Growling Noise from front

[SUHLeen]

Hey guys,

Ive been on this forum before but usually as a lurker. I had an account at one point with a few posts but cant seem to remember the name or email I used. Anyways, I used to have an 04 Explorer and sold it to my brother. He is very negligent with cars and he is out of the country for a month so I took it upon me to fix up his truck. I've done a lot to it so far but cant seem to find a couple problems. My biggest concern is a loud growl coming from the front. It is a 2004 Explorer Limited with AWD. I believe it has something to do with the AWD and I can't find any posts or anything on the internet with someone with similar problems.

I replaced the rear wheel bearings but have not done anything with the fronts as they seem fine, and this doesn't sound like the normal wheel bearing noise. Basically, if I get on it more than 1/4 throttle, and after a certain RPM, I'd say about 2500, it starts making a noise, kind of like a growl, and it seems like it is coming from the engine. I just recently put a K&N FIPK on it and thought maybe that was what was making the growling noise, but in neutral it does not make the noise. I'm hoping it is not something with the engine but I am thinking it has something to do with the AWD, but I don't know what. Could it be the VCU that everyone talks about? Does anyone have any similar issues?

Also, when turning at half way to full lock and on, it is almost impossible to move the X without giving it a lot of gas, no matter if I'm going forward and backward. It is almost like the truck is braking itself and I have to give it gas for it to budge.

The truck also has a shimmy in the front and the tires are wearing uneven, but I had the alignment good and it is "in spec" and the control arms and ball joints they say are OK, so I ordered a set of all new Monroe struts since 150k miles on stock struts is pushing it.

Let me know if you have any ideas or suggestions? He is back in two weeks so I wan't to get everything squared away. It went from driving great new, getting 17 mpg average, to driving like a boat getting 13-14 avg...

Thanks

 

[Ronin8002]

For the front shimmy, I would think it's a wheel balancing issue.

Hey guys,

Ive been on this forum before but usually as a lurker. I had an account at one point with a few posts but cant seem to remember the name or email I used. Anyways, I used to have an 04 Explorer and sold it to my brother. He is very negligent with cars and he is out of the country for a month so I took it upon me to fix up his truck. I've done a lot to it so far but cant seem to find a couple problems. My biggest concern is a loud growl coming from the front. It is a 2004 Explorer Limited with AWD. I believe it has something to do with the AWD and I can't find any posts or anything on the internet with someone with similar problems.

I replaced the rear wheel bearings but have not done anything with the fronts as they seem fine, and this doesn't sound like the normal wheel bearing noise. Basically, if I get on it more than 1/4 throttle, and after a certain RPM, I'd say about 2500, it starts making a noise, kind of like a growl, and it seems like it is coming from the engine. I just recently put a K&N FIPK on it and thought maybe that was what was making the growling noise, but in neutral it does not make the noise. I'm hoping it is not something with the engine but I am thinking it has something to do with the AWD, but I don't know what. Could it be the VCU that everyone talks about? Does anyone have any similar issues?

Also, when turning at half way to full lock and on, it is almost impossible to move the X without giving it a lot of gas, no matter if I'm going forward and backward. It is almost like the truck is braking itself and I have to give it gas for it to budge.

The truck also has a shimmy in the front and the tires are wearing uneven, but I had the alignment good and it is "in spec" and the control arms and ball joints they say are OK, so I ordered a set of all new Monroe struts since 150k miles on stock struts is pushing it.

Let me know if you have any ideas or suggestions? He is back in two weeks so I wan't to get everything squared away. It went from driving great new, getting 17 mpg average, to driving like a boat getting 13-14 avg...

Thanks

 

[SUHLeen]

For the front shimmy, I would think it's a wheel balancing issue.

Well they are new tires and they should be balanced. I'll get them rebalanced to eliminate that. But my fronts sit somewhat crooked, so I'm thinking if the shocks are shot, it will cause them to sit lower, causing the wheels to sit with negative camber. Like I said it is a stock suspension, and there should not be much if any negative camber. I've had people tell me that bad shocks will also cause a shimmy but I don't know first hand.

Is 150k a lot of miles to be riding on all stock suspension? I know on my car I had to change pretty much everything out at 80k but it is also lowered and I drive it differently than I would ever drive an SUV haha

 

[Ronin8002]

When you say the front is crooked, you mean one side of the front is lower than the other? Shocks being worn out wouldn't cause it to be too low in the front (it would just make the ride quality suck). Old or broken springs would affect the height, however.

At any rate you can get 4 complete strut assemblies with new springs already assembled to them for less than 500 total I think depending on the brand.

If the alignment is in specs then the camber shouldn't be off....that's why I was thinking a wheel balancing issue. I had a shimmy when I got new wheels and tires and it was just due to a crappy balancing job. Went to a place that knew what they were doing and they fixed it.

 

[SUHLeen]

By crooked I mean the camber. Im thinking the shocks are shot so it sitting a little lower in the front. And it does, it used to sit even front to back now the front is a little lower. The ride is realll bumpy though and not like it used to be

 

[Ronin8002]

All of the 2002-2005 have a slightly lower front than rear, at least from what I've seen. The shocks don't affect the ride height, the springs do. With that mileage it wouldn't hurt to replace the whole assembly (shock+spring) on all 4 corners. It would certainly help the ride quality.

If the camber is visibly off and that one shop told you it was good, then take it to a good place that will let you watch them check it so you know they aren't fudging the numbers. Ideally a place that has a hunter laser alignment machine.

 

[axeman06]

Just to rule it out double check to make sure all the tires are the same size and close to equal wear, had a shop put the wrong size tires on my friend ex and it made the AWD and traction control think that the tires were slipping

 

[SUHLeen]

I watched them do it and it was -1% but they said it was in spec enough where it would not cause wear....

I bought the struts already, but do not know if I have enough for springs too. I didn't think the springs could go bad.

And the rears have maybe 3-4mm less but they are all the same size and brand tires. Would 3-4 mm make a difference?

Thanks guys

 

[SUHLeen]

The front tires are wearing, shouldn't happen with a stock suspension unless something is blown. According to two shops the tie rods and control arms are good (my first guess)

 

[Ronin8002]

I watched them do it and it was -1% but they said it was in spec enough where it would not cause wear....

I bought the struts already, but do not know if I have enough for springs too. I didn't think the springs could go bad.

And the rears have maybe 3-4mm less but they are all the same size and brand tires. Would 3-4 mm make a difference?

Thanks guys

hmm sounds like the alignment is probably ok then. I don't know if the springs are "bad" necessarily, but they can settle with age.

As for the tires, maybe try switching the fronts to the rear and see if that helps?

 

[SUHLeen]

hmm sounds like the alignment is probably ok then. I don't know if the springs are "bad" necessarily, but they can settle with age.

As for the tires, maybe try switching the fronts to the rear and see if that helps?

I'll try that and see if it helps. I'll have the shop check out the springs too and see what they say when they swap the struts. Monroe is one of the only brands I could find for those, are they any good? I paid $370 shipped for all 4 with new mounting brackets or whatever.

Also, any idea with the turning problem?

 

[Ronin8002]

Monroe is good.

Not sure on the turning thing but it might have something to do with uneven tire wear and the AWD acting funny as a result.

 

[SUHLeen]

Monroe is good.

Not sure on the turning thing but it might have something to do with uneven tire wear and the AWD acting funny as a result.

I'll see if I have enough in the budget he gave me to get him two more new 20" tires. I'm hoping it is as easy as that though. I'll try and take a video this weekend to explain the sound better.