Was towing boat today, and suddenly got strong vibration, and low frequency rumble sound in the truck. Stopped, and felt all the hubs, and everything was cool to the touch. Took off again, no vibration. Then it started again. Of course, I was over 100 miles from home! Got off freeway, onto 2 lane smooth road. Went relatively slow, and with window down, noise sounded like from the front of the truck. All of a sudden, noise and vibes stopped. Truck sounded quiet and smooth like normal. Discovered that bumps in the road surface could cause vibes to start, or stop. In stop and go traffic, vibes and rumble could be felt strongly, until close to stopped. Then it went away. But vibes didn't always start back up. I drove the 100+ miles home with no problems, other than the vibes starting and stopping, due to road surface, or just whenever. Truck drove like normal, no noticeable extra play in the steering, or any other different driving characteristics.
I did check to make sure the front shafts were spinning free, to verify hubs were not locked. I locked and unlocked both hubs to make sure they felt normal. Transfer case is manual.
Any ideas are appreciated on where to look first.
The only thing I did before I left this morning was change the front tire pressure from 45 psi, to 55 psi. This noise and vibes didn't start till I was almost to where I was going, roughly 110 miles from home.

 

Hi Dave, low rumbles sud like a driveshaft problem. are u-joints ok?

 

Mine started to so the same thing yesterday. I think its the needle bearings, today I locked my hubs and went for a ride and there was no "rumble" anymore. If it doesnt get to cold, ill pull my axle shafts out and take a look at the bearings. Im allmost sure thats what its gonna be.

 

EDIT: I meant to say hubs, not axle shafts.

 

Well, I think I see the problem. When I spin the driver's side front tire, it looks like it wants to turn the stub axle with it, and it looks like the stub wants to wobble when it does this. I took the manual hub out, and it appears to spin freely, but it has a slight noise, if I spin it fast enough.
Anyone know the PN for the needle bearing?

 

c6tz-3123-a these are ford parts and are cheap 2 0r 3$ hopefully your stub axle is in good shape still 100+$

 

OK- I'm thinking here! Scary. The stub shaft does not turn unless the truck is in 4WD, correct? Yes. The needle bearing does not rotate unless the stub is rotating, as it is mounted to the fixed part of the wheel bearing hub, correct? Yes.
So therefore, what is causing the stub to attempt, successfully, to rotate, and cause the vibration, has to be the 4WD locking hub, correct?
Or have I just lost my mind?

 

The needle bearing is your trouble, no question about it. The bearing is dry, and friction is grabbing the stub and attempting to turn it. Don't continue to drive long...you will damage the stub. The needle bearing is cheap, $10-15 or so and is relatively easy to replace.

I believe your second assumption is incorrect. The bearing is turning with the rotating hub assembly, unless I'm mistaken.

 

Yes- my theory (assumption) is incorrect. I just ran down to the parts store and looked at a hub. The needle bearing does turn with the wheel. I called the bearing supplier and they are $7.99 each. I looked at the number (B-2110) while I was checking out the hub.

 

Try directfordparts.com they are a sponsor on this site and you can save big on all your Genuine Ford parts needs.

 

wow last time i bought these besrings they were ALOT cheaper. i just saw the prise and realised i need to buy myself some more spares. if the shaft is destroyed you can get them from ford or e-bay.

 

All fixed. The needle bearing was desperate for grease! I replaced the bearing. It was easier than cleaning it. Took some scotch-brite to the shaft, blew everything out. Cleaned everything up, packed the bearing, and threw it all back together. 1 1/2 hours or so. Not too bad for an amateur!

 

You'll be on a NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series pit crew in no time!

I hope that solved your problem.

 

Yeah, maybe in my dreams, lol. I hope the problem is resolved. Time will tell.

 

Hi,

The axle (u-joint) in my truck is coming down and hitting on the ball joint. I have had it all part to change the seals and that support bushing seal but did not notice the needle bearing. Would the bad needle bearing cause this? do i have to change the whole hub assembly? I got fed up and booked into the dealer. I just wondered if that $8 bearing is an option to that whole hub assembly?

2001 F250 4x4 diesel
235,000 km