one idea is to jack the front of the truck up and spin the wheel manually hubs unlocked see if you hear the noise. one possibility is your outer axlebearings are shot and in bad cases your Ujoints will be hitting your ball joints. another possibility could be loose brake pads.

 

the outer bearings in the hub dont spin when the hub is locked.Maybe that side that took the wack wrecked the outer bearing? Thats my guess.

 

If the noise goes away when locked I'd think you should try replacing the needle bearings (they stop spinning when locked) They're cheap and prone to failure

Welcome to guzzle's 4x4 Needle Bearing Maintenance Web Page

 

Soot_Life. melmount, NoRalph

Thanks for the help!!

If and when I take off the hub to replace the bearing, should I replace the knuckle seal as well? Looks as I'll have a fun day during an upcoming weekend fixing the hub. Ithink I'll end Up doing both.

I'm going to replace the steering box first, then the hub bearing.

Thanks again!!

 

if the seal is busted. I am not sure but i think when removing the axle it will wreck the seal. The seal needs a special tool to be reinstalled.Make sure the ball joints are good. Jack up the truck and pry on the wheel. Check for play. Might as well do that at the same time if its needed. Examine the u joint in the axle too.

 

no problem man. yeah the seal will more than likely be trashed. you can do i without the tool "steel bowl" what it reminds me of. but when you buy the seals (the tool came with my baring seals) so just open up the box when you get the parts see if its in there.

good luck be patient.

 

You don't have to mess with the Knuckle Seal if all you're doing is replacing either the needle bearings alone or the entire hub. Any farther in and you end up destroying that seal to get it out.

Make your own tool to install the knuckle seal -> Ford Super Duty Knuckle Seal Tool - AKA OTC 6695 | Superdutypsd.com