'93 explorer can't figure out what is causing noise/problems

[ktasch]

Hello.
I understand how you are supposed to check old posts first and I have tried. I have been searching, reading posts and still have not found the info I need. So please bear with me.

We have read through repair manuals, searched countless websites and asked quite a few friends to help us with the problem.

We have a 93 explorer. It has a loud hum, (almost resembling the noise a vehicle can make while in 4 wheel drive, from the front passenger side) feels restricted when driving and the gas mileage has become terrible since problem started. (About half of what we were getting) The noise starts around 20 mph and continues weather you are on the gas or off, in drive or neutral and the faster you go, the louder it gets. 4 wheel drive is not engaged. Hubs and front drive shaft were removed, and it was taken for a ride. (Still makes the noise even without those parts on.) Calipers and rotors are fine. Brake pads are fine and breaks are operating properly.

The fuel gauge hasn't worked for years. It was recently replaced and it works fine now. Also the tach didn't work properly. When you would accelerate, the needle would drop. It worked for a little while and now only works once in awhile.

It's the only vehicle we have right now and we are so fed up with it. Can someone please help?

 

[boggs1227]

tho i'm not a expert on the suspension's i would check ...

slowlly going out auto hubs ( if you got auto hubs then i bet their about gone )
tire balance
wheel bearings
front and rear diff's for fluid condition and fill if needed ( could affect mpg if low or old fluid is in there )
could be back drums out of round and makes a vibration
any body and suspension bushings that you can see that are old and need to be replaced ( like r-a-b bushings )
transfer case fluid level and condition

hope this helps if any

 

[Maniak]

I didn't hear bearings checked.. there are only a few things that turn if you don' thave the hub on.. And they ride on a pair of bearings (in the rotor).. The axle shaft won't be turning, so a blown u-joint won't cause this, or even the spindle bearing

I'm assuming that if you pick up the front end and try to rotate teh tire by hand that you feel the passenger side is spinning much harder than the driver side?

~Mark

 

[doonze]

I give Maniak's idea a thumbs up. If I was a betting man I'd bet on it being the bearings or the races.

Course that could be because I'm going through an issue with mine at the moment (I think)

But much like Maniak said, it's about all that's left to look at that spins!

 

[boggs1227]

tho i'm not a expert on the suspension's i would check ...

slowlly going out auto hubs ( if you got auto hubs then i bet their about gone )
tire balance
wheel bearings <---
front and rear diff's for fluid condition and fill if needed ( could affect mpg if low or old fluid is in there )
could be back drums out of round and makes a vibration
any body and suspension bushings that you can see that are old and need to be replaced ( like r-a-b bushings )
transfer case fluid level and condition

hope this helps if any

:scratch:

 

[titansarrow]

I second the wheel bearings.

 

[Maniak]

:scratch:

Yup, you said it too.. I meant I didn't hear it already being checked by ktasch...

~Mark

 

[boggs1227]

...i know ,no problem

 

[93 blue explorer]

Im going with wheel bearings, or tires. Lift the front end and shake the tires. If it is bearings then you mostlikly will be able to lift the tire up and down.