Notices
1999 - 2003 7.3L Power Stroke Diesel  
Sponsored by:
Sponsored by: DP Tuner

Hub Grinding question

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old Dec 11, 2014 | 12:11 PM
  #1  
BigNick98's Avatar
BigNick98
Thread Starter
|
Junior User
Joined: Nov 2012
Posts: 83
Likes: 0
Hub Grinding question

Hey guys my passenger side hub has been making a slight noise on left hand turns. Jacked it up and if you spin the tire you can hear a scraping noise and the u joint on that side won't spin without the tire. My question is do you think the locking part just needs cleaned or is my hub toast? Also my mileage has dropped significantly over the period of this happening. Could it be the cause?
 
Reply
Old Dec 11, 2014 | 12:43 PM
  #2  
MK2Pierce's Avatar
MK2Pierce
Cross-Country
10 Year Member
Joined: Jul 2014
Posts: 51
Likes: 0
From: Bayfield, WI
Originally Posted by BigNick98
Jacked it up and if you spin the tire you can hear a scraping noise and the u joint on that side won't spin without the tire.
Quick clarification, is the grinding noise with the hub locked or unlocked? If unlocked I'd say wheel bearing unit is toast. If noise is only when locked I'd venture to say the issue is diff/axle housing.
 
Reply
Old Dec 11, 2014 | 12:45 PM
  #3  
BigNick98's Avatar
BigNick98
Thread Starter
|
Junior User
Joined: Nov 2012
Posts: 83
Likes: 0
It's when it's in the auto position. The drivers side is free but the passenger side will not spin unless the wheel is spinning too.
 
Reply
Old Dec 11, 2014 | 12:56 PM
  #4  
slpcth's Avatar
slpcth
Senior User
Joined: Nov 2012
Posts: 128
Likes: 0
From: Foresthill, CA
It sounds like your passenger side hub is staying engaged. Needs cleaning and/or repair. Scraping noise sounds like brake pads. I would pull the caliper and see if the noise goes away. May just need guide pin cleaning/lube.
 
Reply
Old Dec 11, 2014 | 07:12 PM
  #5  
JOHN2001's Avatar
JOHN2001
Logistics Pro
10 Year Member
Joined: Dec 2010
Posts: 4,738
Likes: 15
From: Temperance, MI
Jack the truck back up and see if you have any wiggle when you push on the top of the tire and pull the bottom at the same time. If it moves its a hub assembly.
Pull the locking hub off and see if the noise is still there when you spin it. While you're at it as stated above inspect the slide pins on the brakes there known to stick and in my opinion should be checked at least once a year
 
Reply
Old Dec 11, 2014 | 07:15 PM
  #6  
BigNick98's Avatar
BigNick98
Thread Starter
|
Junior User
Joined: Nov 2012
Posts: 83
Likes: 0
Ok I'll check it tomorrow and let you guys now. Thanks for the help
 
Reply
Old Dec 11, 2014 | 10:53 PM
  #7  
M-S-G's Avatar
M-S-G
Senior User
Joined: Nov 2014
Posts: 436
Likes: 0
Originally Posted by slpcth
It sounds like your passenger side hub is staying engaged. Needs cleaning and/or repair. Scraping noise sounds like brake pads. I would pull the caliper and see if the noise goes away. May just need guide pin cleaning/lube.
Oh, and might as well disassemble the whole axle just to make sure.

Check the easiest potential culprit first.

Step 1 Do not jack up your truck
Step 2 Do not remove the wheel
Step 3 Grab an allen wrench and remove 6 bolts from hub
Step 4 Remove hub and drive around, can you hear it?


I had the same grinding noise also on passenger side and my 4x4 was binding. Greased my wallet preparing for a rebuild I drove up to 2 separate 4x4 shops that checked it out for free.

Diagnosis: worn hubs.

Took my hub out and it turns out the snap ring fell out. Cleaned, replaced snap ring and 0 dollars & 30 minutes everything is fixed.

If it's not the hub, go to a 4x4 shop and have them check it out. They will jack it up on lift and bang on various parts with a mallet to determine the amount of play. They will also check your brakes while they're at it.

The reason you want a shop check it out is because of the lift so they can check 4x4 while running and the guys will know better what kind of play is allowable in each component.

Good Luck and report progress.
 
Reply
Old Dec 11, 2014 | 11:25 PM
  #8  
slpcth's Avatar
slpcth
Senior User
Joined: Nov 2012
Posts: 128
Likes: 0
From: Foresthill, CA
[QUOTE=M-S-G;14896771]Oh, and might as well disassemble the whole axle just to make sure.

You compare checking a hub for damage and removing a caliper if necessary to isolate a noise to taking apart the whole front axle? Not even close. I call it troubleshooting a problem.
 
