I am perplexed with a noise from my 2003 F250 2WD 5.4 Auto Supercab.

Noise starts at about 10 m.p.h. and continues until about 60 m.p.h.

It's a rythmic squeak or squeal that increases frequency with the speed of the truck. It is not rpm specific and applying the brakes does not stop or change the noise. It is worse when the truck has been sitting overnight, and once I hit the interstate and run at speed for a short while, it goes away until the truck cools off for a while. If I just cruise around under 45 m.p.h. it doesn't go away.

I initially thought I had a belt slipping or a pulley going bad, but since it is not affected by rpm, I have kind of ruled that out.

It seems to be eminating from the right front wheel area or immediately behind it. It is very loud.

I know the 4wd's have some serious wheel bearing issues but this is a 2wd truck. Could my wheel bearings be causing this problem? I adjusted the preload on the bearings this past weekend per the Haynes manual but it had no effect on the noise.

The truck has 34,000 miles on it. The brake pads have plenty of meat left and the rotors exhibit little or no runout.

I plan on replacing the wheel bearings and races this weekend, but was wondering if anyone has had a similar problem or has an educated guess.

Thanks in advance for the help!

 

Because it starts at 10 mph it is pretty hard to check out from under the truck at a stop so I recommend starting with ther simple cheap things first.

I would disassemble each disk brake setup and inspect them, if all ok reassemble but make sure to use a coat os anti squeel grease. Becareful with it as MORE is NOT better.

Some of these trucks are prone to having the brake pad slide pins get corroded and cause the pads to not fulluy release so clean them up real good while you are at it.

If it was your FEAD cool acronym huh... Front Engine Accessory Drive or serpentine belt it usually would squeel all the time.

BUT the AC clutch or the Fan clutch can make some interesting noises. More often if the fan clutch is hoses you can tell just by the amount of fore and aft loosness. The AC clutch you can see as it turns on and off if it is the source you should be able to tell from under the hood with the motor being run up and down.

Don't forget the muffler bearing

OK just kidding

But while you are all set to check it out, another easy to eliminate noise maker is the driveshaft slip yoke if you have a two piece drive shaft. This needs to be removed after marking the relationship of each joint you take apart so they go back together in the exact same orientation. You will need some long nylon wire tie wraps to reseal the rubber boot on the slip yolk after you clean and lightly grease the splines.

You can probably skip this as a squeel noise source because it usually makes a clunk sound. I have had the plastic pinion input shaft deflector get out of true and cause a sort of squeel noise.

OK that s a start, time for some one else to jump in.

 

I found the source of the squeak. It's coming from the carrier bearing on the two piece driveshaft. Now I have to order a new one from Ford. Apparently it is not available aftermarket.

Strange thing is that it only does it when its cool outside. Anything over 60 degrees and it doesn't squeal. But I waited for a good cold 40 degree morning, (I'm in Florida, anything below 60 is cold!), and put the truck on jackstands, in gear and voila! Noise clearly coming from the carrier bearing.

I should have just taken in to Ford and made them fix it under warranty, but my local Ford dealer is a bunch of morons and the next closest dealer is 30 miles away.

Just wanted to post the solution in case anyone else has a similar problem.