Front-End Noise
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Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 10
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From: Washington State
Front-End Noise
(Yep, I've read the FAQs AND looked through the threads!)
Still have a question, though:
I just bought a 2002 F-350 CC 4x4. While still on the lot, I asked the salesman about the hubs (I noticed they were in 'Lock').
He told me the scoop on the ESOF, etc...and reached down and turned 'em to 'Free'. After leaving the lot, I noticed that I was getting a slight noise with a little bit of a hop when turning (not at full lock, and with no power--just kind of coasting through the turn...). It was kind of like the hop you sometimes get when in 4WD.
Anyway, it did this for a couple weeks. I got answers ranging from "1 tons just do that." to "Its the tires...it'll go away when they wear down."
Finally, I put in 4W High, drove about 100 feet, and went back to 2WD--Problem solved. No noise, no jumping in the turns.
Question is: What the heck was happening and did I do any damage driving it around with that problem (the 'hopping')?
Any help appreciated!
Jeff
Still have a question, though:
I just bought a 2002 F-350 CC 4x4. While still on the lot, I asked the salesman about the hubs (I noticed they were in 'Lock').
He told me the scoop on the ESOF, etc...and reached down and turned 'em to 'Free'. After leaving the lot, I noticed that I was getting a slight noise with a little bit of a hop when turning (not at full lock, and with no power--just kind of coasting through the turn...). It was kind of like the hop you sometimes get when in 4WD.
Anyway, it did this for a couple weeks. I got answers ranging from "1 tons just do that." to "Its the tires...it'll go away when they wear down."
Finally, I put in 4W High, drove about 100 feet, and went back to 2WD--Problem solved. No noise, no jumping in the turns.
Question is: What the heck was happening and did I do any damage driving it around with that problem (the 'hopping')?
Any help appreciated!
Jeff
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Joined: Sep 2000
Posts: 1,586
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From: Linwood, N.J. USA!
Front-End Noise
Sounds to me that the truck somehow or another stayed in 4x4. Whoever turned the hubs to lock must of had it in 4x4 at one point. It could have been someone who looked at the truck before you. It could have been the person who unloaded it off of the car carrier when it was delivered to the dealership. Rainy day? Who knows. Either way, it evedently cleared up. I would keep an eye on it though. Run it for a while on the street in 2-wheel drive. Try it later in 4x4. Then see how in dis-enguages back in to 2-wheel drive. Good luck. Jake.
Tuned
Joined: Sep 2000
Posts: 417
Likes: 7
From: Olympic Peninsula, WA USA
Front-End Noise
If you have ESOF, then the hubs should have 2 positions; Auto and Lock. For normal driving keep them in Auto and they'll Automatically engage when you turn the **** in the cab. If for some reason the automatic system fails (that never happens, right guys ?!) then you can turn the hub to lock and it will lock and stay that way.
All that said, I was playing with my truck last year and drove around for a while with the hubs in lock but not engaged in 4x4. You will get popping sounds from the front axle U joints binding when you make turns. I put the hubs back in auto, but the popping continued. It took going into and out of 4x4 ESOF before the hubs completely disengaged. I've heard of other guys having this same problem. Ford will say, "Normal" I'm sure if you ask them.
All that said, I was playing with my truck last year and drove around for a while with the hubs in lock but not engaged in 4x4. You will get popping sounds from the front axle U joints binding when you make turns. I put the hubs back in auto, but the popping continued. It took going into and out of 4x4 ESOF before the hubs completely disengaged. I've heard of other guys having this same problem. Ford will say, "Normal" I'm sure if you ask them.
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New User
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 10
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From: Washington State
Front-End Noise
Yep, thats what happened to me (hubs popping around corners,etc.). Once I engaged the 4WD and disengaged, everything was normal.
Still wondering if I did any harm...doesn't sound like it, but would like to know if theres anything I should be watching for.
Jeff
Still wondering if I did any harm...doesn't sound like it, but would like to know if theres anything I should be watching for.
Jeff
Tuned
Joined: Sep 2000
Posts: 417
Likes: 7
From: Olympic Peninsula, WA USA
Front-End Noise
Your truck should be fine. The main problem is if you have the transfer case engaged. Then you put a lot of strain on the drivetrain because of different turn ratios for front tires vs back tires. Some guys lock the hubs in fall and leave them that way until spring. Us guys that are not afraid of modern technology can avoid this by simply leaving our hubs in auto and then just turning that unobtrusive **** on the dash when we need 4x4 mode 
Posting Guru
Joined: Feb 2003
Posts: 2,153
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From: Roseburg OR.
Front-End Noise
You didn't hurt your truck. You may have taken a few miles off of your tires but I'd bet that's about it. Some people might tell you about overstressing drivetrain components but I think if nothing broke then it's fine. When you do your test to see if it will go into 4x4 and back out give a good hard roddin' and see if anything breaks If not you're in the clear.
If not you're in the clear.
