Humming sound up front, is it my bearings?

[Sethro]

Alright, I have a humming noise come from the front lift of my '97. It kinda sounds like an unbalanced tire, loudest from 5-40 mph. It's not a continuous tone, it kinda fluctuates, and it SEEMS worse when I turn it right. It did it with my old firestones and it didn't change when I put my BFG's on so I am pretty sure it's not a tire balancing issue. It sounds to me like a front wheel bearing.

I took it to my mechanic and he didn't actually take off the front bearings and inspect them, but he didn't seem to think that was what it was, he thinks it is in the differential. He checked the fluids for the front and back and said it looked like both had water in them so he changed both. It may have sounds a little better after that, but the next day it sounded the same, so I know that he (a reputable/knowledgeable guy) is going to suggest tearing down the diff to inspect the bearings which is going to be costly.

Do you think it could be the wheel bearing?

The diff bearings?

Do you think that water was in there and ruined everything?

Should I be worried or just drive it?

Thoughts?

 

[Sethro]

Any takers on this one, I'm desparate...

 

[piscator]

I have a 96 XLT auto (Australian Spec. - don't know if there are any differences). 188,000km

Have the same problem, particularly noticeable on decelleration and around sweeping corners.

kind of Throbbing humming grinding roaring rumbling noise. Does it when neutral is engaged too (when moving). Suspect diff wear or drive train etc.

It less noticeable around 100 km/h (60mph). It is most noticeable between about 40 and 90 kmh.

Any suggestion thanks in advance.

 

[RangerX]

I had a noise like you both describe, noticable on right curves at speed. I never had it before, ignored it for a week, and shortly after, my bearings disintergrated! I would check them now. You don't want to have to replace the spindles, trust me!

 

[lightning31]

sethro; My 97 explorer was making the same noise and vibration. It turn out to be the bearings in the transfer case and I had to replace the transfer case. Drain the case and check for brass and metal shavings.

 

[Sethro]

Thanks for the info. How do I know whether it is the transfer case or the wheel bearing???

 

[yob_yeknom]

Ok guys, same problem here. Sounds like the driver's side front wheel bearing. Hoping it's not the diffy, but it is on that side too.

How would I find out if it's the bearing and not the differential?
How in the world do I get the bearing out from in there? Please tell me it's not built into the entire hub assembly and the whole thing has to be replaced.

Please help ASAP. I need this thing done soon. My Explorer is my daily driver and I can't have the bearing breaking apart and bombarding everything with chunks of metal.

Thanks.

 

[Nonoy]

Oh boy. I have 1997 too and have the same problem. I have it alligned and the same thing. I just turn up the volume of my radio to avoid hearing that noise.

 

[Sethro]

Latest update, I had my mechanic look at it today, he says it is the ball joints and I need to replace the upper and lower on both sides and part of the control arms. He also said $200 each for the uppers, $65 for the lowers, and eight hours of labor. Total is about $850. I think this way too expensive, and I don't even think it sounds like ball joints.

Can somebody please tell me if I am getting hosed????

 

[Jason_25]

Hey do a search on "dust excluder seals" and see what you can come up with. There was a thread on this a while back and the guy was describing that kind of noise from his front end.

 

[ozo]

Hi Guys, I'm in Saudi Arabia, and i have the same noise., it starts at 70 kph until 100kph, i changed my front L/H wheel bearing (which is the whole hub assy!!!) sorry for the bad news, and its still there, i jacked the car up and spun the wheels and you can hear a faint thumping noise so all i can think to do next is to strip down the CV joints of the front drive shafts before i go on to the Diff and TFR case. But till now its not got louder and nothing's fell off yet !!!
For The Aussie with the 97 model, do you know how to disable the beeper at 120 kph as its driving me crazy, i'm from Perth, but working here.
See ya Guys

 

[NYjay]

-Greeting all, I am new to this site and trying to find answer to the problem you guys are describing. My XLT is 2 yrs old with 31,000 miles on it. I got the simliar humming noise from the front right wheel side under lower speed (5mph-20mph). I started getting these noise after i had the tires change. I tired to ignored the noise but now is getting unbearable and very upset becuase it's my first new SUV. Anyway i change my front brake pads 2 weeks ago and still getting the same noise. The mech told me it could be the bearings but i am suspecting they didn't balance my tires when they change them. I am bringing it back to the dealer tomorrow to have them look at, but from experience i m hesitant to believe what they will tell me tomorrow. Please help.

NYJAY

 

[TPLYNCH]

Did it start making the noise after it got cold here in NY recently? The newer Ex's have made a squealing noise at low speeds, caused by a defective dust boot cover and hub seal?. Try running a search for squeal. I had the trouble not long after I bought my '99.

 

[NYjay]

Thx for the info Tom,

It started making the noise before the cold weather. What should i do to try to search where the noise is coming from? I tried rotating the tire from back right to front right, same humming noise.

Please advise

 

[TPLYNCH]

Since you should still be under warranty, the let the Dealer try to figure it out and fix it. I doubt it has anything to do with the tire itself. Possible that the caliper may be sticking. When the pads were changed, were the slide pins lubed properly?

 

[65Matt]

I just took my truck in yesterday for the same noise. They replaced my front brakes and packed the bearings, and the noise is quieter. Not gone, but quieter. This is a low-pitched roar from about 10mph to stop. I told them I thought the bearings needed to be replaced, but they said they were fine.

Maybe it is a characteristic of the trucks? Maybe it is a noise that some of us notice more than others?

 

[NYjay]

Thanks for all the reply Gents.

The dealer mech. replaced the bearings but still make the same noise. They told me they are going to change the differential (no idea what that is). Have to bring it back in next week. Will let you gents. know the verdict once the repair is complete. Thank God the repair is under warranty, debating should i get the extended warranty or not. What you guys think?

 

[MadeInJapan]

I had a similar problem in my 95 EB. I heard a humming noise whenever I let my foot off gas above 35mph and front tires were showing uneven wear. I took it to Ford, but they just told me my tires are causing the noise (Michelin MTX M/S). However, I installed brand new shocks recently because the original shocks already had more than 120k on them and the problem was gone.

 

[SCEXPLORER]

I have this roaring sound too at low speeds(10mph to stop). What is it? Did anyone solve the problem?

 

[Nonoy]

I posted a reply to this thread last 10/01 ago because I had the same problem. That humming noise is gone!!!!and I cant really say why. I tried to remember what i did and the only thing I could remember was I put that Z Max thing in my transmission.