05 Supercrew 4x4 with a squealing front end
 

My 05 Supercrew with 172k miles started making a horrible noise these last couple days. It sounds like its coming from the front passenger side area. The best I can describe is that it sounds like an electric tool motor with bad bearings. I'll be driving along at 45mph or above and every now and then I'll hear a really bad bearing squeal. It's bad enough that I can feel the extra friction caused by the squeal start to slow my truck down. It's vehicle speed related. I know what a bad wheel bearing sounds like and this is nothing like that. It's gotten bad enough I'm nervous to drive anywhere. Any pointers out there? :-huh

What do the rotors look like? Chances are its a bad wheel bearing, but could also be dragging brakes.

I doubt it's brakes. While the truck was moving and making the noise I applied the brakes and the sound was the same. I'm wondering if it has to do with bearings somewhere in the front axle area.

Gotta be a hub bearing going out.

Unplug the electrical connector for the IWE solenoid. It's on the firewall behind the battery. Drive it again and see if the noise is still there.

http://www.f150forum.com/f72/how-dia...72/?styleid=14