Humming Howling and Vibration Noise, Please help

[cyrust]

I have a 2000 Ford Explorer XLT 4x4 4.0L SOHC with 24,000 miles on it. For the last month or so I have noticed that there is a Howling or Humming sound / vibration from what it appears like the front of my X. This happens from 5 to about 35 mph. At 5 mph the oscillation of this noise is slow but the vibration is more noticable. It almost feels like there is something not lubed. Can anyone please help me with this as the Dealer told me this normal. It seems to be worse at times then others.

Thanks,
Cyrus

 

[TPLYNCH]

Welcome to the site. Have you had the tires rotated/balanced lately?? Alignment done? Later model explorers have had a squealing noise in colder weather. Ford replaced Dust Boot Cover and Hub Seals. Worked for mine.

 

[cyrust]

Thanks for the welcome!!

Yes, I get the tires rotated every 5,000 miles and I had 2 alighnments already done on my vehicle. A friend of mine told me to drive on a grassy level field to see if the noise would go away. The noise was still there but very faint. Do you suppose it is something with the tires? I looked at them today and they seemed to be cupped on the outer and inner edges a little bit.

Thanks,
Cyrus

 

[TPLYNCH]

Could very well be the tires. Shouldn't be cupped at 24K, especially with the rotation/alignment history. You still running the Crapstones, or did you get it with one of the replacement tires?? Make sure pressure is good in tires.... 30-35psi is generally considered place to be for road running. Did you have the work done at the dealer?? Maybe bring it too a different shop to have alignment checked again. Last place may not have done it right.

 

[cyrust]

Thanks for the reply!!

I bought the Explorer and they (the dealer) had already changed the tires with Goodyear Wrangler AT/S. What is strange is that the tires have a heavy load rating on them. I guess the all terrain tires may have a tendency to cup.

I actually took the tires for rotation and alignment at a Goodyear Gemini dealer. The car drives very smoothly at higher speeds it just howls at speeds up to 35 mph. At low speeds its almost like a grinding oscillating sensation. Maybe the tires at that speed cause vibration of the hubs / drives?

I am considering getting Michelin LTX tires soon.

Thanks,
Cyrus