N3UP

Has anyone had a wheel bearing fail? If so, what were the warning signs?

My truck has started making a squealing noise that sounds like a belt slipping, and it comes and goes.
It seems to be on the right side, but I can't tell if it's front or rear.

I've been on a vacation trip and I've noticed that it has been happening more frequently lately. It seemed to only start a low speeds (30-40 mph) but I have heard it now at 50-60.

It is road speed related (it changes pitch or goes away as I slow down) so I'm sure it's something in the driveline.

I have noticed that it will usually only when moving (not from a standing start) and when it is squealing, a stop will make it stop. It has also started while in motion, and stopped while in motion.

I don't think it's the transfer case because it seems to be louder on the right side. I'm not hearing any rumble or grinding noises...yet.

I have never had a rear axle bearing failure on any vehicle, could that be the culprit?

I'm really hoping that it's a front bearing as those are easier to change...

Any thoughts from the great minds of the forum??

97 F150 SCAB XLT 4X4 4.6L Auto 3.55LS
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WI4x4

My truck makes the same noise. I first started hearing it at low speeds at the beginning of spring when I had the windows rolled down. So I asked my neighbor who's a Ford mechanic about it because I thought it might be a bad wheel bearing too from the front right side. He said that it's pretty rare for a bearing to fail (at least on our year F150s) and said it was something that might need to be cleaned up front, I forget exactly what he said but I'll ask him again tomorrow. It sounds annoying but I've just been living with the noise because as far as I can remember it isn't a serious problem.

jhelrey

Had it on a Honda Civic... Hums and gets faster with speed.

Good old Bill

Drop the drive shaft and move each of the u-joints. Should be smooth in operation with out any tight spots or excessive play.

WI4x4

Just an update- I jacked up all four tires on my truck with the help of my neighbor, I put in drive with the 4wd engaged to get it to start making that "whining" noise. He sprayed the seals where the CV boot meets the front hubs with a super lubricant with teflon and the noise has went away at least for now. This is only a temporary solution, but replacing the CV boots with updated ones would be the permanent one. Hope this helps.

Good old Bill

Very good, nice trouble shooting, keep us posted.

N3UP

The noise is a squeal, kind like a belt slipping but not as loud, or like tires would make when you make a hard turn on a steel plate.

I have heard it start while moving at about 40mph or so then stop after a while.

I put on about 1000 miles over the last few days on vacation, and it has tended to go on longer when it starts.

The seal issue seems like a logical suspect since turning, braking or acceleration have no effect on the noise, only road speed.

I will check ujoints, but it's not the usual chirp-chirp associated with ujoints, and accel or coast has no effect.

I was worried about it because over the last few days on the trip it seemed to persist longer each day, but it was never continuious.

I'm puzzled......

WI4x4

Yeah you are right the noise was more of squeal that changed pitch with how fast you were going. The way you describe it sounds exactly like the noise my truck was making.

brianost

I have the same type of noise on my '08. I have chassis ears and hear it loudest around the transfer case.

4dtuff

my 97 had all these symptoms, it is the wheel bearing, easiest way to check is to jack up front and grab top and bottom of wheel and rock it, there will be play in it if it gets too bad. These trucks arent as cheap to replace wheel bearing on since you have to change the whole spindle, bearing is not replacable, good luck!