Howling Banshee
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Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 1,553
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From: Corpus Christi, TX
Howling Banshee
I've had a problem with a hollow, howling/hooting noise coming from the front of my truck for over a year now. It only happens while braking, and the pressure applied on the brake pedal will change the tone of the howl (i.e. make it louder, or make it go away.) It only seemed to do it when the brakes were nice and hot, but now it's howling constantly.
Brake pads & rotors were replaced with new units. It was howling before the brake job (thats why I replaced them, to stop the howling), and it's continued to howl, and it's only gotten worse.
The reverberations from the howl are felt from both sides of the truck, it's as if something is vibrating in the front, and the axle tube/shafts are amplifying & carrying the sound. The noise is louder and harsher when the hubs are locked.
I posted this question before in the past, and was told to check the bearings for crunching or grinding with the rotors on, and off. I can spin the hub and it's as smooth as silk.
Anyone want to chime in on what the possible causes for my problem could be?
Brake pads & rotors were replaced with new units. It was howling before the brake job (thats why I replaced them, to stop the howling), and it's continued to howl, and it's only gotten worse.
The reverberations from the howl are felt from both sides of the truck, it's as if something is vibrating in the front, and the axle tube/shafts are amplifying & carrying the sound. The noise is louder and harsher when the hubs are locked.
I posted this question before in the past, and was told to check the bearings for crunching or grinding with the rotors on, and off. I can spin the hub and it's as smooth as silk.
Anyone want to chime in on what the possible causes for my problem could be?
Posting Guru
Joined: Apr 2004
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From: Georgia
What kind of tires do you have and what are their condition. Look for any signs of irregular wear. The slightest of abnormal tire wear can sometimes cause this. Some tires are worse than others. My Wild Country TXRs did not make a sound when new. Now they are very loud and have some vibration too.
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Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Nov 2001
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From: Corpus Christi, TX
Went to Ford to get a price on new bearings, yowza they're expensive!! Parts counter wants $399 a side for 'em.
From what I've read, the install isin't TOO bad if you've got all the right tools. I'm going to take it to the shop that I used and have the mech. go for a ride with me so I can kill the banshee once and for all!
From what I've read, the install isin't TOO bad if you've got all the right tools. I'm going to take it to the shop that I used and have the mech. go for a ride with me so I can kill the banshee once and for all!
Thread Starter
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Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 1,553
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From: Corpus Christi, TX
99f350sd,
Like you said, only thing left is the bearings, and thats the expense I'm planning for. I went shopping for rear brake pads today (seems no one carries Performance Friction pads for rear applications in my stinkin' town...) I asked the parts guy if they carried the bearing assembly for my truck, and they looked as if I had asked them for a Flux Capacitor!
Are there aftermarket sources for the bearings that you know of? I did a quick search, and I can't find much on the Dynatrac kit for stock non-lifted trucks. Monday my truck is going into the shop for a new exhaust system, OEM muffler must have broken a baffle inside, it sounds horrible. .so while it's there, I'll have their guys look at the bearings.
Like you said, only thing left is the bearings, and thats the expense I'm planning for. I went shopping for rear brake pads today (seems no one carries Performance Friction pads for rear applications in my stinkin' town...) I asked the parts guy if they carried the bearing assembly for my truck, and they looked as if I had asked them for a Flux Capacitor!
Are there aftermarket sources for the bearings that you know of? I did a quick search, and I can't find much on the Dynatrac kit for stock non-lifted trucks. Monday my truck is going into the shop for a new exhaust system, OEM muffler must have broken a baffle inside, it sounds horrible. .so while it's there, I'll have their guys look at the bearings.
Moderator
Joined: May 2004
Posts: 6,528
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From: Home Base Nebraska
Before I would spend the money on bearings, have the wheel alignment checked. To much tow in and aggressive tires with vibrate when braking and it will get worse as time goes on. After looking at your gallery I can see were the alignment could be off a little bit. 
You could also try to find someone with that you could swap front tires with and see if that stops the vibration.
Like the T-Bird,
I want one,
but the Wife won't give up her car and I won't give up my trucks.
Denny
You could also try to find someone with that you could swap front tires with and see if that stops the vibration.Like the T-Bird,
I want one, but the Wife won't give up her car and I won't give up my trucks. Denny
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From: Tampa
Originally Posted by Munkey
I've had a problem with a hollow, howling/hooting noise coming from the front of my truck for over a year now. It only happens while braking, and the pressure applied on the brake pedal will change the tone of the howl (i.e. make it louder, or make it go away.) It only seemed to do it when the brakes were nice and hot, but now it's howling constantly.
Brake pads & rotors were replaced with new units. It was howling before the brake job (thats why I replaced them, to stop the howling), and it's continued to howl, and it's only gotten worse.
The reverberations from the howl are felt from both sides of the truck, it's as if something is vibrating in the front, and the axle tube/shafts are amplifying & carrying the sound. The noise is louder and harsher when the hubs are locked.
I posted this question before in the past, and was told to check the bearings for crunching or grinding with the rotors on, and off. I can spin the hub and it's as smooth as silk.
Anyone want to chime in on what the possible causes for my problem could be?
Brake pads & rotors were replaced with new units. It was howling before the brake job (thats why I replaced them, to stop the howling), and it's continued to howl, and it's only gotten worse.
The reverberations from the howl are felt from both sides of the truck, it's as if something is vibrating in the front, and the axle tube/shafts are amplifying & carrying the sound. The noise is louder and harsher when the hubs are locked.
I posted this question before in the past, and was told to check the bearings for crunching or grinding with the rotors on, and off. I can spin the hub and it's as smooth as silk.
Anyone want to chime in on what the possible causes for my problem could be?
One of my work truck had the same sound and it was a brake calber that was hanging up. Did not find it till the truck was up on jack stands and the wheel could freespend with the hub lock in and the truck running in drive. Try not to go over idle. Then I could get up in it to track the sound. If you do this you need two people one in the truck and one to hunt down the sound.
(wear NO loose clothing!) hope this helps