front end grinding noise?
Thread Starter
|
Senior User
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 114
Likes: 0
front end grinding noise?
every once in a while when im driving down the road and hit a bump, this really loud grinding noise starts, then as soon as I hit another bump it stops, it sounds pretty bad, I can hear it over the radio and i can feel it, feels like its comming from the front drivers side. Ive looked down there and I cant see anywhere that looks like its rubbing. My 4 wheel drive all still works, brakes, everything works. any ideas?
Laughing Gas
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 807
Likes: 0
From: Prince George, BC
i sort have have that same problem, but not while driving down the road, i have to be just idleing and when going slow maybe 5-10 mph i hit some little bumps or if the front end compresses alittle mor than usual and it sounds like something is rubbing or ginding. it does it to when i go over speed bumps slow. everything looks fine under the vehicle too. i was thinking a ball joint but i think i would have felt something in the steering while driving. truck tracks fine and smooth. the sound appears to be coming from the drivers side front somewhere. could it be just leaf springs rubbing together??
Fleet Owner
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 25,090
Likes: 1,112
From: Rio Rico, AZ.
Loose wheel bearings is what I think. Get the weight of the truck off of the wheels and push/pull in and out on the top and bottom of the wheel. There should be no in and out movement whatsoever. Only rotation of the tire.
Junior User
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 69
Likes: 0
there is definately a pattern here.....my 99 F350 4x4 PSD just started doing the exact same thing.....what the heck is that grinding/rubbing noise?????did u guys ever find anything wrong.....I dont wanna just start replacing or take it to the stealership........HELP fellas!!!!!! It comes and goes......exactly like u guys described....
vince
vince
Senior User
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 318
Likes: 0
I'm there too, with my 97 F350 4x4 cc. Comes and goes, although more frequently now. Sometimes it right after I hit brakes, other times it happens when I let up on accelerator, or make a turn at slow speed. Could be at high speed also, but who could hear then.
I hope someones got the answer to this, I don't want to be throwing money into a guessing game, but don't want to break down 500 miles from home. Boy wouldn't the stealership wolves love that.
I hope someones got the answer to this, I don't want to be throwing money into a guessing game, but don't want to break down 500 miles from home. Boy wouldn't the stealership wolves love that.
Senior User
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 130
Likes: 0
try this test...manually lock in the front hubs ( it's not necessary to put it in four wheel drive) and drive over the road where it ussually makes the noise. is the noise still there? if not, your problem is probally the 20.00 roller bearing that is in the rear of the front wheel bearing hub assembly. the hub assembly is not serviceable BUT if you remove the hub from the spindle, you can then drive out the old roller bearing and drive in the new one ( ford item). this bearing supports the axle shaft and when in 2 wheel drive and the hubs are released,it spins around the stationary axle shaft. when the bearing starts to sieze up, it tries to turn the axle shaft...this causes the noise you are describing. the new front wheel bearing hub comes with the bearing, but it's not necessary to replace the hub assembly, around $100.00. i hope this helps you !
Senior User
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 130
Likes: 0
sorry for the typo... the price on the frt hub is 200.00 - 300.00, depending on your discount. if it's your lucky day, it'll be the roller bearing !!
Trending Topics
Senior User
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 318
Likes: 0
I don't have manual locking hubs, so I assume they are always locked. My noise did start a day or two after engaging 4wd just for short period of time. I don't really use it this time of year so I will engage it once in awhile for maint thing.
FTE Stories
Ford Trucks for Ford Truck Enthusiasts
10 Things Every Truck Owner NEEDS (2026 Edition)
Michael S. Palmer
Rezvani's Latest Post-Apocalyptic Monster Is a Ford F-150 Raptor Underneath
Verdad Gallardo
Top 10 Most Expensive Ford Trucks Ever Sold on Bring a Trailer
Joe Kucinski
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
Senior User
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 130
Likes: 0
on your front hubs, do you have anything ? or is it just a blank cover ? mine has esof and on the hubs, you can put it in "auto" or "manual". never the less, you can run the same test with it in 4wd, just be carefull on dry pavement.
Senior User
Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 358
Likes: 1
From: Florida
I had the same problem. It turned out to be the caliper was not slidding properly on the disc brake caliper pin bolts which cause the caliper not to release properly. It would sound like it was grinding than go away. I rebuilt the calipers and flushed out my brake lines totally. I got a new caliper pins and greased them up real good. Totally stopped making the noise.
A few other things you want to check would be the thickness of the rotor. If its to thin this will cause the caliper piston to come out to far which causes it not to release properly. Next would be check any retaining nuts for the hubs or bearings and make sure there tightened to the proper specifications.
A few other things you want to check would be the thickness of the rotor. If its to thin this will cause the caliper piston to come out to far which causes it not to release properly. Next would be check any retaining nuts for the hubs or bearings and make sure there tightened to the proper specifications.
New User
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 12
Likes: 0
From: KC Metro Area
Here's my 2 cents worth...
Same intermittent problem on the front drivers side, only I describe the noise as an elephant with a head cold. There is drag and it's worse on the highway when speeds get up to 70 or 75. Sometimes lasting for just a second, other times for 30 seconds or so. Last time it happened for an extended period of time (I was going about 45) I kicked in 4X4 high and the noise instantly went away. I swapped the existing lockouts and that noise went away. However, now I hear a noise that sounds very similar to a warped rotor (a rubbing wump, wump, wump). Problem is I don't "feel" the noise when I brake and the braking doesn't silent the noise. I sounds as if it's now coming from the front passenger side. Since the original noise that was on the drivers side is gone and the new noise is on the passengers side, could a bad lockout be the cause of both problems?
Same intermittent problem on the front drivers side, only I describe the noise as an elephant with a head cold. There is drag and it's worse on the highway when speeds get up to 70 or 75. Sometimes lasting for just a second, other times for 30 seconds or so. Last time it happened for an extended period of time (I was going about 45) I kicked in 4X4 high and the noise instantly went away. I swapped the existing lockouts and that noise went away. However, now I hear a noise that sounds very similar to a warped rotor (a rubbing wump, wump, wump). Problem is I don't "feel" the noise when I brake and the braking doesn't silent the noise. I sounds as if it's now coming from the front passenger side. Since the original noise that was on the drivers side is gone and the new noise is on the passengers side, could a bad lockout be the cause of both problems?
Senior User
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 130
Likes: 0
yes , it could be a lock out hub not releasing completely. have you tried switching (turning) it from manual to auto and back again, a few times ? you might have to disassemble it and check it aout if that does not work. have a ford day!
Junior User
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 69
Likes: 0
Hey everyone---In reference to the above thread......my F-350 is still making this loud vibration/grinding noise in the front end when I hit the slighest bump in the road it starts this vicious noise until I come to complete stop and start all over again. I had someone look at it and they said it was: Both tie-rods, ball joints and the trac bars----all causing this vibration........DOES THIS MAKE SENSE TO ANYONE!!!!?????
