Slow speed "whuh whuh" sound

Relatively new 2nd gen owner chiming in again with a question. I've recently noticed at low speeds (especially in smooth parking lots) a faint "whuh whuh" sound from the front end of the truck. Not squealing, more a faint growl. I've only had it since January, so I'm still getting to know this rig. It's a 2013 4.0 automatic double cab 4x4 with 180k Arizona miles on it.

The tires are new Michelin LTX at2 and I swear it started not too long after getting them. To my knowledge, all front-end bits and pieces are original. Any thoughts? Thank you.

 

Run your hand over the front tires to see if they're cupping. If they are then your alignment is off. If the tires are ok then could be wheel bearings

 

just the owner at this point!

 

thank you. I got an alignment done when I had my 265/75/16s on, then I pulled those after a month and went with 265/70/16s and DIDN'T realign; maybe I should have. I checked the tires, and they are wearing evenly. Maybe I'll get it in the air and freewheel the tires and see if I can hear it...

 

You might not hear anything with tires in the air if it's your wheel bearings. To know for sure if it is the bearings drive in a straight line until you hear the noise then turn left to right and see if the noise comes and goes. If it does then bearings are shot.

 

Mine was the needle bearing in the front diff. But yours is a 04? Your in the second gen forums

 

sorry, I need to update my profile still.

 

You need to see if the noise changes when turning left or right.
Such as going around a curve. That will give us a lot more information to further help you.

 

I think your truck is possessed by the ghost of Helen Keller

 

Ok, so I took it to a smooth lot. Straight ahead around 5-10 mph there’s a slight rotational hum, if I turn or lock steering into a circle in either direction, it more or less goes away.

 

100% tires. This happened to me. Drove me nuts for like 3 years. Once I got new tires, the noise went away

 

The normal things that make vibrations on these trucks
Tires/alignment
Drive shaft Carrier bearing
Driver side front diff needle bearing
Wheel bearings
U joints

 

Kinda thinking this may be the case. I don’t recall hearing the sound with my Ultraterrains. Yet the skins I have on now only have about 1000 miles on them. I don’t know, I’m probably just being neurotic.

 

Christ I hope so

 

My tires started doing this at about 5,000 miles.

 

If the sound goes away turning both ways, it’s probably not the wheel bearings.

Typically the noise gets louder one direction and quieter in the other.
Not quiet in both directions.

 

Try your same test driving straight forward, and put it into 4H. See if the noise disappears. If so, it’s likely the front needle bearing (left side where the front axle enters the diff.).