91 Explorer front end noise

[Shane91Explorer]

My explorer is a 5 speed 91 Explorer with 236,000 miles. I keep getting this popping noise at 15mph and under. I've replaced both wheel bearings thinking that was it. It seemed better for a couple days, but the noise is back. One other symptom I found yesterday was when I had to slam on the brakes on the freeway....it made a loud pop and seemed hesitant to want to move again when I got going again. I've had it since it had 140,000 on it (I never expected it to get to 236K while I owned it) and I've only replaced the aforementioned items, the tie rod ends and radius arm bushings while I've had it.

I would sure appreciate some direction on this noise. It sounds like something that would be turning like a drive shaft or bearing. Any chance it could be a caliper if the rotor isn't exactly true? It does not shake when I brake though.

Thanks!

 

[MrShorty]

Where it seemed to do something funny with the brakes, I wonder if you have some sticky calipers. The popping might be the calipers unsticking???

 

[rngmStr]

Where it seemed to do something funny with the brakes, I wonder if you have some sticky calipers. The popping might be the calipers unsticking???

maybe the caliper slide pins?

http://www.explorerforum.com/forums/showthread.php?t=122696

 

[Shane91Explorer]

I replaced the pins right after the bearings.....

I thought it may be the pins as well so I replaced them. I bought a hardware kit from Autozone. Now that I am thinking about that, another thought comes to mind: When installing the kit, one thing I was not able to do was install the clips that attach to the pad the resides in the knuckle. They both broke when I tried to install them. I have Performance Friction pads which seem to have a little thicker frame than factory. Could that cause my noise and hang up? The pad seems pretty snug in there, it almost seems the clip would make it worse.

By the way, IMHO, those pins are the dumbest idea I've ever seen.

 

[nitro71]

Wonder if it could be the automatic hubs? You say it's hard to get going though? You might clean your hubs really well, give them a super light coat of grease or ATF and see if that fixes it or pull the guts on the hubs.