Help! Front axle question
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New User
Joined: Jul 2004
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Help! Front axle question
Gentleman,
I'm new to the forum but not to Ford. No experience w/ 4X4 front axles. I have a 99 F150 4X4 w/ a rotational noise that developed over approximately 1 weeks time. When I first noticed it(wife usually drives)I had to run to the store and noticed the ominous rum rum rum. Checked the fluid in front diff & found it down cople ounces. Now my question......What are your best guesses as to where the culprit most likely resides? I am not familiar w/ these front ends at all so I don't know where to look first. Any help would certainly be appreciated.
I'm new to the forum but not to Ford. No experience w/ 4X4 front axles. I have a 99 F150 4X4 w/ a rotational noise that developed over approximately 1 weeks time. When I first noticed it(wife usually drives)I had to run to the store and noticed the ominous rum rum rum. Checked the fluid in front diff & found it down cople ounces. Now my question......What are your best guesses as to where the culprit most likely resides? I am not familiar w/ these front ends at all so I don't know where to look first. Any help would certainly be appreciated.
Postmaster
Joined: Jul 2001
Posts: 4,038
Likes: 3
From: South Kitsap County, WA
rum, rum? Sounds like normal harmonics, could be due to tire wear or bearings.... many different items make the sound I liken to a "warp" engine. Try rotating the tires to see if the noise changes.
Technical information on this front end: Ford factory 8.8", reverse cut, center disconnect (the vaccuum actuator for the front end is at the differential housing). It is a strange creature when you're used to dealing with old manual/ auto hubs.
If you've owned the truck for these past 5+ years with no maintenance on the front diff, then a few ounces is not much to worry about. It is probably about time to change the fluid (full synth 90W-140, iirc). It'll also give you an opportunity to look for wear in that area.
-Kerry
Technical information on this front end: Ford factory 8.8", reverse cut, center disconnect (the vaccuum actuator for the front end is at the differential housing). It is a strange creature when you're used to dealing with old manual/ auto hubs.
If you've owned the truck for these past 5+ years with no maintenance on the front diff, then a few ounces is not much to worry about. It is probably about time to change the fluid (full synth 90W-140, iirc). It'll also give you an opportunity to look for wear in that area.
-Kerry
Hotshot
Joined: Aug 2002
Posts: 12,679
Likes: 15
From: BC, Canada
Hi JDW and welcome to the forum 
Like Kerry said you should probably try rotating the tires and see what happens. If they are cupped they can make noise.
Does the noise change at all if you move the steering wheel back and forth? Usually if it does then you have a bad wheel bearing.
Like Kerry said you should probably try rotating the tires and see what happens. If they are cupped they can make noise.
Does the noise change at all if you move the steering wheel back and forth? Usually if it does then you have a bad wheel bearing.
