Need help ID'ing problem..wheel bearings?
Thread Starter
|
Posting Guru
Joined: Feb 2003
Posts: 1,135
Likes: 0
From: Illinois
Need help ID'ing problem..wheel bearings?
i have a 2001 f150 5.4 4x4 off road with 165,000 mi. while driving i have a squeaking sound coming from the front end which at times can also sound like a crunching and grinding sound. ive always believed it to be a wheel bearing but how can i tell for sure? id hate to go buy new hub assemblys and it be cv joints instead. thanks.
Senior User
Joined: Nov 2009
Posts: 203
Likes: 1
From: Western North Carolina
AFAIK, hubs & drive joints on the F-150's last a long time.
You should determine the source of the noise first, before changing parts.
Can also be lower ball joints or stabilizer link ends.
You should determine the source of the noise first, before changing parts.
Can also be lower ball joints or stabilizer link ends.
Thread Starter
|
Posting Guru
Joined: Feb 2003
Posts: 1,135
Likes: 0
From: Illinois
the squealing/grinding noise comes while the wheels are rotating. the closest i can pin point it is in the front left wheel area somewhere. i notice the noise more after i have been driving for a while and back up, not as much when in forward motion.
i appreciate the help but my question is more so, what is the best way to check if its the wheel bearing/hub or something else?
i appreciate the help but my question is more so, what is the best way to check if its the wheel bearing/hub or something else?
Elder User
Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 768
Likes: 0
From: Michigan
Put it up on jack stands. Spin the wheel to see if you can pin point it to a bearing or cv joint. If you still can't determine, see if there is play in the wheel to suggest that it is a bearing. If You have play in the front wheel then it is more than likely a bearing you are hearing. There will not be play in the wheel if it is a cv joint.
Also, it is not common for just the cv joint to fail without something causing it to fail. If you have a torn boot then there's a good chance that the cv joint is bad. If you cranked your torsion bars adding stress to the cv joint due to the increases angle without the boot being ripped, your cv joint may be bad.
Also, it is not common for just the cv joint to fail without something causing it to fail. If you have a torn boot then there's a good chance that the cv joint is bad. If you cranked your torsion bars adding stress to the cv joint due to the increases angle without the boot being ripped, your cv joint may be bad.
Trending Topics
Mountain Pass
Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 213
Likes: 0
From: Aston Pa USA
I had a squeal/whine noise that changed pitch with speed, but did not change with braking, or turning.
There is a seal or something where the CV joint goes into the hub. I shot a bit of WD40 around the CV joint where it goes into the hub, and my noise went away for a few weeks.
If you have a bad bearing, the noise should change with steering load as you turn, also if you jack it up and spin the wheel, you usually feel some roughness if it's going bad.
I hope this helps.
There is a seal or something where the CV joint goes into the hub. I shot a bit of WD40 around the CV joint where it goes into the hub, and my noise went away for a few weeks.
If you have a bad bearing, the noise should change with steering load as you turn, also if you jack it up and spin the wheel, you usually feel some roughness if it's going bad.
I hope this helps.
FTE Stories
Ford Trucks for Ford Truck Enthusiasts
10 Things Every Truck Owner NEEDS (2026 Edition)
Michael S. Palmer
Rezvani's Latest Post-Apocalyptic Monster Is a Ford F-150 Raptor Underneath
Verdad Gallardo
Top 10 Most Expensive Ford Trucks Ever Sold on Bring a Trailer
Joe Kucinski
2027 Ford Super Duty Buyer's Guide (Every Model, Engine, & Package)
Brett Foote
Top 10 Ford Truck Tragedies
Joe Kucinski
AEV FXL Super Duty - the Super Duty Raptor Ford Doesn't Make
Brett Foote
Lobo Vs Lobo: Proof the F-150 Lobo Should Be Even Lower!
Michael S. Palmer
Ford's 2001 Explorer Sportsman Concept Looks For a New Home
Verdad Gallardo
10 Best Ford Truck Engines We Miss the Most!
Joe Kucinski
Hotshot
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 11,931
Likes: 180
wellif it wont do it going down the road, only when you back up, then i doubt it is the bearning. sounds more like the emergency brake shoe on the back axle. ( i know you said it might be noise in the front). Old e-brake shoes fall apart after 5-6 years.
Senior User
Joined: Aug 2009
Posts: 304
Likes: 2
Push the front end up and down on the side you think it is. Squeaking probably means balljoints. If it's a bearing you should have some slack
in the wheel. Jack it up and see if you can move the wheel. You can also
put a prybar under the wheel and check the lower balljoint.
in the wheel. Jack it up and see if you can move the wheel. You can also
put a prybar under the wheel and check the lower balljoint.
Elder User
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 605
Likes: 1
Jack the truck up. Rock the wheels at 12 o'clock and 6 o'clock. Also rock at 3 o'clock and 9 o'clock. Do you see any freeplay at the tie rod ends, idler arm, pitman arm or drag link. With vehicle still jacked up look for freeplay between the steering knuckle and the lower control arm/lower ball joint. Slowly jack up the lower ball joint while observing the steering knuckle. When the lower control arm begins to move upward does the steering knuckle start to move at the same exact time? If the lower control arm moves before the steering knuckle moves there is freeplay in the ball joint socket and requires replacement. Look for other signs of wear such as worn rubber bushings. Also examine the rubber isolators at the top and botttom of the coil springs. I have seen vehicles where they are missing and that's metal on metal. This makes a heck of a squeak.
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
zjmt12
Brakes, Steering, Suspension, Tires, & Wheels
1
Jul 14, 2005 01:15 PM
