front end noise

[Ryan1]

I have an ocelating noise coming from the front somewhere (which increases and decreases with speeed). I replaced the wheel bearings twice I replaced the bearings in the spindle. I cant figure it out my mechanic cant figure it out.


When Im driving down the freeway it sounds like a bearing is going out. you can even feel it in the floor boad. If i jack up the front end and spin the tires every thing feels smooth.

Could it be my tires? they are about 5 years old 32x11.50 regal all terrains they have about half tread left and there are some dry rot looking cracks inbetween the treads


Im stumped and wanna know what this noise is. any help or suggestions would be appreciated.

Ryan

 

[IZwack]

joo try removing the driveshaft and taking it out for a spin?
joo check for play at the differential's input?

 

[Ryan1]

joo try removing the driveshaft and taking it out for a spin?
joo check for play at the differential's input?

I dont think the front driveshaft turns when im in 2wd, I think i had my buddy check. and he said it wasnt spinning.

front diff is tight and ujoints are good
Ryan

 

[scott_gunn]

I have a very similar noise in my Explorer. The dealership is checking it out so I'll let you know what they find. My noise starts at about 55mph and is a very low pitched vibration type of noise that increases with speed. The bearings checked out ok. They think it's coming from the transmission area but don't have any more details right now.

 

[Ryan1]

I have a very similar noise in my Explorer. The dealership is checking it out so I'll let you know what they find. My noise starts at about 55mph and is a very low pitched vibration type of noise that increases with speed. The bearings checked out ok. They think it's coming from the transmission area but don't have any more details right now.

Thanks

 

[IZwack]

I dont think the front driveshaft turns when im in 2wd, I think i had my buddy check. and he said it wasnt spinning.

but they do turn when ur explorer is moving even though ur in 2WD.. unless of course u checked when u had all 4 wheels up in the air

front diff is tight and ujoints are good

well since ur absolutely positive that the joints are good i would probably raise the entire vehicle up so that all 4 tires are up in the air (on a lift preferably), and have some1 get the drivetrain moving via the gas pedal.. u of course, can then get under and listen for that sound u described.. in particular, as u know, check the transfer case, the transmission, the differential, and of course, the wheel bearings.

 

[Ryan1]

I have lockout hubs. I drove it down the street and my buddy watched and said the D-shaft and the axel shafts werent moving.
Ill double check that. thanks for the info so far

Ryan

 

[exploded99]

I think ruling out your tires would be a smart move. See if you can find a set to borrow and swap onto your truck for a test drive - they may be some of your noise. All terrains often get noiser as tread wears down. Put on a set of passenger highway type tires.

 

[scott_gunn]

Or, if you can definitely tell the noise is coming from the front, rotate your tires and see if the location of the noise changes.

My transmission is being torn apart right now for my noise. Still no details on the exact cause or fix yet.

 

[falls guy]

I am going through the exact same thing right now. I also have manual hubs and the axleshaft does not spin when in 2wd and the hubs are unlocked, yet still the noise. I also replaced the inner and outer berings with no improvement. I think 410 Fortune nailed it for me though. He thinks I tightened the preload on the bearings too much. I haven't had a chance to try fixin it yet. I can't wait to have the time to try this.
Peace

 

[scott_gunn]

After a brief phone conversation with someone in the service department, they said the problem was with the planetary gear, and it's being replaced. I'll pick it up tomorrow and try to get more details as well as find out if the noise is really gone or not.

I kinda got the feeling that they didn't know exactly what was causing the noise and just decided that they thought it was coming from the transmission so they would tear it apart, look for problems, put it back together and hope for the best.

 

[jimbo74]

izwack.... ryans explroer is a first gen... the front driveline doesnt move on those if the tcase is in 4x2 ... the front driveshaft only moves if in 4x4

 

[IZwack]

rahah oh SNAP! my bad

 

[zhanx]

ok i had the same problem.. i got use to it (only on my 00 xls) i changed the drivers side ball joint and i lost it go fig.

 

[IZwack]

changed the drivers side ball joint and i lost it go fig.

ball joints usually pop when making very slow turns.. not at highway speeds (most ppl here describe above 50 mph) and they usually dont oscillate relative to speed.

 

[zhanx]

it only did it on mine from 60-70 and then once in a while above that( never really go above 75). but today on the highway (changed the ball joint yesterday) i noticed it was gone.. lots of problems different solutions.. just an idea before tearing apart a trany or a transfer.. and mine did it even with the front driveshaft out.. what i changed then gave up

sway bar bushings
wheel bearings
pads and rotors

 

[IZwack]

it oscillated?

 

[zhanx]

yes, i didn't expect the ball joint repair from h@ll to fix that problem but it did.. granted the thing was shot, but still it was a ball joint not a rotating part in the drive line i thought for sure it was the drive shaft, or when i regeared i messed up something. but after the ball joint it was gone. i like i said go figure.. something that shouldn't fix it did.

 

[Mbrooks420]

Sure, the ball joint should have fixed it. The ball joint was allowing the wheel to kick in and out as the ball moved around in the socket. At high speeds it was audible.

Ryan1, I would assume that your old tires are causing this. I have had a similar noise with every set of tires I have worn out on my Explorers. In fact I am dealing with it now, and it is driving me nuts.

 

[Ryan1]

Thanks, im buyin new tires this week. BFG All terrains. I think they are a better tire anyways

Ryan