bjohns7778

Dealership seems to be throwing darts... I suspect some of you guys are better dart throwers than they are so I thought I'd hit you up for help.

2010 SuperCab XLT 4x4

When I first start driving in cold weather I sometimes get a grinding, humming noise that I can feel in the floor and usually comes and goes somewhat. After a couple of miles it mostly goes away. Engage 4hi and it completely goes away. When it is making noise it feels like there is a bit of drag being created also. Jiggling the wheel from left to right or driving over bumps makes it go away momentarily.

I think it sounds/feels like it is coming from the front but dealership now says they think it sounds more like it is from the rear.

So far dealership has changed the front passenger side wheel bearing, replaced the hub/IWE on the same wheel, and machined the rear brakes. They seem to be clueless but are supposed to put it on the rack and use stethescopes to try to track down the noise today.

I am thinking based on the symptoms it would be in the front end. Field service engineer rode along with me last week and the vehicle was already warm so I couldn't recreate the noise. I did question him about a pulsing humming noise at highway speed that started around the same time and I originally mistook for tire noise until I noticed that it also goes away when 4hi is engaged. He claims it is normal pinion gear noise that may be made worse by replacing the pinion gear.

Anybody care to take a guess?

Thanks guys and gals.

mrpositraction

you have a vacuum leak when it is cold on the hub (or vacuum lines to) for 4WD. Take some small zip ties and follow the vacuum line on each side and put the zip ties at each connection point.

Case of beer it goes away

bjohns7778

They already tested vacuum, found it wasn't holding, and replaced the right front hub which in their words was "broken". Surely after replacement they would have rechecked the vacuum system right? Maybe not?

mrpositraction

Right, but as it warms up vacuum sounds like it is restored. Could it be after replacement, the truck was in the shop warming up, they replaced, rechecked everything was good. Sent you on the way. I bet when you picked up the truck it didn't make the noise, then possibly the next morning it returned?

EDIT: Reason I bring up the vacuum lines is I had a very similar problem on my 07. One hub was hanging up and I was able to figure out it was vacuum by disconnecting the other side. It ended up being the module (which Ford replaced out of warranty free of charge). Also in my dealings with taking the hubs apart for lift kits I am surprised more don't leak, there isn't much seal on them, but they seem to work 99% of the time.

bjohns7778

Thanks for the help. The truck has been back in there for over a week and they don't seem to have a clue. I will ask if they have rechecked the vacuum when it is cold.

Vandicate

torque converter, perhaps loose bolts on the housing for it. my 2 cents.

Rdgallo

Does anyone know what the resolution was for this issue.

FordService

Are you currently experiencing this, Rdgallo? Please send along some details, including your model year and current mileage; I'm happy research available options!

Brittany

szickermann

Brittany: I am having the same problem on my 2-13 Ford 150 Lariat. I live in MN and it is about 4 below today. When I start driving the truck it feels like the brakes are on and won't let go...it just produces a low grinding sound. I brought the truck in twice to Ford at the end of last winter for the same problem. They said they adjusted the brakes and recut the rotors. At the time I only had about 8000 miles on the truck but it wasn't really cold again so I couldn't tell if they fixed it. Now it is very cold again and the problem is back but even worse. I am sure by the time I can get the truck back in the temp will have gone up and they will claim again that there is no problem with the brakes...or whatever the problem is. If you can help me also I would appreciate it.

FordService

Thanks for posting about this, szickermann. I'm happy to help! What I suggest is that you schedule an upcoming appointment with your local dealer for diagnosis; feel free to use this tool to get started.

Once you've done that, please fill me in with the current mileage on your truck. I'll research any additional options.

Brittany