2002 Explorer Running Out of Parts to Replace

[gfestian]

Front left, nearly a rumble strip sound at mid-speed notable straight line, significantly increase Right turn with load transferred to Left wheel. Non-existent Left turn with load off the Left wheel.

I've read through 15 similar posts. They all end with either a wheel bearing or no resolution at all.

Following has been replaced
New Rubber all around.
New driver hub assembly.
Replaced CV axle (reman'd inner and outer joints)
Upper and lower ball joints are 6 mos old
Tie rod end is 6 mos old

I'm more stubborn than handy, so taking the knuckle down to the spindle 2 times is a lot of work.

Can anyone offer an educated guess?

 

[tower]

My uneducated guess - Wheel bearing - if you already replaced the drivers then you have narrowed it down, it's the passengers' side .

Do yourself a favor and buy good ones or you will be back in a year or so asking the same thing (been there done that).

Don't worry though after you have changed them 2-3 times you can do it in under a hour I find it much easier to push the axle in as far as it will go (without hurting it) before trying to remove the 3 bolts as it gives you 2-3" of more room to get the bolts out.

Don't forget to come back after you get it fixed so this thread will have a resolution

 

[gfestian]

Tower. I woke up two times last night thinking its impossible this is the passenger bearings. The noise disappears when the right is under load. But since that's the last piece (under $200 ouch!) before I start working on the differential, I guess I'm out of options. I will post my results. Cross fingers for positive.

 

[JoshMcMadMac]

Wheel out of balance, alignment, or bushing(s). In that order.

 

[gfestian]

It would appear that there are those rare instances when the bearing under load IS NOT the bearing creating the noise/gone bad. Turn to the right, increased loan on the left bearing and the noise got worse... But it was the right bearing, not the left. Replace the Right hub assembly and all is well.

Hats off to those that called it, thank you.

 

[tower]

Thanks for the update, glad it worked out for you.