85 F250 front end noise

This is going to be long,but I want to be thorough. I'll break it up best I can.

My 85 Ford F250 4x4,standard transmission,lockout hubs has a noise in the front end. I don't know whether to call it a rumble or low whine. If any of you ever had an old 4x4 with 7.50 16 bias ply mud and snow tires and drove it on a paved road that was recently re tarred with new crushed stone,that's what it sounds like. It doesn't matter if the hubs are locked or unlocked.

It started early last spring but is progressively getting worse. This morning if anybody had been in the truck with me,we wouldn't have been able to have a conversation without yelling.

When it started,I thought it was an exhaust leak,but still,you can push in the clutch and let off the accelerator and the noise doesn't change at all. Soon after it started,I took the check plug out of the transmission and no oil came out. I stuck my little finger in,bent it down as far as I could reach and didn't find any. I don't remember now how much it took to fill it,but it was a pretty fair whack.

I pulled the front wheels the same day,took the calipers off,turned the rotors around with the hubs locked and unlocked. Didn't hear any grinding,scrapping or get any resistance. Haven't tried it again lately.

I did notice something this morning. I was dodging rough spots in the pavement and when I would turn right the least little bit back in to my own lane,the noise seemed to let up.

Is there an actual sealed wheel bearing in there somewhere like a front wheel drive car has? There has to be something more than just an axle and the taper bearings inside the hub doesn't there?

I have an older one with the monobeam dana 60 and the front wheels have the normal tapered wheel bearings and the axle has a small set of caged needle bearings. Sounds like wheel bearings if the noise changes when turning sharp.

GM Had a little neddle bearing on the stub shaft that went to the wheel, I cant rember if Ford had shuc a bearing. First one that went out on me I thought the front end was going out until a friend told me about the bearing and I replaced it. Toyota's had a brass bushing that is why they always said to keep them under 45MPH with the hubs locked in.
Just a couple of Ideas to think about
John

It's not necessarily when I turn sharp,but when I put a little pressure on the steering wheel to the right when I'm going down the road.

So if I take the lockout off and pull the hub off,I know there are taper bearings in the hubs. There's caged needle bearings in beyond there then?

you have to look inside the tube you unbolt when you are pulling the axel out
John

Yes, you remove the hub and rotor and then remove the knuckle. After that when you pull the axle out you should see the needle bearing inside the housing.

Are the tires wearing uneven? Like the inner or outer edges wearing away?

The caged needle bearings are in the back of the spindle. If your hubs are unlocked and you still have this noise it is probably a wheel bearing. The small needle bearing carries the short outer stub axle and only turns when the hubs are locked.

My 1988 F 250 4X4 with lock-in hubs once a day makes a clunk sound pulling up out of farm lane and turning right onto the road pavement. Hubs locked in or out, same thud. Puzzled.

Have you checked your radius arm bushings?

So you think just pull the lockouts and calipers and pull the hub and rotor then check the tapered wheel bearings? Because it's LOUD with the hubs UNlocked.

Yes pull apart and clean and check your wheel bearings for being rough and scored. be sure to pack your new bearings with plenty of grease as this is all they will get put some grease in the hub to grease the bearings over time.

Once you take it apart, it will all become clear to you. As was stated, the caged needles are probably not the problem. Change the inner and outer tapered bearings and races. Don't forget the inner seals and if you do not have one, there is a 'special' socket that will be hanging there for you to purchase. It isn't that special cause it will be under 30 bucks. Maybe even under 20.

Classic wheel bearing failure. You've already done the road test. You're lucky the newer Ford's like my F350 have expensive unit bearings.

I second the spindle bearing idea. Those frequently dry out and chew up the axle stub shaft surface. A slight side load from turning might accentuate the noise. I sell those parts and see lots of people buying spindles and stub shafts because the bearing dried out and scarred up the stub shaft. Also, the front axle u- joints are frequently neglected until they grind one cup to pieces and break apart.

Sounds like wheel bearing failure. Based on your description, I wouldn't drive it much more. Replace the races as well. If you find only one that looks bad, replace both of the them in the hub because they share the same grease.

In my opinion your noise should be coming from
the inner spindle bearings. But if it's inner
spindle/needle bearing it should make more
noise with the hubs in... This bearing is inside
the Spindle tube the drive axle comes out threw.
You still may have a Wheel Bearing issue, since
you state it changes when you swerve. Not
knowing if your truck is a 3850/4600 or 5000
pound frt axle. It may need a C6TZ3123A or D8TZ
3123a Bearing. Back in in Pa. this was a Very
Common Noise. If you run too long it will tear
up the outer stub shaft of the drive axle.
Customers would describe the noise as if they
were driving over rumble strips.. Another thing
to check is MAKE Sure when the hubs are
disengauged make sure they are truly out. BOTH
Sides. One axle still turning will make the
spider gears talk to ya.....

Ya,I've got the spanner wrench for it. I've had the truck for over 22 years. You kind of accumulate things for'em after all that time. lol
Even have an extra entire front axle and hubs for it here from a parts truck.