Just got a 2003 f150 super crew, love the truck, but there is this noise that worries me... When I test drove the vehicle around the block a few times I just assumed it was normal tire noise from a bigger truck with bigger tires.

However, the more I drive it the more I notice it, and since it has normal stock tires on it (not crazy big off road tread or anything like that) I'm not sure why they should make any noise at all.

I don't hear anything weird until I get up to around 20mph, and then around 35-40 I am going fast enough to where it just blends in with regular road/wind/engine noise. But when I am hearing it within that 20-35mph range, it is a very consistent hum hum hum hum hum.... It sounds as though it is happening with every revolution of the wheels, it slows down and speeds up with my speed (within the 20-35mph range, that is). The noise does not seem to get louder or softer or change as I turn corners. There is no pulsating in the brake pedal...brakes feel great. I cannot seem to feel the noise through my hands or feet, only hear it.

Any thoughts???

 

What kind of tires are they? How worn are they?

Sounds like tire hum to me, but hard to say without knowing what they are..

 

OK so I took it to the dealer and they said that it is definitely a wheel bearing noise...but he also said that they would need to do a diagnosis to determine which wheel it is, and said it could cost as much as $500 to repair.

So my questions now are, how much could it cost to repair myself, how do I determine which wheel it is, and can I repair it myself?

I am fairly good with mechanically, but I read somewhere that you have to have a shop "press in" the new bearings??

I noticed both front wheels feel warm to the touch after driving a couple miles, is this normal? I imagine the next step is to jack up the front and spin the wheels, and hopefully one is noisy...after that I'm not sure how else to pinpoint which wheel it is.

Are there any serious consequences of putting this repair off? The noise is starting to get to me, I've only had the truck for a few weeks now but still...Can't tell if its getting worse or if I just notice more every time I drive!

 

I just paid about $300 to have one replaced on our Expedition. A dealership will be the most expensive place to have the work done. I didn't catch mine for a while (wife drives the Expy) so my tires are now a little cupped out, enough that they are louder than the Terra Grapplers on my Ram.

 

the wheel bearing will be a hub bearing (no pressing involved) quite simple to do ...best way is to jack up the truck under each lower control and see if there is movement and spinning the wheel to hear any noise....if everything came apart nicely (which it never does) I would say 2.0hrs tops to replace

 

OK so is the hub bearing likely to be the ONLY thing that needs replaced, or might there be other parts involved?

BTW, are there any particular repair manuals that you guys like to recommend?

Thanks!