Front End Noise/Hum

Hi there, Does anybody know anything about a "hum" from the front end while breaking on uneven surfaces or breaking on snow/ice? It sounds like a small motor running…. maybe a pump? Like a break fluid pump or maybe power steering? But I've checked all the levels and they seem fine. The noise only lasts about 2-3 secs but it makes me a little uneasy. I have a 07 4.0 4x4. It happens with and without 4x4. Thanks for your help.

 

abs

 

Abs as in, it's normal, or something I should get fixed/ checked out? Thanks!

 

ABS as in Antilock Braking System. Yes it's normal

 

Yeah I understand what ABS is, and that it's normal on a car…. I just wanted to make sure the strange sound is not something to worry about. Because when it happens, if i get on the breaks even a little hard on a snowy road, they lock up, the sound goes on and I slide.

 

ABS rapidly pulses the brakes and that makes a vibrating sound/feel..... Is that what you're experiencing? Or is it something different than that?

 

Haha, lots of snow in LA? No wonder you didn't know what ABS was. It is normal. Your truck thinks it's helping you slow down, in reality, you roll much farther with abs than without.

 

Actually, I don't think ABS is intended to make your vehicle stop faster, rather its supposed to allow you to retain control by preventing your steering wheels from locking up and allowing your steering inputs to have some affect. Whether or not it's any good is debatable.

 

lol, yeah I live in CT now. Definately a snow rookie other than Mammoth and Big Bear trips. Why would it happen while breaking on uneven surfaces when it's dry though? It's done since I bought it new but never gave it much thought until this last storm.

 

Sounds like ABS, as the others have said. The one on my 07 would kick in and make that "hum" noise on the most moderate of offroad trails. It was a bit too sensitive IMO.

 

Cool. Well thanks for all the input guys. I appreciate it. Put me at ease.

 

That and it's trying to be a failsafe for dumb asses. A lot of people (lots of women, just saying) when losing control or see a deer ahead, say on ice or snow or even a gravel road will just cream on the brakes. This locks your wheels up and you just slide, your steering wheel has no effect and you stop when the resistance of the locked wheels against the surface allows you. With ABS, you can push that brake as hard as you want, it won't let you control the brake unless you let off, turning off the ABS, allowing you to try pushing lighter so the Antilocks wont kick back on. It pulses the brakes to try and regain traction rather than just slide with locked wheels.