Bearing Noise

[Bigg_billy]

My wife's 2000 Explorer XLS is making a bearing type noise in the front end. I jacked it up last night and checked the tire movement horizontally and vertically and everything is tight. The noise doesn't transfer to the steering wheel and there is no wobble or shaking, just a noise that sounds like a front wheel bearing is gone. Can someone point me in the right direction?

Thanks,

Bill

 

[BrooklynBay]

Hi Bill. Does it make the sound while coasting at a low speed? If it's a 4 X 4, did you check the front slip yoke, and U joint? Did you check the wheel bearings?

 

[Bigg_billy]

Yes it makes it at all speeds, seems like slow speed is worse. It was dark last night, I'll climb under tonight and check the yokes, it doesn't clunk at all though going into gear. It really sounds like a wheel bearing, there was just zero movement when I checked for movement vertically. I guess that is my question, can the bearings be gone if the wheel is tight?

Bill

 

[Glen4X4]

Ive had that happen with the malibu, the wheel was tight and the bearings were bad

 

[Bigg_billy]

Don't really know what to check with the slip yoke, everything seems tight. I took off the driver side tire and checked the brakes, the pads were fine but the rotors had a little rust ridge on the inner side which I chipped it off, the inner pad had worn from this buildup, and the noise is half gone, I'll do the passenger side tonight and see what I get. I think new rotors and pads will fix the problem, it sure sounded like bearing though.

Thanks,

Bill

 

[FireZingr]

I also have this weird sound that seems to come from the passenger side wheel. Replaced the wheel bearing/hub assembly today and still have that darn whirring helicopter sound. Any other ideas? When I go around a right hand turn the sound disappears when going straight or turning left it is there?????? It is a very loud whirring/humming type sound that really doesn't vibrate anything much but is really annoying and LOUD!

 

[FordTony]

I had the same problem with mine. Hub Bearings go bad on all explorers its a cronic problem. If both of your front bearings have been replaced and it still makes the noise, the problem may be the bearings inside the front diff. that was what was wrong with mine. its not cheap either

 

[FireZingr]

If both of your front bearings have been replaced and it still makes the noise, the problem may be the bearings inside the front diff. that was what was wrong with mine. its not cheap either

Would that stop making the noise when going around a right hand turn and also make the ABS light stay? on I am going to replace the left wheel bearing hub later this week to see if that stops the noise. I am hoping that maybe both bearings were bad it was out of alignment really bad since I replaced the tie rod end and never had it aligned so maybe that caused them both to go bad together.

 

[FordTony]

well a bad alignment will cause bearings to go faster.... to answer about the abs light.....the abs sensor is part of the hub bearing assembly so it may solve that problem...also you may need to have your abs comuter reset.....its not likley but ive seen that happen.......the fact that the sound only happens when your turning makes me think that it is the hub bearing......if your bearings in the diff are bad you will hear it all the time.

 

[FireZingr]

No the sound goes completely away when I make a right hand turn. Going straight or turning left the whirring sound is still present. I changed the right wheel bearing but the sound still persists so I am now going to change the left one. And yeah my alignment wasn't even close, let go of the wheel and it would almost jerk you to the right immediately I found a wheel bearing hub assembly on EBay for $80 including shipping made by Federal Mogul hat's about $100 cheaper than the one I got made by Timken.

 

[FordTony]

yea thats a good price the ones i put on my truck from napa were $189........also make sure that your tires didnt wear prematurely on the inner or outer edge ... if they did your allignment wont be right. you can only properly align a car whos tires are evenly worn........ if your not sure take a penny and stick it in the treds on different parts of the tire from left to right and see if the hight changes...... if its only alittle off its ok but if the diference is more than lincoln's head you need new tires in the front to align it

 

[Bigg_billy]

Someone suggested taking the front shaft out to see if the noise goes away, is that an option?

Bill

 

[saewoody]

Someone suggested taking the front shaft out to see if the noise goes away, is that an option?

Bill

You can take the front shaft out, however, I'm not sure that will tell you anything about the bearings. If the problem is in the differential removing the shaft may give you a clue.

 

[FireZingr]

Replaced the left bearing and all is quiet and smooth now. Going to get aligned next so maybe this won't happen soon again.

 

[Hokie]

Someone suggested taking the front shaft out to see if the noise goes away, is that an option?

Bill

NO - DO NOT try to drive without the CV's in or without the spindle nut on. You will pull the wheel hub/bearing assembly apart in a matter of feet. You will hear a horrible griding noise and the wheel will be sitting like \\ instead of || (Don't ask me how I know )

 

[daffy]

NO - DO NOT try to drive without the CV's in or without the spindle nut on. You will pull the wheel hub/bearing assembly apart in a matter of feet. You will hear a horrible griding noise and the wheel will be sitting like \\ instead of || (Don't ask me how I know )

HAHAHAHA!!!! Sorry to laugh at your mistake, but man I know that feeling...