Hello all,

I have a 93 f-150. I have noticed a rubbing/grinding noise seems like from the front left. I have narrowed down the possible issue to bearing or some kind of joint. I have jacked the truck up and tried to move the wheel to test bearing doesnt feel loose but i am not that great with mechanical skills. I did try to spin the tire and seem to hear the rubbing noise as well. I have also heard a popping noise when turning and it is a little difficult to control when driving feels like it is moving all over the road and i am fighting it.

Any help would be greatly appreciated.

 

Describing symptoms is very hard to do. Don't get discouraged, its quite possible the noise heard is unrelated to the difficulty in control. With engine off, how much movement is there in the steering wheel. 1/2 to 1" movement is probably normal, 2 or more needs attention. Have an assistant move wheel back and forth and you look at all the connecting linkage from gear boxes pitman arm to the tie rod ends attached to the wheels. Another item to check is the rag joint, it connects the steering column shaft to the steering gear box.

 

Thank you I will try. I am hoping that it is something inexpensive to repair bought the truck for winter use/work truck so hopefully will have time this summer to get it fixed

 

Take it slow and easy, most shops cover their *** quoting expensive repairs fixing everything that could be wrong, patience will find the cause and you still will have money in the bank. Keep asking your questions, someone will find the cure.

 

If its grind in motion then its something rotating, not likely a joint. Sometimes a bad bearing will act diffent without the load of the truck pressing on it and spinning, compared to being jack up with only the static weight of the wheel riding on it while spinning. A bad bearing can also cause steering issues to develop quickly.

 

Well I took the truck and had it checked out today, and found out that the ball joints, and bearing are fine. I did however findout the rotars need to be replaced and also the right and left front axle joints?? My question is when they say sxle joint are they referring to the U-joint because they did say the typical cost of them is around $20 each?

 

Never heard of U-joints being called axle joints but who knows could be.

 

They probably do need replaced if they haven't been by now. That should only be relvant when you are driving in 4x4 and the front driveshaft is turning, and hubs are locked in. I can't see why that would have caused the noise you are describing in 2wd.

If the rotors need replaced, and you have replaced brake pads not to long ago, it could be that one of the calipers are sticking causing the brake to stay partially enganged, which would also explain a feeling of steering irregularity with one side stuck, and one not. I'm Just speculating though...

 

Thanks for the help guys. The noise I was hearing seemed to be coming from a metal plate on the back of the right front tire that was rubbing or I should say still is rubbing but from what i can tell it is not needed since the left front doesnt have it so i mave have them remove it as well. Also an exhaust problem was found that i had no clue i had either.