Grinding Like Noise

[chetzar]

When i'm braking in my explorer and going downhill or comming to a slow stop, it sounds like something is almost grinding. Its not quite grinding, more like a mix between ABS and a grinding noise. Have any of you experienced this before, and if so, do you have any ideas as to what it could/probably is? I doubt its the brakes or calipers, I have recently replaced both (less than 1k miles on them). The sound is comming from the front, it dosen't happen all the time, but makes me worry when it does. I'm sure this can't be good for my truck.
Also, do you guys drive in Over Drive, or just Drive, and as a Daily Driver should I use Over Drive or Drive? Is one better or worse on gas mileage/harder on the engine?
Thanks,
John

 

[eureka24]

I think im having the same issue, im almost sure its the bearing's in need of grease but its only been 2 months since they were packed. Idk.


we need some posts here pls?

 

[chetzar]

U-Joints

Buddy of mine had this same noise comming from his Jimmy when he was breaking, He told me it ended up being his U-Joints, So i'm having them looked at tommrow along with my front suspension when I get my car aligned. My dad drove my car, said it could be my front suspension, hopefully I find out tommrow.

 

[chetzar]

Well, found out that the Explorer needs the wheel bearings repacked, $180, so that'll prolly happen here in the next week. Shop said all the U-joints and the front end suspension all look good. Guess when my wheel bearings get repacked and my alignment is correct i'll know if that was/is the cause of the noise.

Eureka24 check your brakes, make sure your pads aren't too worn out, the reason I did not suggest brakes on mine is the brake pads and calipers have less than 1k miles on them, as I just replaced them a little over a month ago. Other than that you might want to take it to a shop and have it aligned and have them look at the u-joints, wheel bearings, and front end suspension.
Btw, is your noise comming from the front? Because that is where mine is from.
Anyway, hope that helps some, if anyone has ideas still, feel free to chip in.

 

[eureka24]

Thanx for the info.

it is coming from the front.
my brakes are fairly new, about 3k on them.

well i think i'll just repack the front bearings anyway, thanx.

 

[chetzar]

After bearing Repack and alignment, its still doing it. Anyone have other ideas as to what it could be?

 

[trucku]

you can have a caliper hanging up slightly and wear out your brakes in no time at all. Check your brakes and make sure your not down to the rivets or bonding pad.

 

[Pretty Boy Floyd]

$180 to repack bearings ?

I got mine done for like $75.

 

[gijoecam]

{cue Queen music} Another one bites the dust!

It sounds like the all-too-common transfer case buzzing/grinding issue. Search the trans and transfer case forum for more horror stories, and start saving your lunch money for the repairs.

-Joe

 

[chetzar]

Could be, since my 4WD dosen't work. I push the buttion and can hear the computer cicking, but no lights or anything on it. ohwell, i'm prolly gonna get rid of it soon anyways!

 

[trucku]

So maybe your motor has partially engaged the transfer case. Or maybe its not back to its mode where it is not engaged.

Reaching: since I don't know much transfer cases and internals.

Give the shift motor a whack with a hammer, maybe its stuck.

 

[gijoecam]

D'OH!! I thought your thumbnail said it was a 98, not a 93...

{gijoecam dons a dunce cap and faces the corner}

That type of grinding in a 1st gen is often caused by an auto-hub failing to fully release. I'm guessing you still have the automatic hubs on it?

-Joe

 

[chetzar]

auto hubs all the way, but the 4wheel drive hasent worked since before I got it, and I drove it a year or so without any noise /shrug. I could try wackin it with a hammer, guess it cant do much more damage.