Front End Squeeling

steelheadguy

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I have a new to me 86 F350 6.9. It is my first diesel, and also first 4x4. Ive just recently started driving the truck. Today there is a horrible squeeling noise at slow speeds, which turns into a high pitch noise at high speeds. The noise isn't always there.

There are a couple of things that may have lead up to this.

I got the truck stuck in a very deep mud hole. So deep I almost couldnt open the doors and had to have a bulldozer pull me out. Im sure mud got everywhere and inside everywhere.

I also drove the truck about 200 miles with the hubs locked. Im new to 4x4, is this bad? At 85 I smelled something that smelled like fireworks and finally pulled over to manually unlock the hubs. Did I make the smell up? or could something be burning from the locked hubs?

Today I also filled my bed with plywood, 2x4s and quick crete, the first heavy load Ive put in the truck. I hauled the load about 50 miles.

At first I thought it was the front brakes completely worn, because the sound stops if I hit the brakes even if I just lightly touch the brakes. On the contrary, steering affects the noise.

I know nothing about hubs or U joints. At first glance I couldnt even tell what kind of brakes the front has. Are they really drums?
Sorry for being a noob!:hail
 
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steelheadguy

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Yea I dont know if Ill be able to until I get the other my wheels back on my other truck.
Edit: Ill check to see if it is the pads. If it is... Ill probably need new rotors after today.


Also.... Im very new to trucks and suspension. When I was parked today, I parked with the wheels turned all the way right. The wheels seemed to be leaning out. Is this normal?
 
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Clb

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The first thing I'd do is pressure wash the heck outta it.
Pull the fr wheels and wash some more.
The hub damage ( if any) is done , I dought there is much to do there.
Clean and lube the , steering gear, calipers and rotors, shift linkages, radiator, drivelines.
The thing is basicly made for this stuff , but mud truck guys do seal stuff up beter.
Hot / baking mud has a special smell, look at the headers and pipes for baked on mud( may be the smell).
 

Clb

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Time to go fishing' fresh mountian rains here recentley.
 
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