Grinding sound when turning

[subzero]

I did a search and couldnt really find any valuable info on this problem. Its around 0-10F here, and snowing a good amount. For some reason, while in the standard 4Hi Unlocked mode, the truck makes a really deep grinding noise any time the wheels are deviated only around 10 degrees and up. I cant figure out if it is snow packed in my wheel well (which I checked and didnt find), or if it is my CV joints grinding. Has anyone had this experience? It is also doing it when the differential is locked. It never makes any noise when its warm out and not snowing. Is it just normal in this type of weather?

 

[toto]

I noticed the exact same thing today. Got about 4" in the Chicago suburbs, same temperature range. Never heard such a thing before today.

I don't see any evidence of any rubbing, either. I'm guessing it's either snow making noise as it's crushed by the tire, or some sort of very active stability control thing.

It's been below 0 for the last couple of days - no noise. It has to have something to do with the snow.

 

[subzero]

I noticed the exact same thing today. Got about 4" in the Chicago suburbs, same temperature range. Never heard such a thing before today.

I don't see any evidence of any rubbing, either. I'm guessing it's either snow making noise as it's crushed by the tire, or some sort of very active stability control thing.

It's been below 0 for the last couple of days - no noise. It has to have something to do with the snow.

Come to think of it, you have a good point. It has been below 10 degrees here for damn near a month, and I had not heard it till the snow came down hard. If you are reading this thread and it happens to you as well, please just post so that we know its not just our trucks in which case we will need to have them checked out.

 

[toto]

Most of the roads are clear today, with temps still barely above 0.

On clear roads, no noise.

On roads with a little packed snow, noise when turning at low speed, like side streets or a parking lot.

It's definitely not a mechanical problem. It must be a rather odd road noise from the tires (Michelin CT's). I read up on the active traction contol (A-TRAC) on the full-time 4WD, and also on VSC. VSC doesn't do anything below 15 MPH, and A-TRAC probably isn't making the noise, either.

The grip on the tires is AWESOME in the snow, so they're not going away just because of a little noise that can be fixed by turning up the radio!

 

[subzero]

Most of the roads are clear today, with temps still barely above 0.

On clear roads, no noise.

On roads with a little packed snow, noise when turning at low speed, like side streets or a parking lot.

It's definitely not a mechanical problem. It must be a rather odd road noise from the tires (Michelin CT's). I read up on the active traction contol (A-TRAC) on the full-time 4WD, and also on VSC. VSC doesn't do anything below 15 MPH, and A-TRAC probably isn't making the noise, either.

The grip on the tires is AWESOME in the snow, so they're not going away just because of a little noise that can be fixed by turning up the radio!

Agreed. Its totally silent until it hits a small patch of snow. Its amazing how it goes from pure silence to an extreme grinding noise on a dime. Anyways, its definitely not a mechanical problem so nothing to worry about.