(Nice) humming sound from my front end

[DFGasner]

Drive home last night I have to go over some some rumble strips as I come to a major road. After going over them I have a nice humming from my front end. It seems to be louder at lower speeds but I can really be sure as I think my engine just drowns it out as I go faster because it seems the loudest while I'm coasting down around 30 mph.

It is snowy and icy, and I'm going to get my truck washed off today, just to make sure it's not just ice in my rim and brakes, but I'm just worried that it's not because it happened just over the rumble strips.

Just any suggestions as to what could be making the noise, I've though of the front hubs or even the front diff, but I really have no idea, so I'm just looking for some suggestions on where to start.

Thanks
Davey

 

[joker1457]

Sounds like a hub assembly.

 

[jremington59]

Could be as simple as a broken belt in a tire.

 

[DFGasner]

Thanks a lot for the quick replies.

First question, is there anyway by looking at my tire to tell of a broken belt?

Secondly, I've replaced hubs before, but only when they were making quite a racket. Is there a way to tell which is bad because I've tried driving with my windows down and the hum isn't loud enough to distinguish which side is making the sound?

Thanks
Davey

 

[joker1457]

I might start by lifting the front off the ground spin the tires by hand and listen for any signs of a worn assembley also test for play in ball joints ect.... Ive blown 4 on my 98 Eddie but havent really found a way to tell which side it is. I guess Ive gotten lucky with the 50/50 thing, but I always have a spare laying around incase. Another thought have you checked the front Diff fluid, the tire preasure , brakes anything that could possibly make noise.

 

[210Sooner]

This seemed to help my brother in finding out which side of his was bad.

http://www.explorerforum.com/forums/showthread.php?t=258412

 

[DFGasner]

Thanks for the suggestion on telling which side.

Joker,
No, I haven't checked any obvious things yet but definitely planning on it before spending $110 on a hub . I am going to be changing my fluids (diff's, tranny, transfer case) this week and the next. Planning on doing the rear diff first (because it's easier), and then the front. I will check that as well, and I'm almost wondering if that isn't it.

The reason I say is that I see it as the noise would most likely be the hub if going 30mph (foot on the gas or off) it would still be making the noise, but the noise lessens greately when I take my foot off the gas making me think that it's the transfer case.

Thanks for the help.
Davey

 

[joker1457]

The reason I say is that I see it as the noise would most likely be the hub if going 30mph (foot on the gas or off) it would still be making the noise, but the noise lessens greately when I take my foot off the gas making me think that it's the transfer case.

Thanks for the help.
Davey[/QUOTE]

I dont know if this truck is lifted or not but if so the front drive shaft should be taken into consideration. When lifted it changes the angle and if the Superlift driveshaft is not in there they tend to wear pre-maturely. As far as hubs are concerned Ive gone through four or five now be sure if you change it out to have the proper torque. Keep us up to date on what you find out.

 

[02X]

Thanks to all the great info on this site, I just replaced both my hub/bearings!! My advise before starting: Do all the little things first.
- rotate tires, to see if it is tire problem.
- check diff. oil, make sure no metal in oil.
- check cv joint and ujoint
- I would even check 4x4, to eliminate possible problem there.
- Then replace hub/bearings, I changed one thinking it would solve humming noise, but did'nt. I changed the other, and sure enough that was it...no more noise. If you don't know how to check them to see if there gone, I hate to say it, but pay someone to atleast tell you which one to change. It could save you some time and work.