now what?

[domeshot14]

got a little problem here I just replaced both front hubs on my 99 XLT about a week ago with new ones from O'reillys. it rides better now but I can still hear the same sound that is associated with bad hubs..where it coincides with the revolution of the tires. It seems to be more pronounced when turning (same in either direction). I can feel it in the floor, pedals, and a little bit in the steering wheel. I know the 2 front tires are worn very bad and cupped a little bit, the lower ball joints need to be replaced, but other than that there really isn't anything else wrong in the front..at least not that I can see. Shocks, tie rod ends, brake pads/rotors, sway bar bushings/end links all replaced within the last year. Could it be something with the rack and pinion? I haven't checked the new hubs for play and I would like to think I didn't buy duds. Anyone else have some ideas as to what it might be?

 

[imp]

....... It seems to be more pronounced when turning (same in either direction). .......

4X4, as listed? How about a bad outboard CV joint? imp

 

[silentchris]

if its 4x4 it could also be the front diff not sure about explorer front diffs but if you can change the fluid look at it be on the lookout for anything metallic

 

[imp]

if its 4x4 it could also be the front diff not sure about explorer front diffs but if you can change the fluid look at it be on the lookout for anything metallic

On most of the aluminum front diffs. I've seen, there is no drain plug provided, so one must remove the cover plate to drain; no big thing there.

Good suggestion, though, to check fluid for bad contamination! imp

 

[my pos mounty]

Draining the front diff is not as clear cut as you may think for the 95-01's. You can't access all the diff cover bolts without dropping the entire assembly out of the truck.
(Well, At least not on the V8 5.0, pretty sure the V6 is the same)

On the drivers side of the front diff is the fill hole.
You remove it the same as the rear diff fill, 3/8 extension.
You can suck out most of the old fluid thru the fill hole, then refill with new fluid. You won't get it all, but you will get most of it.

 

[imp]

Never looked closely at my '96 or '99, regarding front diff., but my '04 cover plate is easily accessible, all bolts; all 3 Expls. were V-6s. imp

 

[Bill Kemp]

Could be one of the hubs is bad. Not all "new" parts are good.
I had that problem on a 96 rack&pinion.
Just a thought.....

 

[Rudy602]

It wouldn't hurt to address the problems you already know exist. Hard to rule in or out what a combination of bad parts could be causing.

-I'd think more like cv joint than rack and pinion, rack just goes back and forth - left to right - not around and around like the tires. I did change my rack because the inner tie rod ends were gone [100K miles] and the new [rebuilt] rack came with the new ends and cost about the same as the tie rod ends alone. [and got a lifetime warranty]

 

[domeshot14]

Thank you everyone I appreciate all the input. I listened a little closer the last few days and noticed that the noise/rubbing is only pronounced when turning left. So on a hunch I jacked up the front today..grabbed a hold of the right front tire..and just as I suspected, there was play in it! Bad hub already! And it hasn't even been 2 weeks since I replaced them! Also, my ABS light came on tonight. I'm hoping it just has something to do with the faulty hub. I got a little lazy when I was replacing the hubs and on the one that is currently bad I used the original ABS sensor wire versus the new one that came with the hub. Yea, I know, if they give you a new one..you should probably use it.

Anyway it looks like I'll be making an extra trip to O'Reilly's this week. Hopefully that will be taken care of this weekend at the latest. Front diff doesn't look like it would be too tough. Seems to be easily accessible. I'll keep you guys posted.