01 "Sport trac" thump noise and 4wd binding

[funkykeys]

I moved this original post from the "Wheels and tires" forum...

I have a 2001 'trac and it came with 15" stock steel rims and hubcaps. The tires were Michelin LTX/AT 235/75r/15. I believe the Ranger also came with the same rims. I just bought a set of used 16" Ford stock alloy rims from an '02 'trac with Goodyear wrangler tires 255/70r/16's (60% tread). After installing the 16's I notice a light thump noise coming from the front of the vehicle. It is not real loud but noticable from 0 mph to about 35 mph. It didn't do this prior to installing the 16's. I thought maybe the rims needed balancing so I took them to Les Schwab where they checked them out and did the balancing. The sound still exists.
I see the previous post from "Operator". Seems similar, however why would a cv joint or wheel bearing start making noise now? It didn't make the noise before.
Any ideas would be helpful! Thanks!

UPDATE.......

I raised the front of the vehicle and tried to wiggle the wheels back and forth. The drivers side wheel is solid, but the passenger's side has slight movement to it. Doesn't seem to be coming from the wheel bearing but from elsewhere.

To further try to diagnose the problem, I thought I would put it in 4wd and see if the thumping worsened.
When I put the truck in 4wd (which by the way is never used, it's my wife's vehicle) and as I back out of the driveway turning, the vehicle acted like the brake was being applied. I stopped and put it back in 2wd and it backed out fine. Once out on the street I put it back in 4wd and drove 2 blocks with no problems (other than the thumping described above) and when I went to turn around it again acted liked I had applied the brakes. Put it back in 2wd and the problem went away. I don't know if the 2 problems are related at all because the thumping occurs all the time whether in 2 or 4wd. I'm starting to believe I've got 2 things going on.

 

[thunderhorse]

The binding in 4x4 is normal on the street. Don't do it again, only use 4 wheel drive when there is LOW traction (dirt road, rain, or snow).

As for the thump, have you tried rotating the tires front to rear. See if the noise moves with the tires, may be a flat spot on a tire.

 

[Sweet25th]

I have an 03 Sport Trac with the same Goodyear tires and it makes the same noise. When I took the truck for a test drive prior to buying it, I mentioned it the salesman and he said it is a known problem with the Goodyear tires. I asked the technicians to look into it without mentioning what the salesman said about the tires and the techs told me right away that those tires are junk and wear unevenly...just gonna have to go with a different brand to see if it helps...and when you do, make sure to get an alignment check.

 

[OZexplore]

its probably the tyres and yes they are very hard compound which results in flat spots try swapping tyres from one side to the other not back to front this may help or maybe just put up with it i will until mine are worn a bit more

 

[jackndelphine]

My 96 xlt did the same thing, right before it completly locked up and left my wife on the side of the road. In my case it was the clutch inside the transfer case falling apart, it actually exploded inside the case and blew a hole through the top of the T case. The problem started as a slight crunching at very low speeds when rolling, in forward, and progressivly got worse, The night I picked the truck up from the side of the road, I almost had to floor it to get it up on the trailor, and still couldnt find the noise, when I got it home it drove off the trailor and into the driveway like nothing happened, no noise, untill I put it in reverse, I could have sworn it was a hub bearing or or one of the diffs, but it ended up being the transfer case, just figured I would give you a little food for thought.

Good luck, Jack