95 XLT—Some Minor Issues

[hatZim]

Greetings,

I've had a couple of niggling issues with my month old 1995 XLT, which I'm hoping aren't serious.

1. Rumble, whoom-whoom-whoom, sound while going straight, reduces significantly (almost vanishes) when on curves, turning right or left at same speed. I'm sure its tire rumble, I have 3 goodyears, and one bridgestone!
Can I live with them for a while, the tread should last for about a year I'm guessing.

2. Whenever I turn the A/C ON first time I start the vehicle every morning, after about a few seconds there's a faint thud. The thud never happens again throughout the day. But always happens one time, first thing in the morning. Should I be concerned?

3. The front doors are squeaking, but I've identified the squeaks. The squeaks are coming from the metal edge of the door rubbing up against the rubber lining of the front door. I've tried grease, but it goes off after a while, and the squeak returns. Can I cut up the rubber a bit?

Thank you for your suggestions/comments.

 

['97 V8]

Kool senah wa inta salem. You didnt expect that did ya?

Anyways, the answer to your first question is the hub assembly. Its failing. Fix it immeadiatly or you will be stranded on the side of the road like this. Those little metal things are the bearings.

#2, i have no idea, could it be the compressor kicking in?

#3, that rubber is the door seal. Do not cut it up since it prevents the elements from getting inside. Through on some wheel bearing grease on the squeky part and it should go away for awhile.

Mahdey

 

[hatZim]

Uh-Oh!

Nope, didn't expect that. And I don't entirely know what it means either.

Thanks, but now you've got me a bit sweaty here.

Now for a bunch of stupid newbie questions:

1. So I need a new hub assembly/bearings? How much is that going to cost me? Ooops, sorry, but I thought I was done with spending on my XLT.

2. Those squeaks are now the least of my concerns, I'll live with them for a while.

Thanks Mahdey...

 

['97 V8]

Do you have Napa there? If you do go there and get one. A timken hub assembly costs around 170 bucks . Also ebay had hub assemblies as well. Do you know how to change it?

 

[hatZim]

hmmmm....

Nope, don't think Napa exists here. And I checked up their online website, they don't have international deliveries yet. I'll check up it up though. Although, I feel sourcing the part shouldn't be a problem. Tonnes of car parts and accessory shops here. You mentioned Timken, so any hub assembly will do? It doesn't have to be Explorer specific? I'm sorry, but I know nothing.

I did read up a bit, and there's a bucketload of information here on this website. One sticky specifically deals with the hub assembly replacement. There's no way I can pull that off, but I know someone who can. For now the rumble is faint, and does not exist at low speeds. It sort of kicks in at speeds over 30mph/48kmph.

My average daily mileage is under 10kms. And my average monthly mileage has never exceeded 500kms. I'm going to try and pull through this month, and then take it to the shop next month. Those pieces of metal are embedded in my memory though, and I hope I don't end up like that.

Will keep you posted on how things turn out eventually.

Thanks for the heads up.

 

['97 V8]

The hub assembly is a sealed unit. Its all one piece, so it is vehicle specific. I may be going to Jordan in late december, i could buy a hub assembly, and when i get to jordan, fed ex it to you.

 

[hatZim]

Thanks! That's really very kind of you. Let me know when, and we'll work out the dough bits.

So, you're saying that with my running I should be able to last that long?

The hum/rumble isn't very noticeable at low speeds, but it's there alright.

Thank you very much, you've been very kind.

And I must say, these forums are extremely newbie friendly. I've already learned so much.