Drivetrain vibration-help

[jwils]

Hi all,

I’m getting a vibration while accelerating. Specs are:
1999 Explorer Eddie Bauer
4.0L SOHC
Full time 4WD (4x4 auto, 4H, 4L
192k

It started vibrating during acceleration about a week ago. Just before that, it was a chirp that got faster as I drove. Chirping changed to vibration. Also, it gets very noticable between 30 and 40 mph especially in the steering wheel. At highway speed, there is a hum that pulses every 2-3 sec(thinking hub bearing assy).

Whille parked, i grabbed the cv shaft and tried to rotate it. Passenger did not budge but the driver side has a bit of play(thinking cv axle)

I jacked up the drivers side so the tire is about 3” in the air, stuck a long pry bar under the tire and lifted. I could feel and hear quite a bit of play so I bought the hub assembly and did the swap. Once complete, while backing it out the steering wheel would shudder during turning. Maybe because I was turning the wheel with the car off to get at the bolts. Drove it around the parking lot a bit doing circles and eventually it went away. Drove about a mile and everything felt great. No hum or vibration. Drove back to the shop to double check wheel lugs and started driving home. Vidbration came back with a vengence!

I did not torque the hub nut as someone borrowed the torque wrench. Figured 3 miles home doing no more that 45 would be okay. Plan on applying the correct torgue in the morning.

Any input would be greatly appreciated!

-john

 

[puzzaa]

If not the wheel bearings check the boots on the ball joints and tie rods. Also look at the motor mounts.

 

[jwils]

That all appears good. I exchanged the wheel bearing as bad and the problem disappeared. After about 11 miles, the vibration is starting to come back but not as bad yet.

 

[boominXplorer]

Check your u-joints while the truck is in neural and parking brake set or wheels chocked