Front left wheel noise

[Nicholes Stanley]

I recently noticed a noise coming from the front left tire of my 97 explorer xlt awd. I checked the brakes and they were good. Then I replaced the hub assembly, and made sure my differential had fluid. It is still making a growling noise. Did I need to grease the new hub, or is my cv axle bad

 

[RandomNerd2000]

Likely a bad CV axle, if your brakes were sticking, you'd know it, you'd have a nasty pull to the left.

 

[Nicholes Stanley]

Likely a bad CV axle, if your brakes were sticking, you'd know it, you'd have a nasty pull to the left.

That is my next step but I have never replaced one before any advice

 

[RandomNerd2000]

The nut that goes on the hub side, it's recommended to replace it. Most people get a pry bad in between the axle and the differential to pop the clip loose holding it in the differential, or a big screw driver, be prepared for some differential fluid to leak out, that's typical. Here's a thread on it.

http://www.explorerforum.com/forums/index.php?threads/cv-axle-replacement-how-to-pictures.187964/