2001 Sport front end growl....

[RangerAl]

Hey all,
Anyone got any ideas or experience with a whine or dull growl from front end.
Thought I had issue resolved with driverside hub bearing replace, but about a month or so it's back.
It has the same wearing sound mostly at low speeds, above 30 all seems "normal".
Yesterday, I pulled the hub and checked it (spun it by hand, didn't feel/hear the bearings as I did with the original).

I'm wondering if half shaft is bad also.
Really hoping it's not the differential....

 

[RandomNerd2000]

Hub on the other side okay?

 

[RangerAl]

yes,
no noises from that right side.
I replaced both right and left hubs about a month ago.
Think I'm gonna pull both wheels in the morning, and see what I can see.

I haven't changed diff lube change since I owned it, maybe it's worth a shot.

 

[RangerAl]

I pulled and replaced pssngr side hub (2nd time in 3 months), with a brand new Duralast and topped off diff fluid.
Still, the whine is there.
Had a epiphany ......
I have read that some Explorer/Sports have AWD/4Hi/4Lo, leading me to think that the diff is always going to be turning.
do these operate differently than '01's?
I have a 2WD, 4HI, and 4LO indicator switch on dash, anyone know if a '01 Sport's diff is supposed to turn when in 2WD?
When I set switch to 4Hi or 4Lo, respective dash lights indicate engagement, and when 2WD is selected no lights are displayed (as it has for years).
Is it possible for 4WD engagement not being released "all the way".
Whine that I hear (and feel) isn't as pronounced as when driving on pavement in 4WD, but is not as "normal" (smooth) as it was before I started experiencing this issue.
.....SMH

 

[XLTrunner]

What year Explorer are we talking about, here? 2WD/4HI/4LO was not offered in 1999 as your Profile suggests that you own. Rather, it would be AUTO/4HI/4LO. And with that, there would always be a small percentage of power being directed to the front driveline in AUTO mode. Unless...someone did the brown wire mod and installed an older dash switch?

 

[RangerAl]

I apologize...XL, my current Explorer (Sport) is a 2001, the '99 refers to my ex-Ex, I'll update that.
To my knowledge a BWM has not been done, will it be at/behind switch as you mentioned?
Is it advisable to make the mod, should I not have one?
Is my 2WD mode the same as Auto mode, or is there a difference?
THX

 

[XLTrunner]

As far as I've ever known, the 2WD option and dash switch was discontinued after 1996 or '97 (don't recall exactly when). Ford then went with AUTO in place of that...and, the only way you could convert back to true 2WD was via the BWM. So, I'm confused as to how it is that you have a 2WD dash switch.

 

[RandomNerd2000]

Having a 2WD switch is easy done, if the radio trim is replaced with a used one from a 95-96, not sure what the effects, if any, would be though.

 

[XLTrunner]

Of course, it's do-able...but, it doesn't solve the mystery as to why his '01 has that switch. OP is complaining about front end growling and it would be helpful to know whether he has AUTO...or, someone has swapped the dash switch because it's been modified for true 2WD with the BWM.