Question on Strange "road noise" from left front

[Nuke001]

This is my first post here as we just picked up a 2006 Explorer 2WD last week and joined the forum . . .looming forward to gaining insight into the Explorer as well as sharing lessons learned over time on my end.

Here's my question . . . . .

Picked it up from a GMC dealer who took it in on trade. It is a 2006 with 122K on it. 4.0L and 2WD.

Here's what the issue is . . . . there sounds like "road noise" or a sort of roar coming from the drivers front. It is not so much speed dependent as it is direction dependent . . .if you turn the wheel to the right, the noise virtually disappears. You can do this even on the highway and change lanes - go to the right, noise drops . . . go to the left, noise increases slightly. So it does not take a sharp right turn to make a difference.

I took it to my mechanic and replaced the LF wheel bearing and upper tie rod on Friday but this weekend, same noise.

The tires seem to be wearing evenly; i.e., no cupping or uneven spots.

There is virtually no play in the steering and the alignment was just done as well.

Any thoughts on what might be the culprit . . hate to go the "Easter Egging" route and have parts swapped oiut hoping that is what the cause was.

Thanks in advance

Andy

 

[07EddyB]

According to your symptoms then the RF bearing was bad but you replaced the LF. If you turn to the right and the noise decreases then that would mean a bad right bearing - not a bad left bearing.

 

[Explorer_PL]

"go to the right, noise drops . . . " - LF bearing OK

"go to the left, noise increases slightly" - RF bearing bad

"I took it to my mechanic and replaced the LF wheel bearing" - replaced wrong side ? Why did he thing it was left side ?

 

[Nuke001]

Appreciate the quick feedback received on this question . . . . took it back to the mechanic and here is a response you don't get everyday anymore . . . . the owner was nearby when I talked to the guy at the front and after hearing what had happened, the owner said "Leave the truck and we will get it taken care of . . . and we will cover the cost (for both the bearing and labor).

Can't beat that and hopefully the noise will be gone tomorrow . . .

Andy

 

[Davidm53]

Half the battle with the wheel bearings is figuring out which one is bad.
My right rear took about a year to troubleshoot. I waited for it to make more noise to help diagnose it.

Left front drivers replaced last week and was easier to discover.
Took it to tire chain shop and they found it by spinning the wheel and feeling the grinding on the shock next to the hub.
Already had a hub in a box and had it replaced a few days later.

 

[07EddyB]

So I take it they replaced the wrong bearing. I guess I could make a comment about the shop but hey - I'm not sure anyone knows more about bearings than we do. We all have way too much experience in the matter.

Cost of ownership I think they call it.

 

[Nuke001]

Well I picked the Explorer up today and amazing what a bearing can do in terms of annoying noise . . . . drove up to Detroit and back and it was like a brand new car . . . . the shop did a great job and stood behind their work . . . can't ask for more.

Thanks for your input as that was well received by the shop