So here is my issue..

I have a 2014 Fx4 only has 9,000km on it. I just recently had my local ford dealership install a 2.5" autospring level for me, and install 285/65R20 TKO. (Biggest nightmare in history) long story short. I got about 500 meters from the place and all hell broke loose. They forgot to tighten the caliper bolt.(was nowhere to be found when the incident occurred) Luckily the truck is fine and I am fine. Very scary. Anyways they refunded everything and replaced the wheel/break assembly.

Fast forward 3 weeks. (Presently 600km later)

We had some snow recently and I was in 4wd no issues whatsoever. I come out of 4wd back into 2wd the next morning. And I hear this howling noise coming from the front driver side, the faster I go, the louder it gets. When I engage 4wd the noise disappears. I brought it to a different ford dealership. As I am never going back to the one by my place. So they road tested it and said its a wheel bearing. Does this possibly make sense? I originally thought it had to do with the IWE.

My concern is that with my level and 285/65r20 tkos. I find the ride quality way harsher then I would have expected and I'm second guessing my tires choice. Is it possible that the tires already destroyed a front bearing in less then 600 km? Or is it just a faulty bearing?

Also if anybody has any pictures of their trucks with 275/60R20 with a level. Would they mind posting. I am in a huge debate of dropping out of a LT tire. But worried it will look funny because of the 2.5" level


Sorry for the long read. Just really hoping to get some advice from everyone. And not have any remorse about my truck.

Eric

 

it should not be the wheel bearing. even with heavier tires the torsion angle has not changed. with different offset wheels or spacers then i could possibly see it, but not this quickly. the key is the 4wd kicking i and taking the sound away. sounds like the hub assembly needs to be replaced, not the bearing. but that is if the IWE hose is not either plugged, torn, or pulled off.

regarding the tires, yeah the stiffer tires do ruin the ride on top of the level ruining the ride. you could look into the nitto terra grapplers in 120, not 121. SHOULD be better.

 

I'm running 20x8.5 with +35 offset. So quite mild. I'm not very familiar with Nitto's. What does "120/121" mean? I really wanted duratracs. Was thinking 275/60r20. Or 285/60r20. But don't know if my ride quality will improve with the second ones as they are an Lt

 

the nittos in 305/55-20 come in a 120s and 121s. the 121 is a 10ply truck tire, while the 120 is the more traditional 3 ply 'd presume the 3 ply is going to be smoother.

but just look at all the tires you are looking at for load rating and construction. if they are 10 ply, there will be no improvement

 

Sorry about your luck...

What I can add is that 275/60-20's do not (in my opinion) look funny with a 2.5" Level....

Detail are in my signatures.

 

I say it's the IWE

 

I remember hearing someone else on here with the same howling issue. If I remember correctly, once they figured out the issue it was an easy fix. You might want to search around on here a little and see if you can find that thread.

You may find it difficult to have another shop fix this issue that someone else created. I'd go back to the guys who installed the level, and make them fix the problem they made.

 

I found the thread on a guy with this same issue.

It says
"Problem has been fixed. After taking the hub off it was found that the IHE actually broke at he gear mesh portion. Replaced passenger IHE and issue is resolved"

The tread is titled
2014 F150 XLT 4x4 issue
Look it up, hope this helps

 

^^^ ihe = iwe

 

X3
IWE actuator