Noise near Left Front Wheel

[Dyerstr8s]

My 95 is having problems again. There is a noise (clicking-clunking) coming from the left front wheel area.
The noise speeds up, slows down with movement of the vehicle. It is consistant with the spinning of the wheel.
I just had ball joints replaced 6 months ago. I thought it had something to do with the 4wd, as I used it about a week ago, shortly before the noise started. In auto 4wd, it made no difference. I didn't drive it in low--but I put it in 4wd and took it out again (there was a loud clunk) when it engaged.

Any ideas? My husband who is not a mechanic--says drive it, everything is tight under the wheel--nothing will happen. I don't believe him! It's just he doesn't want me to use his truck.

 

[mrboyle]

Try this, drive in a straight line at a speed where you can hear the noise. Carefully swerve back and fourth, does the noise get louder when turning left and quieter turning right? If so it sounds like the left front wheel bearing is bad.

 

[Dyerstr8s]

Thanks--

I will try that suggestion, I am guessing that you may be correct, because it did seem louder when making a left turn today. Are wheelbearings expensive to have replaced? Would it be a difficult do it yourself project?

 

[IZwack]

Another way to test your front-left wheel is to jack up the front and move the front-left wheel up and down and side to side. If it seems a little loose (there's "play" on the wheel), then the wheel bearings are probably going bad.

Since you have a 2nd Generation Explorer, Ford has decided that you *must* replace the entire wheel-bearing hub assembly (which includes a new ABS sensor). The assembly will probably cost you more if you get it from your Fold dealer. I got mine from a local PepBoys for $178. My brother got his for his '97X from a local Napa a month ago for around $250... so its worth your time to shop around.

Replacing this assembly isnt very hard. With the proper tools and a manual, it shouldnt take you more than an hour and a half to two hours. The entire assembly in fact is held in by only three bolts! Make sure you have the proper tools before you start though. It'd help a lot if you had a family friend or some1 else who has some experience with cars.

 

[Dyerstr8s]

Cost

Oh great! That does seem a little spendy--especially if I had to compute labor on top of that. I do have a friend that can do it--but it's finding the time.

I will let you know how it turns out.

 

[Dyerstr8s]

Noise diagnosed

The noise wasn't in a wheel after all. It was because 2 U joints were bad--and a center stablizer (or something like that) for the drive shaft. It cost $179.00. I was a little upset because I wanted to know the cost before they fixed it..and they didn't call. But oh well, at least it's taken care of. I still have to worry about the transmission. Geez--this Explorer is draining me!

 

[Sir Robin]

$179. sounds like a fair price to replace 2 U-joints plus whatever else it was. My truck needs a U-joint right now, and I'd let a shop do ONE for that price in my area.

 

[IZwack]

We're all in this together. I too will soon be having transmission problems (pushed it a little too hard off roading in the snow). These transmissions aren't exactly the greatest out there.

they say that the bicycle is the perfect machine... im starting to believe that.