Sounds like a rock stuck in my tire... but no rock! Other sources?

[Ranger850]

I would have put in the black one and said that's all we have. Ma'am

 

[adsm08]

I would have put in the black one and said that's all we have. Ma'am

At that time Ford would only pay the claim if you put the correct color in.

Eventually they changed things and all the cars got black.

 

[fastpakr]

"sure thing"

*pulls around an old Aerostar.

Better yet, an 80's Festiva.

 

[Ranger850]

Better yet, an 80's Festiva.

"It's embarrassing to drive a car in this condition" -

 

[askthemasses]

I had a weird noise that sounded like a rock stuck somewhere that came and went.

Turned it to be a u-joint cross. Eventually it quit going away and sounded a lot worse.

I was pulling the brakes apart (I have rear disks) because I could have sworn I had a piece of gravel stuck between the rotor and dust shield.

Huh. Any way to check that without pulling the whole truck apart??

 

[85_Ranger4x4]

Huh. Any way to check that without pulling the whole truck apart??

If it comes back pull the rear driveshaft off the axle and make sure the u joint flexes smoothly.

 

[askthemasses]

UUUUGH The u joints checked out, shop said they're fine. They couldn't figure out where the noise was coming from and when I drove around with the mechanic, of course the noise stopped. It didn't happen at all yesterday either, and then was especially loud today until I got to the shop and it magically disappeared.

They said if it comes back bring the truck back and we'll start tearing it apart, but until then, hard to say what else it could be.

Y'all have any thoughts I haven't covered? So far the brakes, bearings, tires, ujoints all check out.

 

[1990RangerinSK]

There is one option nobody has suggested. Maybe it's all in your head. That would explain why it comes and goes, right?

 

[adsm08]

There is one option nobody has suggested. Maybe it's all in your head. That would explain why it comes and goes, right?

My truck has a clicking noise that is similar to what is described in this thread. It sounds rotational, and speed related, but I can't find anything loose. It has persisted through multiple sets of tires, a set of ball joints, and a full rebuild.

It comes and goes, warmer weather seems to bring it out more, but I can't hear it at all with the windows up.

It sounds like exactly what the OP is dealing with, and after four years of it I still have no idea what is causing it. But it is definitely in the driver's front corner.

 

[1990RangerinSK]

My truck has a clicking noise that is similar to what is described in this thread. It sounds rotational, and speed related, but I can't find anything loose. It has persisted through multiple sets of tires, a set of ball joints, and a full rebuild.

It comes and goes, warmer weather seems to bring it out more, but I can't hear it at all with the windows up.

It sounds like exactly what the OP is dealing with, and after four years of it I still have no idea what is causing it. But it is definitely in the driver's front corner.

Is it louder when you stand in front of the truck with the hood up? Does it change with engine RPMS, when the transmission is in neutral?

If I'm right, it's likely an exhaust leak, likely in one of the manifolds. It's not fatal. You'd be able to drive the truck like that forever. It might just get a little louder.

 

[askthemasses]

Is it louder when you stand in front of the truck with the hood up? Does it change with engine RPMS, when the transmission is in neutral?

If I'm right, it's likely an exhaust leak, likely in one of the manifolds. It's not fatal. You'd be able to drive the truck like that forever. It might just get a little louder.

Someone else suggested an exhaust leak. Don't quite know how to check for that, but I'll look into it!

 

[askthemasses]

There is one option nobody has suggested. Maybe it's all in your head. That would explain why it comes and goes, right?

GF has heard it too. But then, she's super kind so maybe she's just placating me

 

[adsm08]

Is it louder when you stand in front of the truck with the hood up? Does it change with engine RPMS, when the transmission is in neutral?

If I'm right, it's likely an exhaust leak, likely in one of the manifolds. It's not fatal. You'd be able to drive the truck like that forever. It might just get a little louder.

Mine is only there when moving. Not an exhaust leak.

 

[Ranger850]

Long Shot - Could it be a piece of tape, or strap, or something " Flapping", so it comes and goes, sometimes it doesn't flap, sometimes it does. This is the only OTHER thing I can think of.

 

[91stranger]

UUUUGH The u joints checked out, shop said they're fine. They couldn't figure out where the noise was coming from and when I drove around with the mechanic, of course the noise stopped. It didn't happen at all yesterday either, and then was especially loud today until I got to the shop and it magically disappeared.

They said if it comes back bring the truck back and we'll start tearing it apart, but until then, hard to say what else it could be.

Y'all have any thoughts I haven't covered? So far the brakes, bearings, tires, ujoints all check out.

So the repair shop said bend over and we will tell how much you owe us or we hold your truck until you pay us. Have you tried another repair shop? If I were you I would try another shop, sometimes you can find a shop that has that one guy that knows every oddball thing about vehicles. if not, jack the truck up completely off the ground and start it up and just start pushing on stuff to see if something is loose or not right. Then while still SECURELY ON JACKSTANDS, put it in drive and rev it up and listen. Might get lucky and find something. Have you tried rotating the tires to see if the sound follows the tires? If all else fails turn up the radio. If that don't work you can buy an amp and some subs and then really turn up the radio. That's what I do if I hear something bothering me. crank up the 15" sub in the back and no more worries.