97 Explorer Eddie Bauer, noisy front end

[ScottyR]

Just bought a 1997 Eddie Bauer and find that there is a lot of noise coming from the front, driver's side tire area. Starts as soon as I put it into gear, diminishes a bit at freeway speed. Sounded to me like a wheel bearing, but my mechanic put a new one in today and it made no difference.

What can ya'll tell me about what I should look for?

Thanks,

Scotty,
Milton, Wa.

 

[ScottyR]

Wind Noise, 1997 Explorer Eddie Bauer

Near as I can tell, the wind noise I'm getting on my new truck is coming from around the wiper hole in the plastic cowling that makes the transistion from the hood to the windshield. I put some duct tape on it and it was less noisy, but still not gone.

What else should I look for, people?

Thanks,

Scotty,
Milton, Wa.

 

[Blee1099]

I assume 4WD/AWD.. If your mechanic put a new wheel bearing in the driver side, how much did he charge.. The reason I ask is because the AWD/4WD bearings are not servicable. You need to replace the entire hub assembly. Can you describe the sound into more detail? To diagnose the problem, I suggest lifting your driver side wheel up in the air with floorjack and grab the wheel at the 6 & 12 o'clock positions and try to push the wheel toward you & toward the motor. If there is a considerable amount of play, then its the balljoint. If you grab the wheel at the 3 & 9 position and can push the wheel in & out a considerable amount, then its probably the hub assembly/wheel bearing assembly.

 

[ScottyR]

Noisy front end..

Yeah, Blee..

It's AWD, and the truck has 136K on it, (has a reman sticker on the engine cover, looks brand new) I bought it from a used lot, so..no paperwork.

The mechanic put a new hub assembly on, (180 bucks) and drove it. He said the noise was still there, so he put the old one back. Said it looked fine anyway. No charge. (That's why I like Les Schwab). He suggested that the AWD sounds like it's always engaged, that it could be a sensor.

I took it to my other mechanic and he's looking at it now.

I've heard that it may be possible to just disconnect the drive shaft to the front and let it ride if the repair is too pricey. I'm considering that, and will know more tomorrow.

sr

 

[Dan Whitaker]

You can't just remove the front drive shaft on an AWD or you will fry the transfer case because it will think that it needs to adjust traction to the front wheels.