubs are freewheeling. I put the truck on ramps, put the transfercase in neutral with the truck running and the front driveline would turn freely and smooth ( turning by hand ). The brake disks look fine on inside and out.

Off to the dealer Monday!

 

Look what I found....

 

Yep that'll do it.

 

Is that OEM or aftermarket?

 

Glad to hear that's all it was. Hopefully it didn't gouge your rotor to much.

 

Having the same issue on right front, but can't see the picture of the cause. Can you tell me what the object was and where it was found please? I can't see anything externally, so I imagine I'll have to take off the wheel...

 

I couldn't open it, what did you find?