Front end roar

[sublime31]

I have a 1996 4x4 Explorer with 126,000 miles . It has just recently started making a roaring noise from the front. I noticed that it goes away when I go into a left turn. First thought was that it was a cv joint problem. Jacked it up one side at a time and spun the wheels, no noise. Also checked for worn wheel bearings, no movement , seems normal. Any suggestions ?

 

[dr fildo]

Sounds to me like a hub assembly or the bearings in one of the front wheels. I recently had the same problem and it worked like a champ. From what I have read on these forums, when you load the wheel with weight, like during a left turn the right side receives the weight transfer of the turning vehicle, the sound will decrease. I would look at the right front wheel bearing/hub. Of course, I'm no expert and I may have that backward. Mine is a 99 AWD, and the hub assembly comes as one piece . Was pretty easy to replace.

Please read up a little more on these forums. You'll find the answer.

 

[96eb96]

These bearings can make noise with no play or little noise if you rotate them unloaded.
They get debris inside. Not saying that is your issue (tire noise could be a culprit (rotate them) or something else) but I could barely hear the radio before I replaced them (around 130k).

 

[sublime31]

Thanks Dr Fildo and 96eb96 , that is some useful information. I will start with the bearings and go from there.

 

[SoNic67]

If sound changes while in turn is definitely the hub bearings.
When you turn LEFT, the vehicle inertia loads more the RIGHT hub and unloads the LEFT one.
So, in turning left makes it quiet, probably the faulty hub is on left side. I would change both anyway.

 

[reynoldsohio]

Greetings,
I've replaced both hubs (on my 06, Explorer, EBE, v6, 2wd with 140k miles - original owner) - three times and I still have a roaring sound. I'm rotating tires next to see if new tires last spring is the culprit. At least I got the ABS lights to turn off with the new hub (last sensor was faulty).