Growling noise front driver side

[jbrown123]

I have a 1998 Explorer and I have had it to many different shops, and I still do not know what the heck is wrong with this thing. I have had the rack n pinion, power steering pump and rotors changed and still no improvement. I have had them check ball joints, u-joints, cv joints, tie rod ends and wheel bearings and they found nothing wrong with them. The noise is comming from the front driver side. Everytime I turn left I get this loud growling noise. It seems to happen at very low speeds, like when I'm turning into a parking spot, or into or out of my driveway. I took it back to the shop yesterday and they said it sounds like its in the steering, but how can that be when we have had the steering rack changed? Could it be something else that they are just missing? Can anyone out there please give me some ideas at what to look at now?

 

[Turdle]

You probably need a new front axelshaft. This will replace your worn cv joints.

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/Driv...33728QQitemZ8043382851QQrdZ1QQsspagenameZWD1V

 

[pfly57]

From the sounds of your problem, mine is about the same. I have a 2000 XLS. My ball joints were all just replaced and they were SHOT! The mechanic said he could almost pull one of them out of the socket without loosening anything. Don't know if he was yanking my chain or not but if it's true, I'm glad they are fixed. I went after this thinking it was making this noise. It didn't effect it a bit. Still doing it just as bad. I have 107,000 miles. Had several shops look at the brakes/calipers, they've lubed everything they can find to lube. It doesn't do it all the time but enough to drive me crazy. Slow speed braking like backing out of the driveway or slow speed braking and turning...both sides do it on mine it seems. Saw a note yesterday about the ABS could be causing it. I pulled the fuse and it still did it. It's like a studdering cracking noise. Like a dry bearing(not squealing though) kinda..like an overtight belt twisting kinda..hard noise to describe. Muted clunking.

 

[skoal_mint]

lol, yea i have the same thing. just got my hub replaced and now it makes that noise..but its not so much a growling nosie, but it slight vibration but only turning left and slowly..

early today i was tring to find a empty parking lot so i can do tight left turns but their was a cop parked on the side