Can anybody tell what could be causing this ultra-weird noise coming from my front wheels?

It only happens in extreme cold weather conditions, after the truck has been sitting around for a few hours.  I start it up to let it warm up for 10 minutes or so, and then as soon as I start moving, I hear what sounds like this,"RUB-RUB-RUB-RUBBRUBBRUB-RUB-RUB" and then it stops instantly.  This goes off and on for a while until I've been driving for a long time and then stops altogether and all seems normal.

What the hell could be causing this noise.  It also seems to be coming more from the drivers side front wheel more.

Are the front hubs locked in? Ive had lockouts get worn and do that. If they are unlock them and see if it still does it.

Mike

They are locked, even in 4WD it does that noise.  I think in regular 2WD with them in the hubs in the free position, the noise is no longer there.

Grease too thick........I get that same thing too, its only until I go about 1/4 mile then it goes away.  And only since its been colder than a polar bears ass on ice has this started.

I think it adds a bit of character to my vehicle!


PS no manual hubs, these are the factory autolock type.

Check the calipar for rub marks where the back of the rotor would contact it. I had a mechanic switch out the wheel bearings (only did the outer), after a few trips back about once every 3-4 months he said it had to be the 33's and wide rims causing the bearings to fail. Actually I had no inner wheel bearing left. When I would lock it in the front would torque enough to rub the back of the rotor on the calipar.

HTH
Zig
(I learnt dat (HTH) fromEric Moderators are good for something

The cold weather is affecting your ears, go see your doctor  
well it's that or wheel bearings  

I was a fleet mechanic for years, never use the so called heavy duty grease, moly is ok to use as long as it is a number 2 and has a little tackyness to it, alot of the big rigs have gone to using gear oil in the front hubs so you could prob. mix a little in with some number 2 grease and it would be ok, I used to use the blue boat grease(lithium ) in my ford four wheel drive because I drove it hard and did alot of water crossings and where I live we have a 50 deg. temp change almost every day so there would be a lot of condensation in there with regular grease. I ran it like that for 14 years same bearings so I would say that is another way to go!Dennis.

They are locked, even in 4WD it does that noise.  I think in regular 2WD with them in the hubs in the free position, the noise is no longer there.

Sounds like a lockout. That is exactly what mine was doing and it stopped when I swapped out the Lockout.  :-/

Mike

PS Its not the wheel bearings if it changes when the hubs are engaged and disengaged. Possibly a dry/tight outer CV joint but unlikely

I though he said the noise was the same
hubs locked or unlocked  

I think in regular 2WD with them in the hubs in the free position, the noise is no longer there.

I think I got it right.


Mike

Yep, I went back and re-read the thread  

Sorry dudes, me English is sometimes retarded.  

Ok, so when it's ULTRA COLD, like for example -31F, my front wheels, especially the drivers side makes that rubbing noise on and off.  Now, it only seems to make the noise after I have engaged the 4WD mechanism, done some driving around, park it for a while and the then start her up and start driving again.  When I disengage back to 2WD WITH the hubs still in the LOCK position, it will still make the noise but not as much.  It will stop after a while.

But you boys know what?   I have don't think I've tried to switch back the hubs in the FREE (Transfer case in 2WD of course) position and see what happens.    

So I'll try that next time and see what happens.  Thanks for all you advice guys.

check your wheel bearings dude.

I put in brand new wheel bearings just over a year ago, cost me a fortune.  They were made in Japan.  I switched to FREE position today and the noise stopped..weird.

super swampers are famous for doing funny sounds when they are cold because they develop flat spots.  Usually related to bias belted tires