Noise from front end after upsizing rims & tires

[funkykeys]

I have a 2001 'trac and it came with 15" stock steel rims and hubcaps. The tires were Michelin LTX/AT 235/75r/15. I believe the Ranger also came with the same rims. I just bought a set of used 16" Ford stock alloy rims from an '02 'trac with Goodyear wrangler tires 255/70r/16's (60% tread). After installing the 16's I notice a light thump noise coming from the front of the vehicle. It is not real loud but noticable from 5 mph to about 20 mph. It didn't do this prior to installing the 16's. I thought maybe the rims needed balancing so I took them to Les Schwab where they checked them out and did the balancing. The sound still exists.
I see the previous post from "Operator". Seems similar, however why would a cv joint or wheel bearing start making noise now? It didn't make the noise before.
Any ideas would be helpful! Thanks!

 

[Dan Whitaker]

The tread could be seperating. Did the previous owner rotate them as needed and always keep them properly infltated? If not the tires might not have even wear.
If the previous owners alignment was off it would cause inproper tire wear as well.

 

[funkykeys]

I moved the back wheels to the front to see if it might be tread separation like you said. The noise is still there. I can also feel it slightly at the steering wheel when the thump occurs. I raised the front of the vehicle and moved both wheels back and forth to check for play. Drivers side is very tight and the passengers side has a little movement, but doesn't seem to be coming from the axle bearing but somewhere else. It's hard to pinpoint.
Here's the interesting part: I put it in 4wd (which by the way is never used, it's my wife's vehicle) and as I backed out of the driveway turning the vehicle acted like the brake was being applied. I stopped and put it back in 2wd and it backed out fine. Once out on the street I put it back in 4wd and drove 2 blocks with no problems (other than the thumping) and when I went to turn around it again acted liked I had applied the brakes. Put it back in 2wd and the problem went away. I don't know if the 2 problems are related at all because the thumping occurs all the time whether in 2 or 4wd. I'm starting to believe I've got 2 things going on. This might just be a topic for the main tech forum.

 

[Jason94sport]

Sure your not rubbing on anything?