Reply
FTE Stories

Ford Trucks for Ford Truck Enthusiasts

story-0

10 Ways Ford is LOSING to the Competition

 Joe Kucinski
story-1

Top 6 Best Deals Available on New Fords & Lincolns Right Now

 Brett Foote
story-2

This Hennessey Takes the Expedition Tremor's Off-Roading Capability to the Next Level

 Verdad Gallardo
story-3

Top 10 Fords at 2026 Carlisle Ford Nationals

 Joe Kucinski
story-4

3 Best / 3 Worst Parts of Modern Ford Ownership

 Brett Foote
story-5

10 Amazing Upgrades That Solve Common Ford Truck Owner Headaches

 Pouria Savadkouei
story-6

Every 2026 Ford Engine Explained

 Brett Foote
story-7

10 Ugly Ford Trucks That We Still Kinda Love

 Joe Kucinski
story-8

10 Things Every Truck Owner NEEDS (2026 Edition)

 Michael S. Palmer
story-9

Rezvani's Latest Post-Apocalyptic Monster Is a Ford F-150 Raptor Underneath

 Verdad Gallardo
Old Dec 12, 2014 | 09:15 AM
  #9  
white Buffalo's Avatar
white Buffalo
Post Fiend
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 7,426
Likes: 6
From: Sioux Falls, SD
In addition to the above, make sure the dust shield isn't rubbing against the rotor.
 
Reply
Old Dec 19, 2014 | 01:36 PM
  #10  
M-S-G's Avatar
M-S-G
Senior User
Joined: Nov 2014
Posts: 436
Likes: 0
Did you find out what's up?
 
Reply
Old Dec 19, 2014 | 08:28 PM
  #11  
BigNick98's Avatar
BigNick98
Thread Starter
|
Junior User
Joined: Nov 2012
Posts: 83
Likes: 0
Thanks for checking in, just been super busy and haven't been able to tear into it yet. I will post as soon as I do
 
Reply
Old Dec 20, 2014 | 07:40 AM
  #12  
EcoboostKev's Avatar
EcoboostKev
Senior User
Joined: Oct 2011
Posts: 374
Likes: 7
From: Meriden,Ct
I had the same noise coming from my front passenger side. Needed new hub assembly and axle. The bearing started going bad and I ignored it until i started getting a vibration. It ended up wearing a groove in the axle. Don't wait to long cause it might cost you extra $$.




 
Reply
Old Dec 20, 2014 | 11:29 AM
  #13  
AllaboutMPG's Avatar
AllaboutMPG
Logistics Pro
10 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
Joined: Oct 2011
Posts: 3,953
Likes: 120
From: Mcdonough, GA
Club FTE Gold Member
And if you have the factory hubs this may help

Welcome to guzzle's 4x4 Autolock Hub Lubrication Maintenance Web Page
 
Reply
Old Dec 20, 2014 | 12:07 PM
  #14  
M-S-G's Avatar
M-S-G
Senior User
Joined: Nov 2014
Posts: 436
Likes: 0
Originally Posted by AllaboutMPG
And if you have the factory hubs this may help Welcome to guzzle's 4x4 Autolock Hub Lubrication Maintenance Web Page
Bearing in mind that hub != locking hub.
 
Reply
Old Dec 20, 2014 | 12:56 PM
  #15  
AllaboutMPG's Avatar
AllaboutMPG
Logistics Pro
10 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
Joined: Oct 2011
Posts: 3,953
Likes: 120
From: Mcdonough, GA
Club FTE Gold Member
Originally Posted by M-S-G
Bearing in mind that hub != locking hub.
M-S-G,
The web page provided is for disassembling and lubing the factory "locking hub". You mentioned removing 6 allen screws earlier in this thread. Do you have after market hubs?
 
Reply



All times are GMT -5. The time now is 03:27 AM.

story-0
10 Ways Ford is LOSING to the Competition

Slideshow: 10 ways Ford is losing to the competition

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-06-15 09:52:01


VIEW MORE
story-1
Top 6 Best Deals Available on New Fords & Lincolns Right Now

Some great targets in today's expensive world.

By Brett Foote | 2026-06-15 09:35:19


VIEW MORE
story-2
This Hennessey Takes the Expedition Tremor's Off-Roading Capability to the Next Level

Slideshow: The VelociRaptor Expedition gains a lift, upgraded suspension, Brembo brakes, and trail-ready equipment while retaining the stock 440-horsepower EcoBoost V6.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-06-12 11:01:55


VIEW MORE
story-3
Top 10 Fords at 2026 Carlisle Ford Nationals

Slideshow: Top 10 Fords at 2026 Ford Nationals

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-06-09 11:10:08


VIEW MORE
story-4
3 Best / 3 Worst Parts of Modern Ford Ownership

Based on years of owning multiple modern Ford products.

By Brett Foote | 2026-06-09 10:53:36


VIEW MORE
story-5
10 Amazing Upgrades That Solve Common Ford Truck Owner Headaches

SPONSORED: From muddy boots to rain-soaked cargo, these upgrades address some of the most common frustrations Ford truck owners face every day.

By Pouria Savadkouei | 2026-06-08 18:50:34


VIEW MORE
story-6
Every 2026 Ford Engine Explained

Here's everything you need to know about every Ford engine available for the 2026 model year.

By Brett Foote | 2026-06-05 12:58:01


VIEW MORE
story-7
10 Ugly Ford Trucks That We Still Kinda Love

Slideshow: 10 ugly Ford trucks that we still kinda love.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-06-03 09:51:16


VIEW MORE
story-8
10 Things Every Truck Owner NEEDS (2026 Edition)

Slideshow: the best gifts for dads & grads

By Michael S. Palmer | 2026-06-03 15:43:58


VIEW MORE
story-9
Rezvani's Latest Post-Apocalyptic Monster Is a Ford F-150 Raptor Underneath

Slideshow: Called the Fortress, the 850-horsepower pickup combines Raptor underpinnings with military-inspired features, survival equipment, and a starting price of $285,000.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-06-03 11:38:36


VIEW MORE