Whining 2020 Ranger FX4.

[Tmoffitt]

Anyone have any idea what this might be? This is on a 2020 Ranger 4X4 Lariat FX4. About 55,000 miles, but it's been doing this since 40K. Extremely intermittent and generally starts at highway speeds only to stop once I slow under 20mph. Generally doesn't last long and after a few stops and starts it quits. Sometimes for weeks at a time, but then will show up again. Dealer can't reproduce the sound, so they won't touch it. Very frustrating. I'm on an extended warranty until 75K, but worried I'm going to run out of warranty before I get it figured out. Any ideas on what to do or how to handle? Sounds like it comes from underneath the vehicle and almost like a bad wheel bearing sound or something, but given the intermittency of it, it can't be that.

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[RangerBill]

Anyone have any idea what this might be? This is on a 2020 Ranger 4X4 Lariat FX4. About 55,000 miles, but it's been doing this since 40K. Extremely intermittent and generally starts at highway speeds only to stop once I slow under 20mph. Generally doesn't last long and after a few stops and starts it quits. Sometimes for weeks at a time, but then will show up again. Dealer can't reproduce the sound, so they won't touch it. Very frustrating. I'm on an extended warranty until 75K, but worried I'm going to run out of warranty before I get it figured out. Any ideas on what to do or how to handle? Sounds like it comes from underneath the vehicle and almost like a bad wheel bearing sound or something, but given the intermittency of it, it can't be that.

It may be a failing driveshaft center carrier bearing.

 

[LawnMM]

Sounds belt driven to me, does the sound change with the throttle?

 

[Tmoffitt]

I've seen some threads mention that, but how in the hell do you get someone to take a look at it and possibly replace under warranty if they can't reproduce the sound? Shown a dealer the video and they just tell me to "bring it in when it makes that sound." Problem is the sound doesn't last long enough to do that.

If it's a failing bearing, will it just disintegrate at some point and leave me stranded?

 

[RangerBill]

I've seen some threads mention that, but how in the hell do you get someone to take a look at it and possibly replace under warranty if they can't reproduce the sound? Shown a dealer the video and they just tell me to "bring it in when it makes that sound." Problem is the sound doesn't last long enough to do that.

If it's a failing bearing, will it just disintegrate at some point and leave me stranded?

You could shake the driveshaft near the bearing and check for excessive play.

 

[Tmoffitt]

It does, but but quits completely at about 20mpg. Belts are all good.

 

[Tmoffitt]

You could shake the driveshaft near the bearing and check for excessive play.

Dealer said he did that and inspected the bearing and didn't see any problems.

 

[airline tech]

By the high pitch of the noise, I think you have a small pebble stuck between the dust shield / backing plate and the rotor by the sound level in the cab - most likely one of the fronts.
Either that or one of the pad mounting clips out of place and scrapping the edge of the rotor. I think it’s intermittent due to heat expansion (specific) moment.
This is only a possibility and I am only using the pitch of the noise and how it resonates.
It sounds like thin metal being scraped on its edge.

 

[airline tech]

As far as wheel bearing noise - take it for a drive and hit each hub with a thermometer and note is any of them considerably hotter than the others.
But take into account , braking will elevate the temperatures some.

 

[Tmoffitt]

By the high pitch of the noise, I think you have a small pebble stuck between the dust shield / backing plate and the rotor by the sound level in the cab - most likely one of the fronts.
Either that or one of the pad mounting clips out of place and scrapping the edge of the rotor. I think it’s intermittent due to heat expansion (specific) moment.
This is only a possibility and I am only using the pitch of the noise and how it resonates.
It sounds like thin metal being scraped on its edge.

Thanks. This is at least a different thought. I would just think a break inspection or even a tire rotation (I've done both since noise started) would confirm this. But helpful thought nonetheless. I agree with you on the sound. Definitely sounds like something metallic rubbing on something else metallic.

 

[Ddewitt88]

Center support bearing in the middle of the driveshaft.

 

[airline tech]

I think if its not a pebble stuck in between the dust shield, then possibly a failing U-Joint that is dry and heating up the needle bearings (squeal) and or the carrier bearing itself.
Generally the carrier bearing is more of a roar and you would be feeling a vibration as well.

 

[shockea]

Popping in because my 2020 Ford has started making a very similar noise.

Wondering if you ever figured out this issue.

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