Hey gang, first post here but I'm needing some ideas as to what is causing an issue I am having. My vehicle specs are a 2003 f150 5.4 v8 4 wheel drive.

The problem is a grinding noise when I turn left. It doesn't do it all the time. I originally thought it was the CV joint so I just went ahead ahd replaced the entire CV axle. I also put a new stabalizer link in since I had to cut the old one out to get the old CV axle out. I though it had fixed it because it went about 30 miles without making the noise again but then it was back. It kind of did it that way before. One day it wouldn't make much of a noise and the next it would every time I turned left at a slow speed. When I say slow speed, I mean anything under 30ish.

I'm all ears...er eyes..on this one. Any help that can be given will be much appreciated. Thanks.

S. Thorne

 

Sounds like a wheel/hub bearing

 

I was thinking about the hub bearing being the issue..

I've always been under the impression that when the wheel bearing starts to go, it doesn't take long at all for it to go out. This has been a problem I've had for 3 months or so now. Then again, I'm not mechanically inclined so perhaps it is the wheel bearing.

 

Jack each side up and test movement of the wheel by grabbing bottom and top.
Watch the brake disc for attempted movement 'within' the caliper.
If yes the bearing pack is bad.
The caliper mount is bolted to the spindle.
If the bearing pack has gone to a lot of movement, the disc moves within the brake pads.
If left long enough something wears to a rubbing situation since the caliper to disc relationship normally does not change unless the bearing pack goes bad.
The bearing pack is bolted in from the back side of the spindle.
Good luck

 

my 05 did the same thing. it was embarassing as hell when it would grind so loud that nearby pedestrians would look at it like it was a bucket! but i heard it was the wheel bearing as well, and when i got new rotors up front, which obviously had new bearings as well, the noise went away

 

It's nowhere near that bad. I'm not sure a pedestrian walking by could hear it and it only does it half the time. It never does it over 20-30 mph. Turning into parking lots, in the driveway, etc are the times it happens.

I noticed no looseness in the hub when changing the cv axel but I can jack it up and give it and the bearing a test. It could be something simply rubbing when the tire is at a certain angle. It does have a 2 inch liftkit on it. I've looked for any signs of rubbing and cant find anything. Or it could be the internal bearing on the other side of the cv axel. I was just hoping maybe there was something I was overlooking or not thinking about.

As I said previously, I know a wheel bearing will gradually get worse or can get worse immediately and I know the sounds those going out make. I don't know what a hub bearing going out sounds like but it shouldn't be too different. This problem stays neutral. It hasn't gotten worse to this point and it's been a few months. I couldn't tell you how long it had been doing it before that because I didn't have it before that.

@Bluegrass - I did the wheel movement test while changing cv axel and the spinning test and all that and it was fine but ya never know which is why I brought up the bearings. The caliper and pads and the assembly looked and functioned fine. I may need to try something to test the internal bearings on the other end of the axel.

If there are any other ideas, I'd be greatful to hear them and appreciate the ones already given.

 

The bearing Pack is an assembly within it's own housing that is seperate from the spindle . If either outer or inner bearing assembly has an issue you will hear it/see it from the outside.
Well anyways, good luck.

 

Right, and if either are bad, they'll make a noise when you spin them. If good, they'll stay silent. Everything I tried as far as spinning goes stayed silent. There was no looseness in the push and pull test. I dunno man, I'm just lost. If it's not that and it's not the hub bearing or the calipers/warped rotor and I replaced the CV axel, what's left?

 

Guys, I got it figured out. Im out some money but at least it's fixed. The issue was the tire rubbing against the inside wall. I was able to get someone watch it as I turned left and it was hitting it at certain angles. Wasted money on a CV axel but I guess I have a spare now lol. It's one of those things that makes yourself feel pretty stupid. Oh well. Live and learn. Appreciate all the suggestions from before.

 

D'oh! haha i wish i took more time to figure it out on my 05.. mine was the same thing, when i turned into parking lots or anything it would grind very loud, and people in the parking lot could definitely hear it. good thing u got it all figured out