Hello all,

I have a 2003 F150 4x4 5.4 SCab with 94,000. I hear what I think is a bearing noise (whirring) but it isn't too bad and isn't too far off from what maybe road noise. I have Nitto tires and did notice some when I first put them on but that was two sets ago and can't remember how loud the road noise was. I'm about to take a 700 mile trip and was wondering if there was a way to tell if it is a bearing or just tire noise. It does change slightly when I drive on different surfaces but is still there. It does seem to go away above 30 mph. Slight vibration that feels like it could be in sync with the noise.

Thoughts or suggestions would be welcome!!

Thanks

 

if you think it is a front hub assy..try this.....try to find someplace where you can make a couple "wide" turns at 30 mph or so (like a mall parking lot early in the morning) listen to the "hum" or vibration and make a wide turn several times left sweeping turn-right sweeping turn...

if you are turning to the right and the noise/vibration goes away, the problem is in the right front hob and vice versa.....when you do this you are taking a load off of the bearing and the noise vibration will go away for a few seconds or so....
i have done quite a few of them and this works for me..change em both
good luck...and dont buy the cheapest ones made,try and go with the timken brand if you can....costs more but worth it

 

Great idea. I'll try that tomorrow. I do have a background in car mechanics but it was before everything was a computer. How hard is it to change these out?

 

They are pretty easy to change out but they are expensive. They are a sealed bearing in the hub. You will change out the whole hub.

You could also jack the front end up and grab the tire at the top and bottom. Push it in and out (hands going opposite each other) and if it wiggles then they could be bad. But, if it does check the ball joints as well because that is a way to check them.

Good luck.

-Matt

 

bearing noises do not go away after 30 MPH. they get louder. still worth looking around, but if you dont see anything, i would drive the 700 miles and see if things change next month.

 

Thanks all. It sounds like I'll know when I get back. Appreciate info.