Loud Rubbing noise in Front left

[Burly]

I have a '98 XLT 4x4 with 127K. My problem is that when turning the wheel left at parking lot speeds or parked my rig makes a WHALE like rubbing sound. This does not happen when turning the wheel right. My boots look OK. Any one have a suggestion or had this problem before?

 

[TwoToneX]

If it's happening at parking lot speeds, I would suggest going to a parking lot and having someone crank the wheel left and duplicate the sound while you walk in front/along side of the explorer to see if you can see where it's coming from. Might want to look around at the fenderwell to see if anything is poking out and the tire is rubbing it.

 

[Burly]

If it's happening at parking lot speeds, I would suggest going to a parking lot and having someone crank the wheel left and duplicate the sound while you walk in front/along side of the explorer to see if you can see where it's coming from. Might want to look around at the fenderwell to see if anything is poking out and the tire is rubbing it.

Two Tone I have tried this. Nothing seems to be rubbing. My mechanics seem baffled. They said they couldn't find any bullitens on this. They mentioned a gear in my power steering. They said they would tear into it this week.

 

[Jclark]

Wheel Bearing?

 

[Jclark]

It May be a wheel Bearing. Had the same problem

 

[jasonb]

would the bearings cause noise when he turns the wheel while not moving?

i would think its something more in the steering. have you done anything to the truck lately? new tires, replaced parts, anything?

 

[Burly]

would the bearings cause noise when he turns the wheel while not moving?

i would think its something more in the steering. have you done anything to the truck lately? new tires, replaced parts, anything?

I have not installed anything new. I too have thought wheel bearings but I can get it to make this noise simply by turning the wheel left while parked. Like I said before I only hear this noise at low speeds while turning left into a parking space or making any left turn at slow speed.

 

[TwoToneX]

If you can duplicate the noise just cranking the wheel while parked, I'm inclined to agree with Jason that it sounds like a steering problem.

Seems to me that if it was a problem with the bearings, it wouldn't just do it at low speeds, but it never hurts to check them. You could also repack them and check the rotors and such while you have it all takin apart...

 

[Burly]

How do you find TSB information?

By doing research on this board and others I think I have found the TSB that fits my problem exactly. My '98 is grunting on slow speed or stationary turns to the left. The sound seems to be coming from my power steering. I have located the TSB #99211 but cannot find out the solution to fix it. Does anyone have acess to this info. It would be much appreciated.

 

[Burly]

Deleted post

 

[Burly]

Need help with TSB #99211

Deleted post.

 

[Robb]

I have merged together your four threads on the same subject.

Let's keep this all in one spot.

 

[anothergoatherd]

I thought if the wheel bearing was bad it would make noise when a load was put on it. So if it makes sound when your turning left it would be the passanger side that was bad and making the noise.
If the noise is coming from the drivers side when turning left, it's probably not the bearing.

Does anyone else know if this sounds right?

(Just a comment on the bearing issue)

 

[dmf415]

was anyone able to figure out how to fix this problem? My explorer just started doing the exact same thing

 

[dmf415]

if fixed it , it was the wheel bearing

 

[Flash]

The noise will be valve chatter in the power steering.
You may need to top up and or bleed the power steering fluid.

 

[Ranger Al]

Ok, I figured it is the bearing. I called several places (stealerships and auto part stores) the bearing come only in hub assembly! Anyone replace the wheel bearing on their Explorer (mine is 00 Ranger with 98 hub)? It seem rediculous to have to replace the whole hub when only the bearing goes out and it cost up to $250 each!

 

[Ford_Racing_Guy]

any one think of the sway bar links?

my car made very weird noises when the boots on the swaybar links were dry, pumped some grease in with a needle and the noise went away.

but if the links on the new ones are like mine then they aren't boots just a rubber bushing correct?

 

[dmf415]

fixed it

it was the u joint for me...
it was a weird squeeking noise... sounds like the shock is going out... but its the U-joint...
I took off the a lot of parts to get the the u-joint, hammer teh hell out of it till it came out, pressed a new one in. returned the special tool i rented from autozone..free of charge to use w/ deposit.

 

[truant]

Rubbing or Grinding noise Left Front 98 Explorer AWD 4x4 5.0

Hi,

Same noise, turn a tad right and growl, turn left a smidge and it goes away. The ABS light came on as well in my case. I had no choice but to drive it 150miles home in the snow last weekend (christmas 2010)

replaced the bearing / hub assembly, which is straightforward if you have a breaker bar of any length and a 15mm 6-point socket.

To remove, the tire comes off, the brakes come off, then the rotor comes off. Unplug the ABS sensor wire and untangle it from the frame. Note the manner in which it is routed.

Use a giant socket (32mm) to remove the nut that holds the CV shaft tight to the hub assembly. Keep this nut clean.

Turn the wheel all the way right and use your breaker bar to crack the bolts, there are three holding the brearing. Two of them accessible from the rear when the wheel is turned right. Get those loose or removed, then turn the wheel back the other direction and get the last one out.

Take a sledge hammer and bang on the points of the triangle such that the whole assembly will turn in place. Hit it counter clockwise, then clockwise and it'll work it's way out. in my case it was not necessary to pull it.

If you've removed the nut on the CV shaft the assembly should mostly fall out in your hands.

Reverse the process to put the new one in. Tighten the bejeepers (200ftlbs I think) out of the nut that holds the CV shaft tight into the hub assembly. Might be better to do this last with the tire on, but DON"T FORGET IT!

My question is 'how much play is acceptible' from the CV shaft splines to the new bearing? Mine seems to be too much and I spent the money for the 'good' bearing.

Thanks,
Truant