Front end noise

[terryo1965]

Hi,
I have a 2005 Explorer with 95,000 miles on it. I am starting to hear a noise from the front axle. It is a pretty constant whinning sound, but it seems to get a little bit louder when I am coming to a stop. If I am driving straight and turn the wheel slightly to the left the sound will stop, then start again when I straighten out. I checked the axle shafts and found that I was leaking grease from the pass side where the shaft goes in the axle tube, but CV boot looks fine. After I drove it I checked the axle shafts again and the end that goes in the axle tube on the pass side was too hot to touch, and the driver side was slightly warm. I thought the axle shaft was starting to go but it seems like everyone has wheel bearing problems with these trucks. Anybody have any thoughts on this?
Thanks in advance.
Terry

 

[DLinkOZ]

Does turning to the right make it louder?

 

[terryo1965]

No, it just comes back the same

 

[BobbyM]

i am having the same issue it would seem. i have had my 99 v8 awd explorer in the garage twice in the past two weeks for this loud growl from the front end,they changed the pass side hub and lower ball joint. noise did not change. when going around a right bend it almost stops,then straighten out and its back!!i have tried the following:removal off the front drive shaft: no change. the garage changed the hub and ball joint on pass side:no change. checked fluid levels everywhere,they were good!
truck has almost 170000,sound like a failing front diff to you guys???

 

[imp]

i am having the same issue it would seem. i have had my 99 v8 awd explorer in the garage twice in the past two weeks for this loud growl from the front end,they changed the pass side hub and lower ball joint. noise did not change. when going around a right bend it almost stops,then straighten out and its back!!i have tried the following:removal off the front drive shaft: no change. the garage changed the hub and ball joint on pass side:no change. checked fluid levels everywhere,they were good!
truck has almost 170000,sound like a failing front diff to you guys???

Since driveshaft removal did not affect noise, it would not seem to be related to the loads imposed by moving the vehicle. That fact, IMO, rules out failing ring & pinion gears. But, when making right turn, more torque is carried by the RH axle than the LH; for that reason, I suspect possible LH differential support bearing is shot. So, yes, to me it sounds like differential trouble. imp

 

[BobbyM]

that makes alot of sense.i had suspected the right side axle bearing and just completely tore down to that point! it was good as far as i could tell. i'm having trouble finding the listing anywhere for this bearing.(any help on that?) a local junkyard has a diff the correct ratio 69k-98k on it for 160+tax pulled.considering grabbing this and just replacing it.....any suggestions guys, this truck has almost 170k on it but is clean as can be underneath so its worth the money to fix it right, some guys at advance wrong parts claim cv,but in my experience that sounds nothing like a cv,correct??

 

[terryo1965]

I was going to bite the bullet and replace both wheel bearings on mine. I never even considered that the problem might be in the diff. I don't think my CV's are bad, I have always heard clicking sounds with CV problems and mine is more of a growl. Let me know if the diff bearing works for you.

 

[BobbyM]

Thanks To imp,straightening out my backwards logic,haha,i tore apart the drivers side and found a failing hub.!!!!!!!!!! awesome its changed and truck is quiet as can be!! i love this forum.

 

[imp]

I was going to bite the bullet and replace both wheel bearings on mine. I never even considered that the problem might be in the diff. I don't think my CV's are bad, I have always heard clicking sounds with CV problems and mine is more of a growl. Let me know if the diff bearing works for you.

You are right, in my experience, about CV noises. A growl or "grumbling" type sound is typical of a differential support tapered roller bearing having developed chipped rollers or embedments in the raceway.

But Bobby's problem turned out to be OUTSIDE the differential, lucky him!

Wish there were some very defining way to describe the differences in failed bearings, but the English language is limited in that respect! imp

 

[billybob3358]

i have a 01 mercury mountaineer i have replaced front axle seals both lower ball joints and inner tie rod ends i still have this loud whining and growling noise and it pulls bad to the left new tire i cant figure out wat is doing it it get louder if i accelerate and if i let of the gas it gets quiter any sugestions

 

[rurso684]

I had the same problem with my 03 sport trac last month with the same sounds. I brought it to a mechanic and he said it was the front HUB wheel bearings wich were under my bumper to bumper warrenty.

He said this is a common problem with all explorers and it happens with 80k-100k.

Let me know how it works out for you

 

[fornetti14]

When you lift the truck off the ground is the wheel hard to turn or can you move it up and down? I have this sound but both wheel bearings seem to be OK when I check them for play.