I am experiencing an unknown grinding scraping sound from the front of my truck. This is not a continuous sound, but seems to start when it wants to. I have had it start when I am doing 70 mph on the highway and also while coasting at 25 mph through a neighborhood.

The noise persists and a continuous level and consistency regardless of speed, and will only stop when I slow the truck down to almost a complete stop. While slowing, once I reach about 5 mph there is a cluck feeling and noise and the scraping sound reduces. Then as I almost completely stop there is a second more pronounced clunk/thud and the noise stops.

I began the other week, and I immediately took it into the shop. I recently had a warped brake disc shaved and balanced there and I was afraid that something may have come loose. But everything was as it should be, with no signs of scraping or excess wear.

I am at a loss. I am worried that it could be the diff or something even more expensive, but there are no idiot lights on no leaks or puddles on the drive way. Other than the noise, there is no other indicators that there are any issues.

Can anyone help?

I will try to get a recording of the noise next time it happens, maybe some one can help. I just need a direction to send the mechanic before I start dropping a ton of cash chasing a ghost, or worse yet have the drive train shatter or lock up while I am cruising at 70+.

Thank you for reading this and any insight that you may be able to share.

 

On my Super Duty about 2 years ago, I had this problem. It had something to do with the four wheel drive in the front end. I think it was a hub gone bad.

 

Thanks for the reply, with my truck only having 50k on it, I am a little surprised that it is having an issue, but the Alaska winters and roads can really beat up a truck. I have a bumper to bumper on it, so I guess I need to get it taken in.

 

Well, I took it to the local shop and had them do a check over, and nothing was found. All steering and drive train components seem to be working fine. While I could not get the sound to happen for them, it did occur again this morning.

I have a bumper to bumper on it, so at this moment, I will most likely keep driving it until there is a failure that I can show the mechanic. Hopefully I don't end up in the ditch or on my roof when what ever is going on happens.

Any other thoughts out there as to what might be causing this?

 

sounds like something with your 4wd. maybe a bad hub or maybe u have a bad vacume line or something like that. and its letting it try to engage and when u slow down is clunks in

 

The hubs checked out fine, no looseness or unusual play. I will check the vac lines to make sure that they are all tight. Thanks for the information

 

IWE solenoid...