Making a clicking noise while rolling
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Making a clicking noise while rolling
I have a 2001 F 350 reg cab dually 4x4. I have taken it in for a clicking noise. It sounds similar to what the universal joints sound like when a u-joint starts going bad. I have had the front end checked by 2 different dealerships, and both can find nothing wrong. I have had the rear brakes completely re-done, rotors turned and new brake shoes put on, new rear seals and all. Done by the ford dealer. All the clips have been checked on both the front and rear, and it continues to make this clicking sound as you drive up the road. I know its in the drive line, or wheels somewhere, because the sound speeds up and slows with the actual speed I am driving. I have also had the u joints checked and they are okay. Does anyone have any idea what could be causing this noise. thanks for any help... .. jeff
Post Fiend
Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 5,859
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From: USA
I would suspect front axle shaft u-joints or front axle shaft needle bearings.
It could also be a front 4x4 hub stripped .
Heres a list to start with ,which some you say were already chkd
u-joints in all drive lines
Chk all Drive shaft mounting flanges for being loose (big nut in the center)they have been known to loosen up
center carrier bearing in driveshaft.
Have you determined its not in the transmission ,there were some tranny failure that had a big snapring break internal and cause clicking and grinding(auto's)
Chk front wheel bearings.
Chk for a stone or something in between the duallys or in the hub caps.
Also chk all your wheels for cracks ,there have been some AL wheels that develope cracks over time.
Just a few thoughts from me
Rich
It could also be a front 4x4 hub stripped .
Heres a list to start with ,which some you say were already chkd
u-joints in all drive lines
Chk all Drive shaft mounting flanges for being loose (big nut in the center)they have been known to loosen up
center carrier bearing in driveshaft.
Have you determined its not in the transmission ,there were some tranny failure that had a big snapring break internal and cause clicking and grinding(auto's)
Chk front wheel bearings.
Chk for a stone or something in between the duallys or in the hub caps.
Also chk all your wheels for cracks ,there have been some AL wheels that develope cracks over time.
Just a few thoughts from me
Rich
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Joined: Jun 2006
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From: Connecticut
Originally Posted by jb3824
I have a 2001 F 350 reg cab dually 4x4. I have taken it in for a clicking noise. It sounds similar to what the universal joints sound like when a u-joint starts going bad. I have had the front end checked by 2 different dealerships, and both can find nothing wrong. I have had the rear brakes completely re-done, rotors turned and new brake shoes put on, new rear seals and all. Done by the ford dealer. All the clips have been checked on both the front and rear, and it continues to make this clicking sound as you drive up the road. I know its in the drive line, or wheels somewhere, because the sound speeds up and slows with the actual speed I am driving. I have also had the u joints checked and they are okay. Does anyone have any idea what could be causing this noise. thanks for any help... .. jeff
I had the same problem.
Freshman User
Joined: Apr 2006
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From: Jacksonville, NC
Check your hubs. I just had mine replace. I was driving thinking it was just a bad road then when I got on the highway it was still there. Get under it and wiggle the u-joints at the hubs. If they wiggle alot the you need new hubs$$$$$$$$$$$$$$
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have an '04 Explorer that made clicking noise real bad at low speed. Engaged the parking brake while rolling <5 mph. Truck made loud bang then brake engaged and the clicking stopped. Now every time it starts clicking I engage the brake and it quits for awhile (every 10-15k)
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I have tried all the ideas I got from ya'll on here. One of my friends that is a mechanic said he also believes it may be the hubs going bad. To replace with warn, is replaceing hubs a very hard job? Is that something I would be able to do in say a day or two? I have some mechanical experience, but by no means a mechanic. I usually do all the maint. that I can. Any suggestions. I feel that I probably could do the job, but don't exactly know how hard it would be. thanks
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If it is the wheel bearing... DO NOT DRIVE!!! You could cause serious damage to your axle assembly and cost yourself lots of $$$$!!!
