Help! Driving back home last night my 99 4x4 SRW and my front end starts making a horrible howling noise. I know i have a busted u joint on my pass side but that only makes a popping sound not this howling that gets louder the faster i go. I got no lift and the last time i checked my wheel bearings were good. i have manual lockable hubs. what should i do, what should i check out, where can i get u joints for the axle that don't cost $75 (napa)? thanks.

 

jack up the front end spin your tires check your brakes should be able to tell with the front wheels up by feel and sounds

 

kinda sounds like a wheel bearing to me.

 

As you are driving in a straight line sway the truck back and forth slightly to see if the tone changes,that should pinpoint the side if it is a wheel bearing.If you have access to a hoist and a stethoscope it would help too.

 

no change of tone when i do this. is there an inner bearing for the 4wd system that could get seized up? because even with my driver side hub unlocked the shaft wont spin freely.
hope that helps.

 

yeah something sounds locked up. the front drive shaft while out of 4wd should move freely. Fords the only one that does that other trucks the front shaft moves with the rear even in 2wd. My buddy went to napa for u joints on his f150 and they were 35 a peice their are two in the rear.

 

You can check Summit Racing for joints, most are decent in price. Is it an early or late '99, the manufacture date dictates price ($100-300 difference). I have 1 going as well, but I'll drive it til it dies, over $700 to do both. I suggest checking the seal on the short shafts first (where shaft enters rear of hub), had drivers side go out a year ago, made ALOT of noise.

 

That sound interesting ( the seal part). do you have any pictures of what a bad seal and a good one look like because both sides look similar and i would like to know how to identify if thats my problem. also where and how much do you think two of those wold cost?

 

I don't have any pics, but when mine went out it resembled a shredded tire. I got a new one from Ford for $50-55 range. It's a pain to press into place, I suggest letting a shop press it on. But the tear down and re-assembly only takes an hour or two.

 

try moog u-joints, think mine were 60 and they are better quality...