Noise when cold... kind of a sqeak

[5.0limited00]

when the truck is cold it makes a sqeaking sound when its rolling. you dont have to be on the gas to hear ir. it just seems to make it if the truck is moving. when i apply the brakes it does not get better or worse it stays the same. until you come to a stop then you cant hear it. i dont know if it will help but i started hearing it after i changed the rear diff fluid to amsoil. but i checked it and there is no leaks. so if anyone knows what this sounds like please let me know. i am about to drive 2000 miles round trip in about a month and i dont want to run the risk of messing something up.

 

[5.0limited00]

Bump

 

[5.0limited00]

some help please. i am about to go to Snowshoe for spring break and i dont want to make the trip if there is a problem with the ex.

 

[V8-X]

Just going off your quick description, of a squeal consistant with speed when it's cold out and not being the brakes, I would say it's a Dust Seal or Hub.

I had a 99 Ranger which needed the Dust Seals replaced twice, while my 99 X has also had the Dust Seals replaced twice.

Think it's a bad design by Ford, as I've seen and heard many Ranger's & X's with this problem. Cheap part, but labor is expensive, as they need to pull out the Hub to replaced the Dust Seal.

Just my 2 cents.

 

[5.0limited00]

anyone else know anything about this dust seal. will it hurt to drive on it? thanks

 

[V8-X]

When I had my Ranger in to have these replaced under warrenty through a Ford Service Center, they stated it won't hurt to drive with it like this, it's just annoying. Being the person I am, I hate to drive around with a car that makes a squeal or funny noise.

So I would have to say "No" it shouldn't hurt to drive around like this.

Now the Dust Seal is around $25-$30 I believe, but labor costs are high, since they have to remove the hub. I think it's about 1.5 - 2 hrs labor.

 

[5.0limited00]

is this something i can do myself?

 

[V8-X]

Don't see why you couldn't do this yourself. As long as you have the tools and know how. I know it's in the Haynes manual with replacing the Hubs, but I have never tried it myself. Maybe someone else could chime in on how to do this.

 

[5.0limited00]

ya this sound is kinda werid because its not all the time. only when the truck is cold and been sitting for awhile. almost sounds like its the brakes but when you hit them it doenst make the sound any differnt. i dont know if i am up to do this in my spare time i may have it checked out since i have to have my link end put on this week since the factory one on the right hand site broke. funny and i dont do any off roading. ok thanks for the help. if anyone knows what else this could be let me know.

 

[V8-X]

I know these Dust Seals are a very common problem for 98-01 X's as well as Rangers.

Doesn't matter if you go off road or not, my Ranger had them replaced twice and it never left the road.

Also, it won't make the noise all the time. It comes and goes as it likes, but is more prone to creating noise when it is cold out.

 

[5.0limited00]

well thanks for the help. i cant believe your the only person on the forum that has heard of this sound. I usually get alot more feedback but i guess everyone is busy answering non ex realted post. thanks again for all the help. i guess i will take it in to the shop and see what they say...to bad i have found i can never get a car to make the same nosie for a tech!

 

[V8-X]

Try taking it in on a cold day then, just to make sure since this is the time the noise occurs the most.

Other then that, try to have them lift the truck and put it in drive. Hopefully in the shop with the X lifted and wheels turning it will make the noise.

Otherwise have them drive next to a building very slowly to hopefully create an echo. This is what I had to have the tech do once to hear and find the noise.

 

[lwn]

You might want to make sure you don't have a u-joint making the noise.

 

[5.0limited00]

how would i know if i did? can i please get some feedback at what am i working with here. now i think it could be the hub. i bet thats more money and labor than the dust seal. ok guys please let me know what i should do here