Have a noise that I believe just started (possibly just noticed, but I'm pretty sure it just started...) and hoping for some tips on where I can look. I know I can drop it off at a dealer, but I'd rather have some ideas and information before. Any thoughts/feedback or ideas of what to look at, or how to isolate the noise source would be really appreciated!

Some info about the noise:
The noise is pretty faint, any conversation, music, or even A/C blowing over '3' completely obscures the noise.

The noise sounds rotational, not from the engine or transmission. The noise is related to speed, below 10MPH it is not audible, it increases in volume and 'speed' until ~45->50MPH when it's no longer audible above regular road/wind noise. But does still exist with very careful (and lucky...) listening at speeds higher than this.

Sounds most like some sort of rubbing, I don't notice any vibration with it. The sound doesn't change under braking, but does seem to be lessened when turning hard to the right. Which is where the sound seems to be coming from, sort of front passenger side. I did a visual inspection of wheel well, didn't notice anything stuck in there, or inside the wheels, but since it was late (and dark) when I noticed it I do have limited ability to see it right now.

Some info about the truck:
2016 XLT, FX4, 20 inch factory 'chrome like' PVD's. No lift/levelling kit. 1300 miles on it, driven pretty gingerly. New (53mi) as of Jan 23 2017.

 

Know it's hard to diagnose 'mystery noises'. Not just looking for answers, but any tips on how to further refine and isolate so I have something to go on. Or if there are any common issues that I may not be aware of the could cause a noise as described. Or maybe my description is pretty bad!

 

Don't discount the transfer case...sounds a lot like the rotational ticking/scraping sound many of us have had from our transfer cases. Look for the thread from numbercruncher "new transfer case needed at 800 miles" several of us have had our transfer cases rebuilt me included. There is a Special Service Message (SSM) that outlines the repair for the dealer. I'm on a new computer and lost all that information. Maybe someone could repost the SSM for you and other new folks. The repair to my transfer case did solve the problem but the dealer at first said they could not hear it and there was no problem. I had to take the shop foreman for a ride. You can't hear the sound with the truck on a lift with the drivetrain spinning and exhaust sound. Sorry for the choppy post...trying to do something else at the same time...Lou.

 

I have the same problem. Sounds like a faint clicking noise in passenger front from about 35-50 mph. Easily drowned out by low radio volume. I was told at my first oil change that it was the timing chain noise. After the first service the noise was still there. I call BS because the pitch does not change with engine RPM. If it was the timing chain I would think I could reproduce the sound sitting in my driveway, which I can't. This has to be driveline related.

 

https://www.f150forum.com/f118/2015-...-miles-302121/

This is what you guys need...welcome to the forum.

 

Went out for a drive this morning to see what I could reproduce / deduce.

This is definitely not timing chain related. I can say this because the sound is consistent with the speed of the vehicle not the speed of the motor. I went so far as to get up to 45 on a straight that has a slight decline, you can coast on it for quite awhile. I even shifted into neutral, noise didn't change, rev'd engine, noise stayed consistent regardless of RPM's (should note over about 3500 RPM's I just can't hear the noise because the engine washes it out, or at least enhanced engine sound does, can't be sure!).

I am reading through the thread of the transfer case. Thanks for the pointers and link there, a lot of good information in the first few pages, still digesting it!

 

I have the same transfer case clicking noise - I've been to 3 dealers and all three claim they can't hear anything and that there's nothing wrong - even when I show them the SSM.

I'm about to try a 4th pretty soon - I'm hoping for the best this one will be more help.

 

I had to show them the SSM for them to even take me serious. My wife was with me and she opened up a can on them...she doesn't back down which is a good thing as long as it's not at me..LOL I don't remember if the SSM is somewhere in that thread, hopefully someone will post it for you. I've got a 15 Supercab 5.0 XL 4x4.