I have a 2017 Ford F350 diesel dully long bed super cab with a little less than 20k miles. I was experiencing a loud squeaking sound, and found that it was coming from the overload springs rubbing against the rubber stops. After cleaning with WD-40, I sprayed a coat of dry lube on both the springs and rubber stops and the squeaking noise was eliminated. But while confirming that the squeaking noise was gone by rocking the truck from side-to-side, I noticed a popping sound coming from the wheel hubs (both sides). I could place my hand on the wheel hub cover and feel the popping. At that time, I had a travel trailer connected (1000 pounds tongue weight) and probably around 400-500 pounds of stuff in the bed. With this load, only the rear of the overload springs was engaged. I could not replicate the popping sound with the truck unloaded or with the 5th wheel connected. Although with the 5th wheel connected, I could hear a faint squeaking sound not coming from the overload springs. This is the first dually I have owned so not sure if this is normal. Is there some play built into dually wheels for load distribution, or other reasons? Again, both sides made the same noise maybe. Would like to get some feedback before I take it in to local dealer. After the response I got from them when I called about the loud squeaking noise, I don’t have a lot of confidence in their service department.

Hope I made sense with my description. Any feedback will be greatly appreciated.

 

We have a 16 350 DRW and had another 16 350 DRW now replaced with a 450. We have never had what you are describing. I am sure you have checked this, but the first thing I would confirm is the wheels are on the hub (hubcentric) properly and are torqued to the correct level.

Good luck

ZooDad

 

I have to take it in for an oil change and will ask the dealer to check the wheels. I haven't tried it but have read where getting the plastic wheel hub cover off is a bear.

 

OMG its borderline ridiculous.
When I purchased my snow tires for the new truck I went to the tire shop I always use, know the guys well, with my 6 steel wheels in the back and they mounted up the new snows.
No one, not one of them could get the rear hub caps off. Not one wrench, not the manager, no one had a tool that would get them off (6 line mechanics at this tire store).
Some of these guys are real guys too, I use them to mount my race tires, been going there for years.
We had all the tools out from the truck's tire kit plus anything they had in their shop. Nothing worked.
This is a tire store, part of a large chain of tire stores. Nothing was able to get under the notches in the rear caps with enough purchase to pull them off.

We put the fronts on and I took the truck home and did some reading here on FTE and saw a post about a ratchet strap with J hooks.
I had a few 1" J hook ratchet straps, took one, modified the hooks a bit with my grinder (you have to cut the "J" down a bit shorter to get under the notch in the cap) and thats how I popped them off.
I now carry that ratchet strap and a 2x4 under the rear seat.
The dually rear caps are horrible. Might be a dumber design than the pass through wires.
Ford does not provide ANYTHING that will hook under the notches with sufficient purchase on the rear caps to pull them off.
If anyone were to get a flat and have to change a tire in the field / on the side of the road, I dont know how you would change it without just giving up and destroying the cap.
So very stupidly designed.

 

A set of these, or something like them work very well.

 

simple door hook ( the hook and eye type), a cheap strap, and a crow bar....comes right off.

 

Both the suggestions above yep I can see those working great.
The point I was trying to make is that its unlikely anyone will have those items in their truck or their toolbox when the time comes "unless you know about it".

We tried all sizes and shapes of prybars, interior tools, seal pullers, etc. Nothing fit in there and allowed you to get a pull on the cap.
Ford should have included something that works.

 

Not cheap, but someone on the F-450 Facebook Page pointed this out right when I bought my 2019 so I bought it and put it under my back seat (with a pad to put on the ground, because when that cap comes off with this slide hammer, it goes flying and the chrome scratches easy)!!! It works like a dent puller - put the hook in the slot and just slide the "Hammer" handle towards the street a few times, then off she comes! https://www.djvmerchandise.com/OTC-5...ol_p_7061.html

 

I use a seal puller to get the hub covers off

 

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