Ok guys, just wanna make sure of this! I have been hearing a humming/roaring noise going down the road on my 04 F150 2WD! Its sounds like I have mudd grips and the sound varies with speed! Most guys say this is the bearings in the front rotors and it all comes as one unit( buying new rotors) Will bad bearings make this noise cause I pulled the front wheels this weekend and didn't feel any play in the rotors or didnt hear the noise when I spun the rotors, but the noise is still present!I wouldn't think its the rear end?? Just wanted to make sure before I spend the $$$ on new rotors, don't know what else it could be, maybe its because they are dry and the grease has seaped out of them?! Thanks again for the help!

 

Usually, a front bearing will increase in noise as you go around a hard curve or corner. You also can usually feel a slight vibration in the steering wheel when you turn.

 

If you have grease seaping out of a sealed bearing its bad.

 

also if your front rotors are less than a year old you can have them warrantied out so it wont cost you anything for the new bearings.

 

Well I didn't take off the spindlenut but I could look around the outside of it and it appeared to be some kinda black grease, not alot, I just thought if wheel bearings were out, you would have play in the rotors when you grab them and shake it, but, I guess also if they are dry and they will make noise also, like I said...it sounds EXACTLY like mudd grip tires going down the road and the noise goes down when I decelerate and up or constant while going down the road. Guess I'll try the rotors, they were last replaced at the end of 2007 so they are out of warranty and they were "Brakebest" from Orielly.

BTW: Can I break the spindlenut loose with sheer manpower because I do not have an impact wrench?

 

If you can see any of the grease seeping thats your culprit. I had the same thing about two months ago. You can with a breaker bar and some gruntin.

 

Thanks guys!! So Michael you truck was making the same sounds, like mudd tires roaring down the road? I noticed that today its a real steady sound at about 50Mph!!

 

Actually mine drove and sounded perfect. I noticed mine when I was turning tight circles at boat ramp fixing to unload. Maybe mine was the very beginning stages of it going bad.

 

Guys...just wanted to say thanks for all your help on this matter!! Bought my new rotors and went home and put them on yesterday and I was amazed, the noise was gone and truck rides alot better, no more howling noises!!! It was pretty simple, just sucks that this is a one piece unit! Also it sucked that Autozone busted me 20 bucks to rent a 36mm socket!!! Sure enough when I looked on their shelf the biggest they had for purchase was a "35mm" Hmmm, you think they had that planned! LOL!!!! Anyways...

 

If you keep your truck its really not a bad one to have in your tool box. Never now when you just might have to take it back off to work on the brakes. Anyways glad everything went good and you are up and running again. I recommend keeping your old rotors. At some time the bearings are to be released for purchase but its just not clear on exactly when. When that is the case you can buy the bearing press it in and good to go.

 

Micheal, I had that same thought, so I kept them and stored em under my workbench!

 

Glad that solved your problem. I always hate to spend that much money, but if it solves the problem, I don't feel so badly. Spending the money, time, and effort and the problem is still there, that is a real downer!

 

Bluejay- Isn't that the song of about half of the DIY's. It's a woeful song alright. :o