After replacing my hub/bearing, I've gotten rid of the roar, but I still have a rythmic mechanical noise coming from the same area. After replacing the hub, it seems like it would be easy to just remove the half shaft and drive the truck to see if it eliminates the noise. It doesn't look like the hub needs the shaft for support. Would it hurt the truck to this? It would be a lot cheaper than buying a new half shaft and finding out the problem is still there.

If I can't pinpoint the noise, I'm just going to keep driving the thing until something breaks. Then I'll know exactly what to fix. The only problem with that plan is that the sound will likely drive me nuts long before it breaks.

2000 F150 4X4

 

no you can not take the half shaft off, the shafts splined end goes threw the hub and brake disk and holds everything together, it sounds to me like you have a bad half shaft, does it make i tikinf clunking type of noise that changes or gets worse when you make turns? i would replace the half shaft they only run about $100 with a lifetime warenty. good luck

 

The noise doesn't really change as I turn, nor does it get worse when I engage 4wd. I had a friend turn in circles in a parking lot and I couldn't hear anything then either. The sound is kinda like a broken belt, but a bit heavier and a bit more mechanical in sound. I've rotated tires and still have the sound.

BTW, the spline doesn't touch the break disk at all. It's only held by the wheel studs. However, it is what torques the bearings down. I have no clue why I didn't think about that before posting. That makes me wonder if I could take an old half shaft spline taken apart at the CV joint and bolt the thing together long enough for a test run.

 

Im in the same boat...let me know if you figure it out...mine is a 99 Flareside 4x4 Lariat

 

I'm not sure if the halfshafts are equal lenght on both sides, but if they are you can switch them and see if the noise changes sides.

 

yes you can take the splined end from an old CV shaft and run it to test, and the splined end doesnt touch the disk but it does hold the hub together and the hub holds the disk on, if you run it without the splined end nothing will be holding the tire on but the brake caliper

 

i know in my 2001 the left and right half shaft are the same part number

 

They should be the same in a 2000 then also. Try swapping the axleshafts and see if the noise changes sides. If it does then you need a new axle. If not then it's something else.

Something that has been quite a problem on my 2002 is the bottom bolts holing the front shocks on keep coming loose. I've had to replace 3 of them already and they just keep coming loose, no matter how much I tighten them. If yours is loose then it will rattle around every time you hit the slightest bump.