Loud humming noise increases with speed?

[wisneski7]

The explorer has always had this since I bought it. I thought it was the worn/junk tires, but it didn't change when the tires were replaced. It sounds very much like an aggressive tire on the road, however my tires are just a basic all season tire. It really sounds like its coming from the rear end area. Any ideas as to where to start looking? Thanks

Aaron

 

[Four0Sport]

im having the same noise.. but coming from the front. i think its a wheel bearing, im having it looked at today to check my guess.

 

[Spdrcer34]

Bearings. It's a SIMPLE fix, Just make sure you replace the seals too.

Ryan

 

[wisneski7]

Anyway to tell which bearing is the bad one?

Aaron

 

[Four0Sport]

we took the wheels and rotors off and spun the bearing by han. my front pass side bearing is SHOT. it might be an easy job, but its a long job, and im workin outside!

 

[eXcali]

Anyway to tell which bearing is the bad one?

Aaron

You gotta jack it up then do the 12 & 6 O'clock pull & push test. If your bearings are bad you will have slop and actually feel the wheel pull on the hub. You have to do this with no weight on the wheel though, so it has to be jacked up.

I have a similar noise, but it's due to BF Goodrich T/A KO's.

I have also heard of a similar noise being due to your differential, might be worth checking out.

 

[98 EddieB]

I had a similar noise that got louder with more speed. It was a wheel bearing, it was replaced as a sealed unit. I could not determine it was gone until removed it from vehicle and turned the hub in my hand. The wheel had no play either. I suspected it was right front and it was. Followed the instructions on the forum as a DIY. New hub (made in China) came with ABS sensor.

 

[Spdrcer34]

A NOISY bearing will not be loose enough to move the tire @ the 12 and 6 o'clock positions. If your getting movement at those spots it is a Balljoint if anything. If your bearings are THAT loose, you will likely loose a wheel...Been there done that...

Ryan

 

[bryanhbre]

also check the rear pinion bearing in the differential. I had one go bad in a Lincoln Towncar, most annoying sound as I sped up.

 

[eXcali]

actually, the 6 & 12 oclock test for hub bearing failure is the most common test for hub bearings. Sure you could get just a noisy bearing in there, but the noise is caused from the bearing actually being destroyed. This will cause slop in the wheel as it can now slid on the axle more than it is suppose to.

And yes, hub bearings trouble can cause your wheel to fall off. It is not one of those repairs you wait on.

 

[Cobraguy]

Anyway to tell which bearing is the bad one?

Aaron

If it's an axle bearing, get the vehicle up to speed where it makes noise. Turn the car left and right. If it's an axle bearing the noise will diminish or go away in one of the directions (unless both sides are bad). The bad side will be the side in the direction of the turn. (right turn means less noise, right bearing as that is the side that is unloaded)

A bearing making noise doesn't necessarily have excessive play in it. In fact, it would have to be VERY bad for that. Do not depend on that test to determine your problem.

 

[wisneski7]

I haven't had a chance to really check into this yet, however the noise is constant and does not change depending on wheel load. Turning hard right to left doesn't make any difference. It also really sounds like its coming from the rear end, but its hard to tell. Im thinking it may be the rear pinion bearing.

Aaron

 

[97ExPxLt]

I have the same noise but it goes away if i let off the gas and gets louder if i even give it the smallest amount of throttle.

 

[Cobraguy]

I have the same noise but it goes away if i let off the gas and gets louder if i even give it the smallest amount of throttle.

That is more than likely a carrier bearing. Possibly a ring and pinion, but I'd check the bearing(s) first. This should be checked asap. If it is just a bearing and you don't fix it right away, it WILL ruin the ring and pinion.