Hi all,

I have a problem tht I've been trying to track down and haven't been able figure it out. I have a 2012 Platinum, and in inconsistent, unrepeatable fashion, I have a grinding/whirring noise that comes from what I think is the right front passenger wheel. It's hard to explain, but it sounds like something is binding, or if you were rolling down the highway with really bald tires. It only happens when I turn slightly right and speed drops gradually from 30 MPH down (for example, if I'm slowing down to turn right into a residential neighborhood street).

I've had it in to the dealer three times, and only once have I gotten it to reproduce - it barely did and it wasn't with a tech, it was with a customer greeter/representative. I thought it was a bad wheel bearing, but every time the "master" technicians have told me that it's normal noise. I disagree because it didn't make this noise the first 5000 or miles that I've had the truck.

Bonus points, it appears to only make the noise when it's cold outside (ie Minnesota winters) because I haven't been able to reproduce it after it's warmed up. Does anyone have any insight on what could be causing this? It's driving me mad!

Thanks!

 

My 2 cents...Your 4wd hub is not completely disengaging. The Hubs are vaccum controlled on the modern f150s. Vaccum holds the hub disengaged. loss of vaccum will engage them. partial loss of vaccum due to a small leak will partially engage them and cause a grinding noise.

Try engaginging 4wd and see if the sound goes away. If it does well, there's your problem. Your hub is not retracting due to loss/leak in vaccum line or it is binding up and cannot fully retract. Metal shavings will be present if hub is opened. If I recall there were a rash of '11s that had this problem.

Disclaimer: I am not a mechanic, I only "stupervise" a drinking water plant.

 

Great advice. So is there a test the dealer can do to check for vacuum loss to the hub? And would it be reproducible every time - I'd think not since this doesn't always occur.

 

They can check for vaccum at the hub...but it will be a "static check" only (and your truck will be nice and warm already after having driven there). During winter months only, I have had my vaccum booster pump come on multiple time (on my "old" '11) so i know temperature can effect things on the truck.

Not sure if you can monitor this with the Torque app or not while your diving. If it was my truck i would really try to get them to disassemble that hub and have a looksy.

 

Hi Furynation.

I'd like to help with this concern. Can you PM me your name, phone number, VIN, mileage, and dealer info? I'll take a look at how I can best assist.

Ashley

 

I'm taking it to the dealer I bought it from tomorrow, instead of the very unhelpful local Ford dealer. Hopefully they can get me fixed up! Understand it's hard to diagnose a problem that's not reproducible all the time though.

 

I had to beg the dealership to run a vacuum test on it. They found an obstruction in the vacuum line which they cleared out.

Thanks for the help!

 

Thanks for the info. Mine does the same thing however, it will do it warm or cold. I said the same thing "sounds like a bad bearing" It started at around 1200 miles coincidentally after the first time I used t 4wd. Mine stops below 20 mph and the dealer said it was air coming through my vents.

 

Glad I could help.

 

Wow... great description of the issue and probable cause guys!!! This is exactly my issue after having the front left side CV half-shaft replaced (torn rubber boots) by an independent repair shop. I'm guessing they "jammed" in the CV half-shaft to the front hub and created a partial vacuum leak!

Im taking it to my local Ford dealer to have them troubleshoot... and once this issue is documented and repaired, I'm going back to that IRS to talk with the owner about compensation!