expressonate
Member
- Joined
- December 31, 2014
- Messages
- 23
- Reaction score
- 0
- City, State
- Eau Claire, WI
- Year, Model & Trim Level
- 2003 Mercury Mountaineer
Hello, I have a 2003 Mountaineer with a 4.6, AWD, 3rd row seating, towing package, and a remanufactured transmission. Aprox 164k miles. Original drivetrain components except the transmission. Has recieved diff and transfer case flushes ect same owner since 2004 (my Aunt)
I have a very typically sounding wheel bearing noise, sounds like a helicoptor taking off (wub wub wub) decreases and increases with vehicle speed, not related to it being in gear or in neutral. Unrelated to what gear, or if accelerating or decelerating. Doesnt change if turning slightly left, slightly right, or going straight (shifting load in the vehicle)
It's comming from the front. Unable to determine what side. Apparently it was more noticable after new tires (general grabber hts) They have no choppyness, the steering wheel doesnt shake. I do not suspect the tires to be the cause.
Upon inspection, the RF (passenger front) wheel bearing is newerish, and I have a reciete for it (MOOG brand) from aprox 1.5 years ago. The warranty is 2 years. The LF (drivers front) is unable to be dermined if oem or has been replaced. No recites indicating replacement, leading me to believe it's factory (has oil change recites from as far back as 2004. 3" folder of paperwork)
Neither bearing has play in the assembly. Brakes look good (no grooves, rust spots, or other defects), differential has some play (i can rotate the driveshaft about 1/8" or so before it "engages", I suspect that's normal, the rear's about the same) Differential has no play. Axle shafts are definitely original, but, no movement or other visible defects. u-joints are good (rear are recently replaced)
Where should I go from here? What else can I use to determine the cause? I'm NOT a fan of shotgunning parts at it at $250 each. The parts store says if I remove the wheel bearing from the RF, and give them the reciete, they will warranty it. I'm going to lean twords doing that. I also have a 2012 Escape that I could swap the tires/wheels onto, I think, to try and eliminate the tires as a cause.
Thanks for the help
~Nate
I have a very typically sounding wheel bearing noise, sounds like a helicoptor taking off (wub wub wub) decreases and increases with vehicle speed, not related to it being in gear or in neutral. Unrelated to what gear, or if accelerating or decelerating. Doesnt change if turning slightly left, slightly right, or going straight (shifting load in the vehicle)
It's comming from the front. Unable to determine what side. Apparently it was more noticable after new tires (general grabber hts) They have no choppyness, the steering wheel doesnt shake. I do not suspect the tires to be the cause.
Upon inspection, the RF (passenger front) wheel bearing is newerish, and I have a reciete for it (MOOG brand) from aprox 1.5 years ago. The warranty is 2 years. The LF (drivers front) is unable to be dermined if oem or has been replaced. No recites indicating replacement, leading me to believe it's factory (has oil change recites from as far back as 2004. 3" folder of paperwork)
Neither bearing has play in the assembly. Brakes look good (no grooves, rust spots, or other defects), differential has some play (i can rotate the driveshaft about 1/8" or so before it "engages", I suspect that's normal, the rear's about the same) Differential has no play. Axle shafts are definitely original, but, no movement or other visible defects. u-joints are good (rear are recently replaced)
Where should I go from here? What else can I use to determine the cause? I'm NOT a fan of shotgunning parts at it at $250 each. The parts store says if I remove the wheel bearing from the RF, and give them the reciete, they will warranty it. I'm going to lean twords doing that. I also have a 2012 Escape that I could swap the tires/wheels onto, I think, to try and eliminate the tires as a cause.
Thanks for the help
~Nate