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  #1  
Old 05-23-2018, 10:10 AM
TheBreeze TheBreeze is offline
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Default Need help diagnosing noise in left front

I have a weird noise in the left front of my 4x4. I first replaced the rotor and pads because they were worn out. I then replaced the half-shaft with both CV joints because it was worn out and came apart when I tugged on one end.

The final noise happens when I hit a bump and I get a rapid thump, thump, thump until I hit another bump or I stop. When I start up again all is well until I hit another bump. The noise is at a constant rate and doesn't slow down when I slow the truck. I can be driving at 5 MPH and thumping is very fast until I stop completely. When it is happening it feels like a bad wheel bearing and you can feel it through the steering wheel.

I figured since the noise didn't change with speed and the hub bearing has no slack or play, it might be electrical. I unplugged the ABS connector and there was no change. Then I figured it might be the 4WD system cycling on and off rapidly so I unplugged the big connector under the hood. No change. There is a lot of play in the front drive shaft but if there were a problem with that it would change with the speed.

I'm at a total loss here. Anyone had this problem before or have any other theories?

Thanks In Advance,
Tim

Edit: Someone else described it as a rumble strip noise another as riding on knobby tires. Both accurate and not answered.
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Last edited by TheBreeze; 05-23-2018 at 10:52 AM. Reason: More info
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  #2  
Old 05-23-2018, 11:41 AM
rwenzing rwenzing is offline
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Default Re: Need help diagnosing noise in left front

Wheel bearings can rumble without necessarily showing play.

Also --> Check to be sure that the short, thick caliper mount bolts did not loosen after the brake work. Check it before you drive the truck again. It is very common to under torque these bolts if tightened by "feel" alone. The initial result may be noise and vibration. Later a bolt can fall out and the caliper can pivot outward and be driven through the wheel - instant flat, destroyed wheel and possible loss of control.

Per the shop manual: the caliper mount bolts must use threadlocker AND be torqued to 85 lb-ft using a torque wrench. Ford recommends replacing the bolts whenever removed. New Ford bolts come pretreated with threadlocker.
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  #3  
Old 05-24-2018, 08:09 AM
TheBreeze TheBreeze is offline
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Default Re: Need help diagnosing noise in left front

Thanks for the advice. I'd learned about the caliper bolts the hard way. Luckily I was only a mile from home.

I've found out over the years that bad bearings either rumble all of the time, change sound when turning one way or the other, or sound differently at different speeds. The noise I'm having is the same regardless of the speed I'm going. Even when I'm going very slow the noise repeats quickly as if something is cycling on and off. I also checked the bearing at the diff when I had the axle shaft out and it felt fine.
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Old 06-08-2018, 12:19 PM
rangergambler rangergambler is offline
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Quote:
Originally Posted by rwenzing View Post
Wheel bearings can rumble without necessarily showing play.

Also --> Check to be sure that the short, thick caliper mount bolts did not loosen after the brake work. Check it before you drive the truck again. It is very common to under torque these bolts if tightened by "feel" alone. The initial result may be noise and vibration. Later a bolt can fall out and the caliper can pivot outward and be driven through the wheel - instant flat, destroyed wheel and possible loss of control.

Per the shop manual: the caliper mount bolts must use threadlocker AND be torqued to 85 lb-ft using a torque wrench. Ford recommends replacing the bolts whenever removed. New Ford bolts come pretreated with threadlocker.

You mean the caliper mounting bracket bolts?


Those i always use loctite and i really crank the ratchet. My 2010 2.3 those bolts have been reused on my ranger like on 4 brake jobs. Those are definetely getting replaced on its next job with OEM FORD BOLTS.
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