I have an '01 CTD with the auto tranny. The noise is kind of hard to describe....a whine or howl...not really very loud. I only notice it a low speeds. It sounds a lot like a power steering pump but doesn't seem to be affected by turning the wheel. Also no change from getting on or off the brakes. Could this be some kind of harmonic from the exhaust system? It seems to go away at speed, but maybe I just can't hear it. Hell, I can't hear anything anymore anyway. Any thoughts?

 

Occasionally i have the low end growl that I determined (with some help from here) was the the fan cluth kicking in..

Not sure if that could be your noise or not though..

good luck

 

Got a friend to walk around the truck today while I idled around turning the steering wheel and getting on and off of the brakes. The noise is coming from the right front wheel and is apparently brake related...helps to have a second set of ears! Will pull the wheel and check this weekend.