Growl/Vibration from front end

[Thettt86]

Hey all! 2010 XLT 4x4. I can’t seem to find anything that comes close to the issue I have on here. I drove down the interstate to my sons daycare, backed into a spot, stopped for 30 minutes and then when I started driving down the road again, it has now developed a growling/vibration in the front end. It can be felt in the floor board and steering wheel. It is very audible as well. It made me pull over and check my tires and they are all good. It starts around 30/35mph and get progressively worse as I increase in speed. Doesn’t change turning left to right. Stays the same with speed, decel or acceleration. I’ve recently replaced both wheel bearings. Tires are in decent shape. Brakes around 6months old(new rotors and pads). I’m thinking front differential shat the bed or TC. This will be the first 4WD vehicle I’ve had issues like this so just looking for some direction. It’s been snowing so I haven’t gotten out there, but plan to lift up the front end and inspect drive shaft(s), axles, etc.

 

[94Eddie]

It's hard to make a guess about what has gone wrong. I think that the best way to diagnose it is to get all four wheels off the ground, start the engine, get it up to speed and listen for where the sound is originating.

 

[Thettt86]

It's hard to make a guess about what has gone wrong. I think that the best way to diagnose it is to get all four wheels off the ground, start the engine, get it up to speed and listen for where the sound is originating.

I was able to get it off the ground and checked everything over and nothing seems out of wack besides the steering rack having a big clunk in it, but nothing is felt while driving in steering wheel. I’m pointing towards a possible bad front driveshaft coupler because the U Joints are in great condition and so are the axles, wheel bearings, etc. I’m going to try and remove the driveshaft and drive it. It’s the only thing I can think of.

 

[94Eddie]

One thing I will mention is that with one of my third gen Explorers a rear bearing went out and I swore it was one of the front bearings based on where I thought the noise was coming from. The 3rd gens and 4th gens share the same basic suspension design.

 

[Thettt86]

One thing I will mention is that with one of my third gen Explorers a rear bearing went out and I swore it was one of the front bearings based on where I thought the noise was coming from. The 3rd gens and 4th gens share the same basic suspension design.

Okay, I’ll bite lol I have been driving it on and off today trying to determine the issue and I’m banging my head against the wall at this point. The one thing I’ve noticed is when I’m turning the wheel left to right, the noise gets worse in either direction. Nothing else makes it better. I swear it’s in the front, but more reading and your reply has made me switch my way of thinking.

 

[94Eddie]

Okay, I’ll bite lol I have been driving it on and off today trying to determine the issue and I’m banging my head against the wall at this point. The one thing I’ve noticed is when I’m turning the wheel left to right, the noise gets worse in either direction. Nothing else makes it better. I swear it’s in the front, but more reading and your reply has made me switch my way of thinking.

One way to rule out tires and rims is to have the tires road force balanced. This applies a load to the tire as it spins and sensors track the trueness of the rim. Also, there are sensors that detect hard/soft spots in the tires. As part of the process, the tires are spun on the rims and rebalanced until the wheel is completely balanced. The cost for four tires was $125 and it did correct a problem with one of the tires.

The noise changing with steering input is one of the main indicators of a potential bearing issue. As I said earlier, when the rear bearing went in one of my 3rd gens I would have bet my life it was a front bearing. I never thought to check the rear. I ended up dropping it off at a shop I have used for years and years to do the nasty repairs I have no interest in doing. He figured out it was a rear bearing in no time. If you have a shop near you that you trust, it might be worthwhile to let them have a wack at it.