4x4 Howl
Thread Starter
|
Senior User
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 240
Likes: 0
From: Illinois
4x4 Howl
I've got a little bit of a howl when I put it in 4x4, me thinks the transfer case. Here are the methods of trouble-shooting:
Hubs in Auto, Transfer Case in 4x4: Howl
-Put switch back in 2WD, must downshift to third gear at 40MPH to disengage transfer case.
Hubs Locked, Transfer Case in 2WD - No Noise
Hubs Locked, Placed in 4WD - Howl
-Switched to 2WD, must downshift to third gear at 40MPH to disengage transfer case.
I say "Disengage Transfer Case" because it does not make any noise w/ hubs locked in 2WD but as soon as the transfer case comes into play I get the howl and when I switch ESOF back to 2WD the howl will follow me for miles and miles and that is why I must ever so slightly downshift.
Describing the howl: Like driving at 50MPH in a truck with 38" PJ Dirt Grips
Bad bearing? I bought the thing wisper quiet. Of course the dealer says this is normal.
Hubs in Auto, Transfer Case in 4x4: Howl
-Put switch back in 2WD, must downshift to third gear at 40MPH to disengage transfer case.
Hubs Locked, Transfer Case in 2WD - No Noise
Hubs Locked, Placed in 4WD - Howl
-Switched to 2WD, must downshift to third gear at 40MPH to disengage transfer case.
I say "Disengage Transfer Case" because it does not make any noise w/ hubs locked in 2WD but as soon as the transfer case comes into play I get the howl and when I switch ESOF back to 2WD the howl will follow me for miles and miles and that is why I must ever so slightly downshift.
Describing the howl: Like driving at 50MPH in a truck with 38" PJ Dirt Grips
Bad bearing? I bought the thing wisper quiet. Of course the dealer says this is normal.
Posting Guru
Joined: Mar 2003
Posts: 1,943
Likes: 0
Sounds like a blown cup in the cv of your front driveshaft. I won't explain how I know. Pull off the front shaft and the shift in to 4wd and if you don't have the noise then it's not the t-case.I'm betting on the shaft.
Junior User
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 64
Likes: 0
From: up state VT
I think cwb is on the right track. Had that problem for quite some time. It is a real pain to track down. I pulled and swapped everything trying to find it...including the front diff. Still was there. Finally bought a reman xfer case bcuz it was the only thing left. Nope, noise still there. A friend had the same problem except he replaced everything. BIG $$$$$$. Everything including rebuilding the front driveshaft....xcept that cv. That was it, and it appeared to work ok. A little advice would be to swap your driveshaft with a known good one. Noises don't like to show up unless they are under load. And that cv may work fine, but just doesn't like certain drive/load angles.
FTE Leadership Emeritus
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 161,999
Likes: 75
From: 3rd Rock
Originally Posted by CruisnPhantom
I've got a little bit of a howl when I put it in 4x4, me thinks the transfer case. Here are the methods of trouble-shooting:
Hubs in Auto, Transfer Case in 4x4: Howl
-Put switch back in 2WD, must downshift to third gear at 40MPH to disengage transfer case.
Hubs Locked, Transfer Case in 2WD - No Noise
Hubs Locked, Placed in 4WD - Howl
-Switched to 2WD, must downshift to third gear at 40MPH to disengage transfer case.
I say "Disengage Transfer Case" because it does not make any noise w/ hubs locked in 2WD but as soon as the transfer case comes into play I get the howl and when I switch ESOF back to 2WD the howl will follow me for miles and miles and that is why I must ever so slightly downshift.
Describing the howl: Like driving at 50MPH in a truck with 38" PJ Dirt Grips
Bad bearing? I bought the thing wisper quiet. Of course the dealer says this is normal.
Hubs in Auto, Transfer Case in 4x4: Howl
-Put switch back in 2WD, must downshift to third gear at 40MPH to disengage transfer case.
Hubs Locked, Transfer Case in 2WD - No Noise
Hubs Locked, Placed in 4WD - Howl
-Switched to 2WD, must downshift to third gear at 40MPH to disengage transfer case.
I say "Disengage Transfer Case" because it does not make any noise w/ hubs locked in 2WD but as soon as the transfer case comes into play I get the howl and when I switch ESOF back to 2WD the howl will follow me for miles and miles and that is why I must ever so slightly downshift.
Describing the howl: Like driving at 50MPH in a truck with 38" PJ Dirt Grips
Bad bearing? I bought the thing wisper quiet. Of course the dealer says this is normal.
How many miles on the truck, do you use 4x4 allot
Thread Starter
|
Senior User
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 240
Likes: 0
From: Illinois
Trending Topics
Elder User
Joined: May 2004
Posts: 545
Likes: 0
Mine does the same thing but at very low speeds. When I take it out of 4x4 it still howls. Did it until my hubs started ticking. Fixed that today. Springs were getting weak, restretched the springs and ticking gone. Test drove it and whine came back for the first time sinse hubs clicked. When I disengaged 4x4 whine was still there then service Engine soon light came on. Any thoughts???
FTE Stories
Ford Trucks for Ford Truck Enthusiasts
2027 Ford Super Duty Buyer's Guide (Every Model, Engine, & Package)
Brett Foote
Top 10 Ford Truck Tragedies
Joe Kucinski
AEV FXL Super Duty - the Super Duty Raptor Ford Doesn't Make
Brett Foote
Lobo Vs Lobo: Proof the F-150 Lobo Should Be Even Lower!
Michael S. Palmer
Ford's 2001 Explorer Sportsman Concept Looks For a New Home
Verdad Gallardo
10 Best Ford Truck Engines We Miss the Most!
Joe Kucinski
2026 Shelby F-150 Off-Road: Better Than a Raptor R?
Brett Foote
2027 Super Duty Carhartt Package First Look: 12 Things You NEED to Know!
Michael S. Palmer
10 Most Surprising 2026 Ford Truck Features!
Joe Kucinski
Elder User
Joined: May 2004
Posts: 545
Likes: 0
Code will be checked later today. Howl is coming from front passenger side wheel. Hub doesnt make noise(ticking) anymore. Sounds at U-joint wheel bearing area. when pulling on wheel in and out bearing feel good. I am in the process of inspecting right now.
Elder User
Joined: May 2004
Posts: 545
Likes: 0
I sprayed some wd-40 in both sides of u-joint. axle side made noise while in reverse. Hub side made noise going forward. after spraying wd-40 in both side noise is gone. Not actual u-joint but where it went into axle housing and wheel bearing housing. Dirt maybe? or do I need to take it in and get torn apart?
Elder User
Joined: May 2004
Posts: 545
Likes: 0
Ok code was p1406, ref#8043 or something. Says dfpe sensor hose loose or disconnected. Mechanic said it measures downstream backpressure. Only line coming from exhaust is on drivers side exhaust manifold. Its metaland not loose? If this is a backpressure issue which it might be due to hollow cat and magna flow exhaust. But I hollowed cat 3 weeks ago. Light has since gone off itself after a days driving around town. Should I have a high flow cat installed? Back to the howl......are those rubber grommets that could have just been dirty?? and why would it start only after 4x4 is engaged when they turn when wheels are moving anyways? WD-40 is still working and have tried engaging 4x4 several time with no noise anymore.