Front end humming/vibration

[sabresfan]

I have a 99 Ranger 4X4 with 127K miles. I have a loud humming coming from the front end while driving. I can also feel the slight vibration on my feet. I realize with the high mileage the easy answer is to replace the hub assembly but I am hoping to identify which side. The sound goes away completely when turning to the right. I changed the passenger side and the sounds did NOT go away. Before I swap out the drivers side, can anyone give me some other ideas as to what it could be? It's at it's loudest around 30-35 mph, goes away when I turn right and has gotten progessively worse over the last year or so. The truck has new tires and the passenger side hub assembly has been replaced. Are there other bearings behind the half shafts inside the assembly that may need to be replaced? I am just trying to find out how many sets of bearings there are in the front end. There does not appear to be any "play" when testing the wheel bearings by doing the old wheel bearing test.

Thanks in advance!

 

[BrooklynBay]

Welcome to this forum! Did you rotate the tires? Even though they are new, it's possible that it's not balanced or it could have a belt shift problem.

 

[sabresfan]

Yes and it still makes the noise, but thank you for your advice!

 

[603snowtrails]

my 95 explorer had a humming problem. needed a new intake so i got a k&n

 

[FireZingr]

Did you get it fixed? I had the exact same problem changed Passenger side wheel bearing hub and it did not go away so I changed the drivers side and all was well again.

 

[jeremyc653]

i had same problem took it to a shop they said wheel bearing hub passanger side but if the passanger side is about to go might as well replace drivers side

 

[geeltee]

1993 Bronco front end vibration

I have the same vibration problem at 200K miles. It has a patterned resonate sound that is loudest at around 40mph you can feel it best on the passenger side floor board. I replaced inner/outer front wheel bearings both sides, differential fluid and rotated my new Michelin's. Nothing changed. It is more noticeable when turning right???

 

[joshtypesn]

Differential pinion bearning was the culprit on my explorer, bought a rebuild kit from eric and had it installed and now she runs quiet.

 

[chapsdeva]

This sounds exactly the same as the issue I had on a 91 Riviera. The sound would go away when I turned the wheel right. Turned out to be the passenger side front hub assembly. Since you have already replaced your passenger side one, My guess is that it's the driver's side.

 

[98EdBomber]

Differential pinion bearning was the culprit on my explorer, bought a rebuild kit from eric and had it installed and now she runs quiet.

I realize this thread is old and dead but do you remember where you bought your rebuild kit from? I have the exact same hum coming from the rear and Im almost sure its the pinion gear. Driveline shop down the street wants $800. How difficult of a job is it to do? Im rather handy with tools. Thanks if you read this!

 

[BrooklynBay]

I think he's referring to Eric Auto Parts. He was a vendor from NJ on this site a while ago.

 

[98EdBomber]

I think he's referring to Eric Auto Parts. He was a vendor from NJ on this site a while ago.

Oh I see. Thanks for replying. While Ive got your attention. Ive been thinking that my rear end whine/hum could be fixed by replacing the driveshaft carrier bearing. Any idea if this may be the fix or would you put your money on the differential parts? It doesnt do it more or less while turning and it starts to get a little louder with speed. Its not REALLY bad but I definitely hear it. I changed the dif oil out(which didnt look burnt and no shavings, etc.) and added friction modifier and it didnt quite down so thats why im guessing the carrier bearing.

 

[shadowless127]

it's a ring and pinion.

 

[98EdBomber]

it's a ring and pinion.

Well I just jacked it up and ran the engine in gear (SAFELY OF COURSE) and with a stethoscope the noise is clearly coming from the differential. I would have to agree with you on this one.

Also, on a side note, my older model 98' 2WD doesnt have a carrier bearing (driveshaft support) on the driveshaft that I can see. I saw a few videos that mentioned this same whining noise and they mentioned the carrier bearing. All I see is a u-joint on both ends. Was this a change for the newer models or is it 4WD specific?

BTW, What would be the going rate for the ring and pinion repair? So I dont get royally screwed on this one. Thanks for the advice guys!

 

[BrooklynBay]

Check WWW.Drivetrain.Com.