Need help diagnosing problem.

[rando5]

1998 Ford Explorer Sport 4wd.

Current Problem : There is a rubbing noise coming from the front (sounds like the drivers side) that increases with speed. There is also a pulsation on the brake and vibration in the steering wheel when slowing down (coincides with the noise) that is getting worse (warping of the rotors maybe).

Other symptoms include discoloration around the front wheels (a rust color) and after hitting a bump the noise seems to get a little louder when the suspension is compressed, and warped rotors.

History: Ive taken it to a shop for the same thing before and they replaced the drivers front hub assembly (about 2 years ago). The problem slowly came back a year later. I took it back and they told me the other hub assembly needs to be replaced (after first just selling me new rotors which fixed the problem for about 2 months before warping again. ) even though it sounds like the drivers side to me. I just had my upper and lower ball joints changed about 2 months ago as well.

I like my truck very much and dont mind putting some more $ into it but it just seems like the problem is not being addressed properly and I am throwing $ away. I would like the problem to be fixed rather than masking it for a while and having to get the same things replaced. Any help would be appreciated. I have done minor repairs but if its too extensive , any chicago area mechanics with a passion for Explorers might be the way to go....

Thanks for thaking the time.....

 

[96_sport_ct]

2 questions, did you break them in before driving? and have you braked hard after getting new rotors or pads? that can cause warping. maybe not the whole problem but if they arent broken in they can warp easier. if possible i would recommend taking a camera with while you drive so that we can hear the sound to get a general idea of the problem

 

[rando5]

2 questions, did you break them in before driving? and have you braked hard after getting new rotors or pads? that can cause warping. maybe not the whole problem but if they arent broken in they can warp easier. if possible i would recommend taking a camera with while you drive so that we can hear the sound to get a general idea of the problem
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I am not heavy on the brake at all. If anything, I brake too softly. The warping is a symptom of the overall problem since I had new ones put in (which stopped the steering wheel from shaking and the brake pad from pulsing for a couple months) and it is starting to do the same thing again.