99 explorer w/ front end axle noise

[Erogers9198]

Have a 99 explorer 4wd that has a lot of noise that seems to be coming from the front axle area. Gas mileage has decreased to around 9 miles per gallon. Thought that It was stuck in 4wd but I disconnected the transfer case module but roaring persists. Vehicle has 200k plus mileage so 4wd is NOT important. Nor is spending a lot of money on it. will removing the front drive shaft quieten the front differential?

 

[rb142]

No. The wheels are still turning the differential. That assumes that it IS in the differential and not something like a drive shaft joint or the transfer case. It sounds like a really bad pinion bearing. If you are lucky, it is just the bearing, which is fairly easy to replace.

 

[XLTrunner]

Disconnecting the transfer case "module" doesn't necessarily eliminate a damaged t-case as the cause. If there is damage inside, it's likely going to bind and put drag on the front drive line. I know...it happened to my truck. Probably the easiest thing to try first is to disconnect the front drive shaft and see if it helps.

I know bad pinion brgs/gears in the rear diff can cause a lot of howl...so, as mentioned, it's possible the front diff would do the same.

 

[Erogers9198]

Thanks for the input. will remove front drive shaft and see if that helps

 

[VCOSH28]

I'm dealing with the same issue right now. Did you find the culprit or a solution?

 

[Erogers9198]

I'm dealing with the same issue right now. Did you find the culprit or a solution?

Actually I did. It was not 1 but 2 bad front wheel bearings