At wits end

[Skotty]

I have a 03 mountaineer.Noticed a couple of days ago i get a vibration starting at 20mph and increasing all the way up to 70.It's not the tires and i rotated them right after the drive and still have the noise.The Noise increases and decreases with speed.

Today I was backing out of the driveway and noticed a "grinding" noise.Being curious I pulled back in and could duplicate it turning right or left backing out of the driveway.The vibration is the same turning left or right going down the street.

I jacked up the front end and did the 6 and 12 test on both tires.Testing for the wheel bearings.Hell for grins i did the rear also.All of them seemed firm.

The boots on the CV's look new still and the ball joints looked good also.The only real thing i saw was that i have very little brake shoes left.

Another thing i noticed was the U joints for the front driveline looked rust

Any help before I pay through the nose at the dealership?

 

[bmx045]

grab a hold of the front and rear driveshaft and push and pull (vertical movement)- Check for play. Check pinion bearings for leaking and play by joceling the driveshafts up and down. If your explorer's driveshafts have the slip joint in the middle, grab a hold of that and push and pull again to see if theres a wobble. If there is, either the pinion bearing(s) needs to be replaced, or your driveshaft(s). I had this issue in my jeep at the same speeds, turned out the front driveshaft slip joint was rotted and had vertical play.

 

[MustangP51]

do you feel a pulsing when you apply the brakes?

 

[Skotty]

No Pulsing when applying the brake.

Im starting to agree it has something to do with my driveline for the vibration.But still up in the air about the grinding.

Going on the weekend gonna put the thing off the ground and do a second thourough check.

No wonder my wife loves my 92.It doesn't have half the problems im having with the mountie.:thumbdwn:

 

[MustangP51]

Ok, well if there is no pulsing then there goes my idea with severely warped rotors.
Have you checked the bearing assemblies? That could be the cause of grinding.

 

[tower]

Bad or "close" to bad brake liners will cause grinding the rotors do not need to be warped.

Do a search on vibrations you are not alone but if someone has found the answer they have not posted it.

 

[corrado15]

My 04 EB V8 AWD has it too...

Can't really hear it when reversing out of the garage but when driving, especially when turning left or right, getting a vibration through the gas pedal and floor (plus a slight grinding / thumping noise).

CV boots look like new, doesn't appear to be any play in the wheel bearings either.

Maybe a change of fluid in the center diff would help....?

So far I've been really happy with my Explorer so I'm hoping this is not going to be something major...

David.

Edit - I know that one of my front rotors is definitely warped and squealing when pressure is applied but I don't think it's bad enough to cause this and there's no pulsing in the brake pedal...

 

[Skotty]

Any suggestions on what gear oil to use in changing the front diff?

Merc says to use 80-90w.Is there any problems with going with a heavier oil?

 

[GSP]

Wheel bearing bad,,,,,, it can grid and growl and have NO PLAY in the bearing,,,, jack it up and spin the wheel as fast as you can,,, you should be able to hear the grinding sound.

 

[corrado15]

Wheel bearing bad,,,,,, it can grid and growl and have NO PLAY in the bearing,,,, jack it up and spin the wheel as fast as you can,,, you should be able to hear the grinding sound.

Yep...took my truck to the shop today. Wheel bearing bad, wallet $450 lighter...

D.

 

[jenren81]

bahhh!!!!! that's spendy corrado.... i think i may be in next for the sameeeee ugh

 

[corrado15]

bahhh!!!!! that's spendy corrado.... i think i may be in next for the sameeeee ugh

Believe me - next one I'll be doing myself!

 

[Skotty]

replaced the brake shoes...grinding gone!
Seems the inside shoe on the driver side was almost down to the metal.

BUT the vibration is still there.Good idea on jacking the thing in the air and spinning them.

It sounds as if a tire has a flat spot in it.Anyone have problems with Bridgestone Duelers h/t's ?

Anywho back on track. The Mounty has less then 100k miles on it so anything can go

 

[Skotty]

Well thought the grinding was gone

Yesterday was slowing down and felt as if something was dragging or slowing the vehicle down.Sooo.....replaced the rear shoes.

On inspection I noticed the edge of the rotor was very rusted and flaking off.

Is this usual?

Oh and on the wheel spin test DEFINATELY a wheel bearing.Passenger rear Grinds growls and you even on a hand spin.