Hey guys,

New to your site and see alot of good information here. I bought an 06excab 4x4 with the 5.4 few months ago 51k miles. Developed what I thought was a bad belt, screamin squeel almost chattering. Replaced the belt and the grooved idler over the power steering pump and well its still there. Not at idle, not in park, starts about 25mph and continues until I let off the accelerator. Basically its only when under power, my next guess is the power steering pump as I have listened to all of the remaining pulleys and everything seems to be in order. It can be really loud and very annoying. I really do not want to replace part by part until I find it or not. Would appreciate any help or advice.

Thanks in advance...

 

My be a long shot but check your u joints in the rear drive shaft. If it only happens while the truck is moving it sounds like you have a dry joint. You may have to pull the shaft to find it. I've seen them where they feel tight but they are dry. The noise can also travel up the shaft (if that makes sense) and sound like it's coming from the front of the truck.

 

Everything sounds like its coming from the left portion of the engine compartment. Even have had two others drive it and listen with the same answers.

 

Have you tried spraying some "stop squeak" belt spray on it yet? I used to do this on an old Jeep I had when I had a belt squeal. It's cheap at the auto parts shop.

 

Havent put the belt dressing on it, sprayed it with some water to see if it would do it while in park and it wont. Thats the thing, it will not act up until I am putting power to it in gear......

 

Well, I'm guessing it's not your power steering because that typically squeals when turning the steering wheel too far. Make sure your A/C is off just to rule that out. Then what's left on the belt? The alternator. The water pump. Maybe a the fan. I haven't been under the hood of my truck much yet, so this is coming from my mechanic experience. Keep us posted on your findings.

 

Does the noise change with the speed of the truck?

 

Louder when I accelerate and quieter when I slow. Thing is its not completely a squeel, its almost a chatter or rattle combined with the squeel. When I get next to another car or barrier it totally drives me nuts. And again only while I am driving, cannot replicate sitting in park...........

 

OK so my mechanic at work says its rotational and probably in the front wheel somewhere, maybe somethin hangin in the rotor.....

 

Have you looked at the front brakes? Shield rubbing on rotor or wear indicator on the pad rubbing? Does the noise sound like a bird chirping and gets faster with speed turning into a squeal? If so I'm still betting it's in a joint.