Front End Noise

[ExplorerV6]

Ever since I bought my Ex it's made a loud humming noise that starts at around 30mph and drops off at around 50. If I take a sharp right while going these speeds than the noise goes away, but If I go sharp left nothhing seems to change. Any ideas, or should I just invest in a good set of earplugs?

 

[James909]

It sounds to me like the passenger side wheel bearings are bad. If you are going at highway speed and do a quick lane change to the left (safely!) do you hear the noise?

 

[ExplorerV6]

The noise pretty much goes away after I hit 50, so the highway is ok, but when I take a quick left at 40 the noise is still there. I was suspecting a wheel bearing after a few things I read on the site. Is there any way to get a more definite diagnosis?

 

[James909]

To double check to make sure that your wheel bearings are bad jack up one of the front tires (I would check both, but start with the passenger side because that seems to be the offending bearing) then grab the wheel at 12 and 6 o'clock. Try to rock the tire and feel for any play. If you feel any play then you have found the problem. If the ball joints were bad you would be able to feel play as well so this only helps to narrow down the cause of the noise. But it is the only way that I know of to check the bearings without actually pulling the wheel hubs. If you feel play then the bearings are most likely worn.

 

[ExplorerV6]

Thanks James. The ball joints were just replaced a couple thousand miles ago, so if there is play than it will be the wheel bearing. I searched the site but all I could find is how to replace the front hub assembly ( http://www.explorerforum.com/forums/showthread.php?p=1499844#post1499844 ). Once the hub assembly is off, what do I do from there to replace the bearing?

 

[joshtypesn]

You could also spin the tire by hand to see if there is any resistance such as breaks catching or something rubbing. this will also let you know if the bearings are running smoothly

 

[James909]

Thanks James. The ball joints were just replaced a couple thousand miles ago, so if there is play than it will be the wheel bearing. I searched the site but all I could find is how to replace the front hub assembly ( http://www.explorerforum.com/forums/showthread.php?p=1499844#post1499844 ). Once the hub assembly is off, what do I do from there to replace the bearing?

Hopefully someone else can confirm this because I am not 100% sure. But I believe that unfortunately the hub and bearings are all one unit. Therefore to replace the bearings you would need to replace the whole hub assembly like in the thread you linked.

 

[AMMO_HOOAH]

That's correct they're all one unit, and kinda spendy too.

 

[ExplorerV6]

So, the bearings are inside the hub assembly and to replace them I will need to replace the whole assembly? Just trying to understand a little better before I start this.

 

[joshtypesn]

Yes, on the fronts you need to remove and replace the whole hub assembly if the bearings are bad.

 

[James909]

Yep, the bearings are inside the hub so you have to replace the entire hub. Basically what was done in that how-to article is exactly what you have to do.

 

[ExplorerV6]

Thanks everyone for the info, now I just need to find the time to do it.

 

[JoeMahma]

So, the bearings are inside the hub assembly and to replace them I will need to replace the whole assembly? Just trying to understand a little better before I start this.

On the bright side, when you replace the bearing assembly I believe it comes with a new ABS sensor as well. Good luck.

 

[chapsdeva]

It definitely sounds like the wheel bearing. I had the exact same symptoms with my 91 Riviera and it turned out to be the bearing/hub assembly. Good luck!

 

[ExplorerV6]

I just jacked it up to check for play in the tire, tried to rock it at 12 and 6 but it seemed like there was no play. When I rotated the tire I felt some rubbing that I think was the brakes rubbing on the rotors(they seem to be warped because the brakes pulse a little when used). Could this or the fact that I need an alignment contribute to the noise or problem?

 

[ExplorerV6]

I could not thoroughly diagnose the problem from some of the symptoms described here, so I ended up bringing it into the shop and they replaced the wheel bearing like you guys said.
Thanks for the help and advice.

 

[James909]

Glad you got the problem fixed.

 

[ZBlackBeast]

When my wheel bearing went bad my whole wheel shook and it was scary to be driving 70 and then later that day find out my wheel bearing was bad!!