Cracking noise from front wheels?!

[edward1985]

I own a 2001 ford explorer xlt. its abit different! its a right hand drive
The car has only 23.000km up (i think thats like 12,000miles approx) and for the majority of the life of the car there has been a cracking noise coming from the front wheels when locked. i did some reseach and found some information on CV joints and them cracking. Ive taken it back to ford and they sad they needed regreasing, but i believe it could be more than that.
The car is almost 5 yrs old and has only 12,000 miles on and is garaged 50weeks of the year and never taken out. Has anyone had a similar problem or experience?

Edward

 

[jimbo74]

welcome to the site... unless the boots are damaged on the cvs there is no need for them to be regreased... are you talking about a loud whining noise when the wheel is fully locked to one side? if so, the wheel should be let off at that point as the power steering cannot handle a burst of pressure like that and eventually the pump will fail..... its very hard to describe noises over the internet and have an accurate diagnosis....

 

[TPLYNCH]

In a full lock, it could be the auto 4x4 kicking in if you have that feature.

 

[edward1985]

I know the whirring noise you are refering to when at full lock. Its not that noise, the noise could be described as like that of cracking a dry wooden branch or stick in half, but it happens about 2 times a second, depending on the speed of the car.Ford just said there was no grease. Ive had so many warranty problems with the car so far. Rear boot handles breaking, the tyres but i cant blame ford, a burnt out motor in the seat which ford australia claimed to be the only one like it they have seen, rattling noises everywhere. im worried its going to start costing alot of money to maintain when its out of warranty. any comments of people having similar problems?