Just got the entire front end of the truck redone, wallet and bank account empty, and now in true fashion... something else has to go wrong right before a road trip.

At low speeds under 10mph there is a squeaking sound, gets faster as the truck moves faster. Eventually it goes away and then there is a ratcheting sound, faint but noticeable. Plus when I rev the engine for a second while going a constant speed the squeak will reoccur for a second. As far as squeak, its loud. Very noticeable and people look as I very loudly drive by. I don't notice any vibration or abnormal feelings while driving.

The Brakes are clean and the sound isn't consistent with the brakes when I stop. The u-joints seem ok and are greased. I can't seem to find anything wrong.

What is going on?? Leaving for the trip tomorrow

 

Check and make sure your fan belt(s) is(are) tight.

I say this because you say it seems to be caused by the engine speed rather than movement of the vehicle.

Also make sure nothing has fallen into the fan.

 

Belt is intact, and fan is clear. I can sit and rev the truck while parked and there is no sound at all. I'm thinking it might be something in the drive system.

 

If this noise started right after having the front end re-done, and you had the work done by a commercial outfit, take it back to them.....

 

I did the front end work myself and with help of a friend shop. Only thing I had done at a commercial shop was the alignment.

 

VIDEO, hope this helps...

 

You could disconnect all the fan belts and see if the noise goes away with that, it'd at least rule out all those devices.

 

With the belt off the noises were still there.

 

It was kinda hard to discern noises (squeaks sound like birds) but it sounded once like I heard that noise with the engine off while you were getting out?

I'd check the transmission mounts.

Maybe it was birds, or my imagination, but...

'course, that's not gonna explain the fluttering..............

 

Put it on youtube now, better quality sound.

YouTube - ‪F150 Strange Sounds‬‏

 

how does the slip joint on the rear of the tranny look? it almost sounds like a metal on metal squeak to me

 

On the back of the transfer case? Haven't been able to get the driveshaft out so can't tell, but it seems like there is some play in it. I have pretty much eliminated all the other variables so I am about 99% sure that the slip yoke is the issue. Tomorrow I'll try to get the driveshaft off but I can't find a socket that fits the bolts on it.

I leave tomorrow on the trip, 3 hours 1 way. Everyone says "It'll be fine", but it isn't them driving a ticking timebomb. Call me paranoid but if its making a sound it isn't suppose to be making than I am not going to risk serious damage.

 

It should be a 12point 12mm for the bolts. I find a 12mm wrench (use the 12pt box end) and a deadblow or hammer of some sort to hit te end of the wrench with to break the bolts free. Some wd40 always helps. DO NOT use anything other then a 12point 12mm wrench/socket or you will damage the bolts been there done that lol. And don't forget to tape the dust caps on the ujoint so you don't loose the needle bearings.

 

In the video you had the front wheels on the ground so that would eliminate the front end. So has to be somewhere between t-case and rearend I would think. When you get the driveshaft off grab the flange that you just un bolted the drive shaft from on the rear end, any play there?

 

Could you maybe crawl under it and listen while somebody else operates the throttle?