My truck is Ringing

[98EXPY 5-0]

I'm not sure how to describe this symptom, so I am hoping that someone has experienced it already and tell me where to look.

My truck is ringing. It sounds sort of like a pully squeaking, but not. It comes and goes with what seems like randomness. It happens while accellerating, coasting, with the brake pedal pushed full or partially. It did it for over an hour last night driving around, but when I got home and let it run with the hood up, no ring. It does it while sitting at a redlight and while moving. A/C on or not.

It sort of sounds like when the fan in a computer is starting to go, but it's not the blower motor. It litterally sounds like someone vigorously ringing a tiny bell. It does not seem to be tied to RPM, or brakes, or steering.

Any thoughts?

98 Expedition, 5.4L, 4x4

 

[JDMitchell]

Did you check your voicemail?

Seriously though, it could be your idler pulley doing that since it happens at random times with your engine under load.

 

[98EXPY 5-0]

Its more of a ringing like a bell, and not a pulley sqeak or squeal.

 

[Scottandtyson210]

Is it alternator whine coming through your speaker? I have that and it sort of sounds like that, comes and goes.

 

[98EXPY 5-0]

Nope. It did it with the radio off too. I read that it might be a spring clip inside the center cap on my rims. Sounds a bit far fetched, but I'll be checking for that tonight. I was just hoping to add some more things to my list to check.

 

[nvycrmn]

that clip shouldnt make any noise while you are just sitting there though. at first i thought maybe worn shock bushing. i had the same problem. but you said it happens when you are just sitting there.

 

[98EXPY 5-0]

I think it was doing it while sitting still, but it wouldn't do it while idling in my driveway. I know that I kept trying to get on the brakes to see if it was the indicator or something.

I'll have to try it again sitting still.

Lets operate on the assumption that it only happens while moving. I know it does it while going slow or fast. Then what?

 

[ExpyPlowGuy]

Might be far fetched but check the heat shield over the exhaust. When they get loose they have an annoying rattle.

 

[JDMitchell]

Might be far fetched but check the heat shield over the exhaust. When they get loose they have an annoying rattle.

It could also be a baffle from inside the muffler that is vibrating.

 

[98EXPY 5-0]

I bet its my muffler bearings.


Seriously, I've heard many "heat shield" rattles, this doesn't sound like that. It sounds like I have the Mall Santa sitting on my fender gettin' after it with that bell.

I'll get under there and poke everything with a stick and see what happens.

 

[toms89]

Do you have kids? Maybe someone dropped a santa bell inside the vehicle. Check under the seats..

 

[JUST4FUN]

tap on the front of the A/C compressor(with the truck off) ill bet thats the noise
its the cluch

 

[Thermo]

Ah, I haven't seen this problem in a long time. Try this: Remove the cap off of your front wheels and locate the small tin cap covering the spindle nut. Now, using a pair of needle nose, remove the cotter pin and pull those caps off. Reinstall the cotter pin. Did the noise go away? This was a problem that was common with the early Expy's.

 

[panda24619]

Ah, I haven't seen this problem in a long time. Try this: Remove the cap off of your front wheels and locate the small tin cap covering the spindle nut. Now, using a pair of needle nose, remove the cotter pin and pull those caps off. Reinstall the cotter pin. Did the noise go away? This was a problem that was common with the early Expy's.

again with being the cargod. i think we should be able to change the line under our name. your would say cargod!

 

[98EXPY 5-0]

I pulled the front center caps. The stamped looking nut doesn't move and neither does the washer behind it. I also went for a quick spin and didn't hear the noise. So I'll have to wait until it does it again and then check I guess.

JUST4FUN, do you mean to tap on the A/C clutch? Even if the clutch is going bad, how would tapping on it recreate the same sound?

 

[98EXPY 5-0]

Do you have kids? Maybe someone dropped a santa bell inside the vehicle. Check under the seats..

I have kids, but only people in handcuffs ride in the back of my Exped. I don't think any of them have had bells on.

 

[JUST4FUN]

JUST4FUN, do you mean to tap on the A/C clutch? Even if the clutch is going bad, how would tapping on it recreate the same sound?[/QUOTE]

on the front of the compressor, is the clutch it has springs and plates
and magnets to makeup the air gap area when they start braking down parts start hanging

 

[98EXPY 5-0]

The noise is still there. Actually there is a ringing and a squeal that seems to be completely independant of RPMs, and speed. However, it won't do it when I drive slow or stop.

 

[tmajikman]

The noise is still there. Actually there is a ringing and a squeal that seems to be completely independant of RPMs, and speed. However, it won't do it when I drive slow or stop.

Time for brake pads bro. The sqeelers quit when the brakes are pressed or do not make noise when your not in motoion.

 

[98EXPY 5-0]

Time for brake pads bro. The sqeelers quit when the brakes are pressed or do not make noise when your not in motoion.

Really? I always thought that the wear indicators only sqealed when you apply the brakes with worn pads? Hell my pads probably don't even have 2000 miles on them.

Would they just ring out while driving and no brakes are applied?