Droning Front when driving

[hillk]

This sounds similar to previous posts , but the problem has not been solved in all cases.
Mine has a low pitch noise/drone @ 10-20 mph, it is less noisy but continues at a higher pitch going 30, 40 ,50 etc. Sound also has a slight rise/fall pulsing sound to it. Noise continues at all speeds, just more or less noisy, even when slipped into neutral or coasting. It has probably been coming on for a while but I've been noticing it for about a week. At first it sounded like snow tire hum, but I don't have snow tires.
Last night I supported the front end on jack stands under the welded tabs on the lower swingarms. I could not detect any roughness or noise or excessive play in anything.
Like has been suggested in past posts, I am leaning toward wheel hub beariings or front wheel cv half-shafts. But don't want to just shoot in the dark.
any help would br greatly appreciated. Ken

 

[Garfield]

just curious if you have had any luck figuring out the problem. my friend has the same problem in his blazer and i was looking for some insight on here...

 

[hillk]

Droning - Same Problem

Yes I fixed the problen, it was nor real easy to be sure what it was but after lreading info on this site and my best guess I thought it most likely to be the left front wheel Bearing/Hub. It was I'm happy nto say - so all fixed.

 

[jgeist]

I'm new to this forum seeking a response to the same symptoms that recently developed on my 2003 Mountaineer V-8 AWD @ 70,000 miles. The truck just had major servicing at two different dealers that included frt & rr axle flushes, transfer case flush, lower ball joints, alignment, rear axle (anti-slip) clutch replacement, power steering flush, transfer case output seal replacement (seal was damaged when the drive shaft was removed I suspect) and more! It drove like NEW for ~ 1 week, then a slight vibration began to develop when the steering wheel was slightly moved off-center left and right. The vibration has started to become a hum, just like tire noise. Tire pressure was a little high, so I adjusted it to spec 30/35 and the hum reduced a little, but it's still apparent and very noticable when driving the truck after having driven a different vehicle. I suspect one or both front wheel hubs is starting to give out, maybe damaged when the lower ball joints were replaced? Oh yeah, I also suspect that one of the dealers robbed my 134a refrigerant while the truck was in as a) it was just checked late last season - broken wire to compressor, b) weather hadn't warmed up yet in Detroit when the truck was picked up so I didn't notice it right away, c) I'm R12 and 134a certified and have the equipment to service mobile A/C systems - the system was dead empty, held vacuum overnight with no loss - no leaks. d) both dealers were very eager to provide a loaner so they could keep the truck overnight. This was my company provided lease car that I recently purchased - I've driven it since day one - history well know.

 

[blkjk78]

Mine is doing the same thing - 99 xlt - I've been told it's the transfer case. I'm am absolutely clueless when it comes to working on any type of front end parts - so I don't know if the whole transfer case needs to be replaced or just the motor. Have you received any help from your post? If so, can ya help me out??
I just had $800 worth of brake work done today with the thought that there was an extremely small possibility that it would help - no luck - but I got good brakes now

I just need to see what I need to buy so that I can have someone do the transfer case thing as I'm sure it would result in a hefty bill should I bring it to the dealer or something.

As for the "symptoms" - about three months ago, the car started making a noise that seemed at times to be coming from the center on the floor but at times almost like it was coming from the driveshaft. It started as a rapid thump but has now progressed to a "tinny" kind of sound, especially when going up hills and it also is making a noise that I can only describe as a stick-shift car in reverse. So if you or anyone else has any ideas about how to fix it, I would REALLY appreciate it.

Thanks!
-Pat
blkjk78@aim.com
pddvorak@comcast.net

 

[hillk]

Reply blkjk78

Pat,

I am no mechanical wizard (but mech. inclined) and if you follow this thread you will see I finally was successful replacing my left front wheel bearing which proved clearly to be the source of my droning & slight low rumble. I appologize if I say anything offensive but if you are "clueless" on front end stuff this can be a tough issue to diagnose. Because, again as you will see on this site (on this Droning issue), many people have found it to be a wheel bearing and others have change the wheel bearings, ball joints and more and still not found the problem of their noise. I strongly advise either through your friends , people on this site, possibly the folks at AutoZone, spend the time on "Diagnosis" not just replacing parts.
My noise was very elusiveto diagnos, sounded like in the middle of the Explorer, or even the right bearing. Finally I jacked each wheel off of the ground by the swingarm (A-frame) and spun the wheels as hard as I could by hand, I found a slight roughness/rumble in the left front wheel bearing. Lengthy story but hope it helps, Good Luck. Ken

 

[blkjk78]

No offense taken at all - I really appreciate the advice. I didn't plan on replacing anything until I had somewhat of a clue as to what was wrong. But as I said in the post, basically anyone who's heard it/drove it has said the transfer case, so that's why I was kinda stuck on that. But with your advice, I'm going to run it into the shop to have it looked over to figure out what is wrong THEN start replacing parts.
Thanks for the help bud!
-pd-

 

[jgeist]

I checked the Ford Service Manual on how to check the front wheel bearings: jack up so front wheels are off the ground and support the vehicle on jack stands. Pry the front disc brakes pads away from the rotors (create some clearance). Grab the front tire at the 6 and 12 o'clock position and while lifting the tire to remove the weight from the bearing, pull the assembly in and out. If ANY end-play (slop) is felt, the bearing should be replaced. I plan to check mine this weekend.

 

[ExplorerDMB]

Yes I fixed the problen, it was nor real easy to be sure what it was but after lreading info on this site and my best guess I thought it most likely to be the left front wheel Bearing/Hub. It was I'm happy nto say - so all fixed.

only another reason why to become elite. The advertising on this site is getting so abundent because people won't help out after they are helped out. Think of it this way - what if you didn't have this site when you had your issue?

-Drew

 

[jgeist]

Well I finally got the opportunity to check my front wheel bearings per the shop manual directions. I found it necessary to remove the front wheels to pry the brake pads away from the rotors. After reinstalling and torquing the wheels I checked for end play in the bearings, but did not feel any, and they also seemed to rotate smoothly. I plan to replace the bearings anyway as I'm pretty sure that's the problem from the "feel" in the truck while driving. While on the lift I did locate a coolant leak just behind the Right Front tire - the aluminum coolant tube going to the rear heater had corroded under the small rubber clamp and a pin-hole developed. I guess road salt had accumulated between the clamp and the tube as it's right in the spash path. I tried to temporarily patch it with JB Weld, but the coolant kept pushing thru. Then I wrapped the area with electrical tape and installed a screw clamp over it, now it's leaking worse! I plan to cut out the corroded section and splice back together with a picec of hose. Too bad I just had the dealer flush and change the coolant!

 

['97 V8]

I recerntly called ford and asked them how much it was to change a hub assembly....after i did it myself..and they wanted 800-900 bucks. I saved 650-750 bucks alone on that issue and it is more than enough for me to keep supporting the site. You will realise that the site fee pays for itself with solving your problems. Im not coercing anyone to join but just a friendly reminder