front end noise

[devil driver]

just bought my first explorer. its a 96 xlt with 5.0 and awd. it has 133000 miles on it. the noise i am hearing i thought was the tires but when i go around a left curve it goes away and when i let off the gas at highway speed it gets louder. any ideas what it might be before i take it to a mechanic. i can repair it myself if its not to bad.

 

[tsilney]

Sounds like a wheel bearing. If you make a left turn and it goes away, the drivers side bearing is bad. They are not to hard to replace if you are mechanical. There are lots of threads on it.

 

[devil driver]

thanks for the quick response. i will check it out, but it doesnt quite sound like a wheel bearing. i am feeling something when i accelerate but i dont know what is normal for an awd.

 

[kovacs32]

thanks for the quick response. i will check it out, but it doesnt quite sound like a wheel bearing. i am feeling something when i accelerate but i dont know what is normal for an awd.

I think i get the same sound/feeling your talking about, its almost like a whirring type noise?? i have replaced evertyhing in the front endand still have the noise, i assume its jus the front driveline noise.

 

[devil driver]

mine is more of a roar, and i cant pinpoint which side its coming from. actually sounds like both sides in the front. may take it to my nearby ford dealer and let the service dept. drive it. they dont usually charge me for that.

 

[devil driver]

ok i lifted the right front wheel off the ground and i have a small amount of in/out play, but after i turn the tire back and forth a few times it goes away. the driver side has no play at all. i am also getting mixed opinions about which side is making the noise. on other vehicles i have had, when the left one was bad and i turn left the noise goes away because you are shifting weight to the right side.

 

[devil driver]

also found a little play in the two axles, should there be any at all? my front tires are leaning a little out at the bottom, lower ball joints i guess. it drives straight down the road and no unusual wear on the tires. thought i was getting a good deal when i bought it, but if i have to replace most of the front end not looking like such a good deal after all.

 

[devil driver]

took my ex to the ford dealer today for a road test then they put it up on the rack. it is the right front bearing that is bad and the tire lean on drivers side is bad upper balljoint. getting the upper control arm made by moog for $97 and the hub made by ntp for $145.99 from advance. would replace more but just cant afford it now. unemployment benefits dont pay well.