Explorer Road Noise Turning Left

[Lance720]

I need some help with my 92 XL. When driving down the road at anything over 30Km/hr I'm getting a road noise similiar to that of a aggresive mud tire (which I do not have). If I turn left it gets worse and if I turn right it goes away.

It has been through two mechanics (or in this case parts replacers) over the past year. One replaced the left side u-joint and bearings in the front end (not wheel bearings) and the second has replaced the radius arm bushing. Both when finished informed me that else eg ball joints were fine.

Has anyone had a similiar problem and if so how did you remedy it. I loosing my marbles with this as it has been a year.

Almost forgot, I replaced the outer left tie rod end before the two mechanics started working on it.

I couldnt turn up anything similiar with the search function. Hope you can help.
Lance

 

[Big Nick]

check the front driveshaft.

 

[dejello]

I'd say check your passenger side wheel bearings up front..

 

[Lance720]

All of that was apparently checked. When my wife returns home from work I will however take another look.
Some thing to add, the front tires were replaced with news after the last repair and the noise has persisted.
When it started it was only noticable above 100kmph and has gotten worse over time.

...also I did not mean in my post to call all mechanics parts replacers. I have great respect for the people in this profession. I am however disappointed with the last two shops to work on my explorer as a simple road test would have shown they had not fixed the problem.

 

[dejello]

In all honesty, i've never heard of a radius arm bushing making that kind of sound. From what i've heard, they clunk (as mine did). So I'm not too sure about that shop. Give those bearings a little looksy, maybe slab a little grease on there if they look short on it or replace replace them completely if they look bad/worn. If that's not the problem, then I'm not sure what it could be at this time. Are the tires wearing good? or did someone sneak some M/Ts on there without you knowing?

 

[cammer]

I would agree with dejello on the wheel bearing.

have seen many different types of suv or mpvs with a similar noise and usually is the wheel bearings.

when turning left you are putting more pressure on the right side ( momentarily ) and that is how you are getting the noise, Also with these bearings they are not always loose when they make noise so by jacking up the vehicle and checking for play you dont always find it that way.

good luck with your problem hope you get it straight

 

[Lance720]

Thanks for your replies,

I've decided to replace the wheel bearings and while it's apart check the ball joints. I will likely replace them as welll as this is a high milage vehicle.

Thanks again
Lance

 

[romar]

Similar problem here...

Time to bump this thread. Let me run this by you guys. My '94 X has a similar noise, but only intermittantly. At first it started out sounding like a right side wheel bearing. Going straight down the road it would hum, cut the wheel to the right, gone. I replaced the bearings on both sides and the noise was gone for a day, but came right back, then it was gone again Now the hum is starting to get a bit more intense(still intermittant though, thats what really bugs me!)...and now it only hums making turns. I am now starting to think it could be the spindle bearings & too much grease in the auto hubs??. Well, I ripped apart the right side this morning and the only thing that does not seem alright is the outer u-joint on the right side. It's extremley stiff. I'm planning to go right through both sides and replace the u-joints & spindle bearings. How about the bearing in the auto hub? Anyone replaced them before? Since it's my wifes ride I'd rather not swap to manual hubs. Any other ideas?

BTW Lance, did the wheel bearings solve your problem?

Rob