Grinding Noise in the Front End
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Grinding Noise in the Front End
I have an 07 f-150 and heard some grinding noises coming from what sounds like the front end yesterday. I heard it 3 or 4 times over the course of about an hour and a half while driving home, each time would last 5 or 6 seconds. It seemed to happen at random (meaning it didn't come about when braking. turning, accelerating, etc). Does anyone have an idea on what it might be?
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From: Joplin MO
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From: In the fast lane from LA to Tokyo...
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I've been fighting the same thing for a couple months - Just figured it out. 
(Besides replacing Hub Vacuum and checking the lines for holes)
Part needed was.... 2004-2011 Ford F-150 F 150 4x4 Hub Lock Actuator IWE
http://www.ebay.com/itm/2004-2011-Fo...#ht_3067wt_982
What had happened was water was getting sucked into the system by the hub vacuum, which is brilliantly located by the firewall of the truck - directly UNDER WHERE ALL THE WATER RUNS OFF THE WINDSHEILD! Really!
So over time water had got into the Actuator and displaced it enough that the shaft wouldn't go into the hub straight. Hence the horrible teeth grinding noise. Also explains when on cold days it was worse because the water in the actuator would freeze and compound the problem, and when I would back up it would reset it self - and when i would then drive forward it would try to engage because of the displacement of the actuator!
Hope this helps, it was very frustrating process.
(Besides replacing Hub Vacuum and checking the lines for holes)
Part needed was.... 2004-2011 Ford F-150 F 150 4x4 Hub Lock Actuator IWE
http://www.ebay.com/itm/2004-2011-Fo...#ht_3067wt_982
What had happened was water was getting sucked into the system by the hub vacuum, which is brilliantly located by the firewall of the truck - directly UNDER WHERE ALL THE WATER RUNS OFF THE WINDSHEILD! Really!
So over time water had got into the Actuator and displaced it enough that the shaft wouldn't go into the hub straight. Hence the horrible teeth grinding noise. Also explains when on cold days it was worse because the water in the actuator would freeze and compound the problem, and when I would back up it would reset it self - and when i would then drive forward it would try to engage because of the displacement of the actuator!
Hope this helps, it was very frustrating process.
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Vaccum Hose leak due to battery replacement
The front hubs on a 2008 F150 4wd are controled by vaccum. I started having a grinding like tin on the pavement or a chunk of ice rubbing. It would come and go but would not happen when in 4wd. It started happening after I had a new battery installed.
At any rate there is a very small vaccum line next to the battery towards the firewall. The tech had snagged it when putting the battery in. Repaired the nick and no more grinding. Apparently the the hubs were trying to engage and were grinding. No I just hope no damage was done to the hubs.
At any rate there is a very small vaccum line next to the battery towards the firewall. The tech had snagged it when putting the battery in. Repaired the nick and no more grinding. Apparently the the hubs were trying to engage and were grinding. No I just hope no damage was done to the hubs.
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