F-150 - Squeak/squeal at certain speeds

[Sho'Nuff]

Hi All - About 5 months ago I purchased a 2003 Ford F-150 Lariat (5.4L). The truck is in generally excellent condition, but lately I've noticed a weird squeak/squeal (sounds like an extended wooooooooooooooooooooo) when at certain speeds. The sound universally occurs when the truck is traveling at about 10MPH and at (precisely) 55-56 MPH. Very weird. Braking is clean (no squeaks), alignment is perfect, etc. The car was inspected by a ford dealer shortly after I bought it and it came back clean. No issues with the the tie rods, control arms, or anything wheel related. So I'm not sure what is causing the issue.

I'm thinking it might be a bad wheel bearing, but my impression is that if that was the case it would be squealing at all speeds. Any chance it could just be the tires? This is the first truck I have owned, so I have no idea whether it is normal for truck tires to make weird sounds at certain speeds.

Any ideas?

I know I should just take it to a shop, but figured someone here might have clue as to what it might be beforehand. In my experience it is always good to come in to a garage with some knowledge, so that you can avoid some of the BS. I also don't want to go to a shop and have it turn out to be something as simple as the tires.

 

[Sluggo]

Sounds like a brake wear indicator.

 

[monkeydelmagico]

Harmonics in the drivetrain can be a PITA to find/resolve. Is it coming from the rear? My first guess is rear diff. Is it 4x4? If so, when's the last time you had it in 4wd low?

 

[Sho'Nuff]

Harmonics in the drivetrain can be a PITA to find/resolve. Is it coming from the rear? My first guess is rear diff. Is it 4x4? If so, when's the last time you had it in 4wd low?

It is a 4X4. My guess is that it has been in 4WD Low maybe once or twice in 10+ years. I had it in 4WD a few months ago when I picked up some scrap wood from a local mill. Had to slog through some pretty deep (~16") mud.

Sound is not localized and is really hard to pinpoint from in the cab, and I can't get out of the cab to hear it because it only occurs at speed. It does not sound like its coming from the rear.

 

[Sho'Nuff]

Sounds like a brake wear indicator.

Not ruling out the possibility, but when the car was inspected the report indicated that the brakes were almost new. Which was expected as the prior owner said he had the brakes replaced within the prior year.

 

[Sluggo]

Does it happen on acceleration as well as deceleration (not braking)?

The brake wear indicator whine will immediately stop if you lightly apply the brakes while driving.

 

[monkeydelmagico]

If you think it might be tires then it's easy to swap around to see if that makes audible difference.

One method I've used to isolate drivetrain noise is the scoot under with a can of white lithium grease and shoot a little at one spider or yolk at a time. Just a little so you don't wash out the heavier grease. One at a time until you pinpoint the offender or rule out the driveline. After that it would be on to wheel bearing re-pack depending on how annoying the noise was.

 

[Sho'Nuff]

Does it happen on acceleration as well as deceleration (not braking)?

The brake wear indicator whine will immediately stop if you lightly apply the brakes while driving.

Come to think of it, the sound only happens when I have my foot lightly on the gas pedal - e.g., to maintain speed.

 

[Sho'Nuff]

If you think it might be tires then it's easy to swap around to see if that makes audible difference.

One method I've used to isolate drivetrain noise is the scoot under with a can of white lithium grease and shoot a little at one spider or yolk at a time. Just a little so you don't wash out the heavier grease. One at a time until you pinpoint the offender or rule out the driveline. After that it would be on to wheel bearing re-pack depending on how annoying the noise was.

Yeah I could swap the tires around, but I would prefer to avoid that as I do not have a garage big enough for the truck and would have to flip the tires in the (rapidly worsening) New England winter. And if it is just the tires, then I have no issue leaving the issue until next year when it warms up.

 

[Sho'Nuff]

Sorry to bump a dead thread, but thought I would update this as I recently had the squeak diagnosed. Turned out my front brake rotors were badly rusted and were contacting some part of the wheel. Got the rotors replaced and voila! No more squeak at any speed.

 

[monkeydelmagico]

Cheap and easy for the win

 

[foghorn67]

Sorry to bump a dead thread, but thought I would update this as I recently had the squeak diagnosed. Turned out my front brake rotors were badly rusted and were contacting some part of the wheel. Got the rotors replaced and voila! No more squeak at any speed.

right on.