Loud noise... concerned

[kskuke]

Hello! I happened to stumble accrost this thread through google and I am in need of some advice on my 1992 Explorer XLT. I bought the car about a month ago. It's been great since except for a few small things and a somewhat recent problem. When I first got the car, one morning after it had been freezing (litteratly) cold, as I drove away there was an extreemly loud "winding up" noise sounding somewhat like a siren. Very unusual. When I came to a stop the noise wound down, there was somewhat of a thud that felt like it was coming from under the car somewhere and then it stopped. Because of this, I drove off real slow and was real careful and had no problems at all! This happened one other morning with quite similar conditions however the car still continued to run fine. Then yesterday, the noise came up again as I was driving down a road and I heard it once I hit about 45mph. Now today the EXACT same thing happend (noise started at 45mph, stopped when I came to a stop). However after a few start-and-stops, the noise continued even after I had stopped. As I came to a stop, the noise stopped as it usually does but when I accelerated again, it came back. Except this time, it was much quieter. That has been happening all day as I have been driving around. You can mostly only hear it when I hit 45 and once or twice when I would hit 45, the LOUD version of the noise would start again, so I would pull off into a parking lot and stop and it would stop but when I drove away the quieter version would still be there. The car is a 4x4. I don't know if it has anything to do with it but if anyone has ANY suggestions at all I would really appreciate it!! I need to be able to use my car and the noise concerns me a lot!! Thanks

 

[yob_yeknom]

My first thought is the rear end is low on fluid. Check the fluid in both differentials. Transfer case too just for safe measure.

 

[JDraper]

If you have the factory automatic locking front hubs, they could be the culprit. They are know to fail, and when they start to go, it kinda sounds like a high speed ratcheting noise. Do a search here on "auto hubs" or "hubs" and you will find TONS of data.


BTW, welcome to the site!!

 

[kskuke]

Thanks very much for the info guys. I'll show it to my dad tomorrow (he is the car guy) and take a look into it. Much appreciated. I'll let you know what we find out!

P.S.- On my way home tonight, it only did it once and when I came to a stop, the noise stopped and never came back. It's weird!!

P.S.S-My dad loosened up the lug nuts the other day so that if I ever had a flat, it wouldnt be impossible to get them off because they were frozen on there. Maybe that has something to do with it??

Thanks!!

 

[4FordFamily]

Ah well this isn't good news but the last time i heard goofy noises like that i had a bad bearing...Pulleys, bolts, screws, hoses, etc. just sort of fell out of my truck while i was sitting in a parkinglot playing my music.

I drove home with no steering (kind of like when you're car isn't on, and it's in neutral and it's really hard to steer?) yeah, It wasn't easy. I drove home with no coolant, thank God it was 10 degree weather or my V6 would be gone.

It had run really wierd and made all kinds of noises for about a month. Most of which came and went off and on. I recommend you get it professionally looked at or else you could be facing 1-2k in repairs (like I did) and/or major embarassment. lol

I don't by any means know much about under-the-hood aspects of vehicles but I'm learning. All i can tell you is from my own experience. There are some smart people here, let them chime in.

Good luck, welcome to the site.

 

[kskuke]

How did a bad bearing cause those things to fall out??

I know my bearings need to be packed, I bet that is whats causing it!

 

[4FordFamily]

I wish i knew man, i wish I knew. Pearson ford had never heard of such a thing. I just have horrible luck. Who has heard of their gasline just breaking while sitting in their car? Yeah that happened to me too

 

[marragtop]

This may be a dumb question, but are you sure the noise only occurs when the truck is moving. In other words, if you put it in nuetral when stopped, and rev the engine, does the noise occur? If so, then it could be the IAC valve or a pulley on the motor. Just a thought..

Mike