How long has it been making this noise? To me it sounds like your wheel bearing assembly is going bad... unfortunately this is completely unpredictable and kinda pricey to fix. You just have to bite the bullet and fix them when they go bad. The front wheel bearings are sealed and get their lube from the rear axle.. so it's kind of a difficult job. I would suggest making sure that this is the problem (at a truck shop specializing in large trucks and 4x4's). Replacing those wheel bearings on these trucks is not for the lay mechanic!!! Much different from the simple construction of a trailer wheel bearing or car wheel bearing. I had my front left wheel bearing and hub assembly replaced for $702. Hopefully everything will go in your favor~!! Best of luck to ya!
-Casey
How long has it been making this noise? To me it sounds like your wheel bearing assembly is going bad... unfortunately this is completely unpredictable and kinda pricey to fix. You just have to bite the bullet and fix them when they go bad. The front wheel bearings are sealed and get their lube from the rear axle.. so it's kind of a difficult job. I would suggest making sure that this is the problem (at a truck shop specializing in large trucks and 4x4's). Replacing those wheel bearings on these trucks is not for the lay mechanic!!! Much different from the simple construction of a trailer wheel bearing or car wheel bearing. I had my front left wheel bearing and hub assembly replaced for $702. Hopefully everything will go in your favor~!! Best of luck to ya!
-Casey
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Joined: Mar 2005
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From: VENTURA COUNTY
To check if it is infact the sealed wheel bearing.Jack the suspected side of truck,whether the driver or passenger.Grab the wheel at the 6 & 12 o'clock positions and wiggle.If there is any play,your bearings are the problem.If there is some play,if you were to look over the top of the tire you can see the hub assembly moving(that means bad bearing).I am not a seasoned mechanic and did mine.All in all pretty easy to do.I just didnt want to pay $800 at some shop for the work.
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well the bad news is in. I have confirmed that the hubs are going bad on my F-350. I am dissapointed to be honest. I used to drive a 86 bronco 2, when i sold it, with 270,000 miles on it, it still had the factory hubs, and they were working great. Of course I had the normal maint. done to it. But this truck i have now is a 2001, and already had to replace the water pump, complete brake job on the rear,had to have the front re-alinged, and now the front hubs are gone, and I don't use the 4 wheel drive very often, I am seriously thinking about trading it in. If these parts can't last any longer than this, seems to me the heavy duty cost of buying a quote "heavy duty" truck isn't worth it, especially sense the lighter duty trucks seem to last as long, if not longer with out all the major maint. Am I just unlucky, or has anyone else on here had the same or similar problems on these trucks, with what should be relative low miles ,??? I mean what is the point in haveing a power stroke engine good for a half million miles, if you have to totally rebuild the rest of the truck every hundred thousand...just wondering
Post Fiend
Joined: Jan 2002
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From: USA
Glad you found the problem!.
Don't know what your mileage is,but these trucks require the front hubs to be lubed and cleaned regularly whether you use 4wd or not.
A key thing for the 4wd system is to be used at least once a month this keeps things lubed and free.
If you live in an area where snow an rain are common cleaning and regreasing is paramount to these parts lasting.
When Ford went to a non greasable front wheel bearing very few people pull there hubs to lube them.
Back on your Bronco you had greaseable front wheel bearings ,so if you had maitenance done your front bearings and hubs got greased.
Good luck
Rich
Don't know what your mileage is,but these trucks require the front hubs to be lubed and cleaned regularly whether you use 4wd or not.
A key thing for the 4wd system is to be used at least once a month this keeps things lubed and free.
If you live in an area where snow an rain are common cleaning and regreasing is paramount to these parts lasting.
When Ford went to a non greasable front wheel bearing very few people pull there hubs to lube them.
Back on your Bronco you had greaseable front wheel bearings ,so if you had maitenance done your front bearings and hubs got greased.
Good luck
Rich
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