Rubbing sound when driving straight or turning left only.

[mg93108]

My 1992 4x4 with automatic transmission pulls slightly to the right....but that's not the issue.
The issue is that there is a rubbing type sound...or excessive road noise, or something like that,

If I drive straight or curve left there is a noise that sounds like something is rubbing in the front. The more I turn it to the left, the louder it is.

I've had the alignment done three times at two different shops. The wheels have been balanced multiple times and they have been rotated and swapped around....but the sound doesn't go away. The shop thought that it was the front right bearing replaced it with new. And the left one was in good condition. The brake pads are brand new. The shop doesn't see anything wrong and can't figure this out.

What do you all think is going on? Is this common? What's your advice for this specific vehicle?
I'm wondering if this is a "known issue" or at least familiar to one of you.

Thanks so much for sharing your knowledge

 

[wollimann]

pulls slightly to the right....but that's not the issue.

For me it sounds like the front wheel alignment is not at 100%, maybe toe out at the passenger side.
Is there any visible signs of tire wear inside/outside? Are the tie rod ends checked with no play?
It also could be that a brake caliper piston does not go back as it should.

excessive road noise

Caused by MT tires or old tires, sorry have no glue but i think it is not a common poblem.

 

[410Fortune]

Do you have manual or auto hubs?

How are the u joints?

Have you tried removing the front driveshaft see if the noise persists?

It sounds like maybe hub is locked and thus u joint is spinning and maybe the driveshaft is spinning if both hubs are locked

Auto hubs are known to fail and lock up

A rumbling noise that is present when going straight and then louder when turning is usually a wheel bearing. But since the left wheel bearing checks out. Alignment and tire balance is good we must look deeper

 

[mg93108]

For me it sounds like the front wheel alignment is not at 100%, maybe toe out at the passenger side.
Is there any visible signs of tire wear inside/outside? Are the tie rod ends checked with no play?
It also could be that a brake caliper piston does not go back as it should.


Caused by MT tires or old tires, sorry have no glue but i think it is not a common poblem.

Yes, this makes sense...but as I mentioned, this doesn't have to do with tires nor alignment. Both of those things have been addressed. The tires are all new and have been balanced and rotated and swapped around multiple times. I fully expected that it would be this. Seems pretty simple but that's not the issue...unfortunately.

 

[mg93108]

Do you have manual or auto hubs?

How are the u joints?

Have you tried removing the front driveshaft see if the noise persists?

It sounds like maybe hub is locked and thus u joint is spinning and maybe the driveshaft is spinning if both hubs are locked

Auto hubs are known to fail and lock up

A rumbling noise that is present when going straight and then louder when turning is usually a wheel bearing. But since the left wheel bearing checks out. Alignment and tire balance is good we must look deeper

That's a really good thought. Now that you mention it, I remember it happening it "all of the sudden"....and I had been using the 4x4 shortly before that.

 

[410Fortune]

Auto hubs blah

We convert to manual hubs
Those auto hubs are 32 years young now

 

[wollimann]

Is this common?

Reading through the forum after the hint of 410Fortune the auto hubs maybe not disengaged now.
A write up to test and clean them.

Diagnosing automatic locking hub problems

I went through this recently, and didn't find any information here on doing this, so after working it out on my own, I thought I would post this. First off: How to check that your locking hubs are working correctly. Put your truck in park. Make sure it is in 2WD high. Set the parking...

www.explorerforum.com

Some information

Wheel Hub (Locking): Service and Repair — 1992 Ford Explorer 4WD V6-245 4.0L Service Manual | Operation CHARM

Detailed repair manual for the 1992 Ford Explorer 4WD V6-245 4.0L.

charm.li

Automatic Hublock - Diagnosis/Service Tips — 1992 Ford Explorer 4WD V6-245 4.0L Service Manual | Operation CHARM

Detailed repair manual for the 1992 Ford Explorer 4WD V6-245 4.0L.

charm.li

Right Hand Slip Yoke and Stub Shaft Assembly (4WD) — 1992 Ford Explorer 4WD V6-245 4.0L Service Manual | Operation CHARM

Detailed repair manual for the 1992 Ford Explorer 4WD V6-245 4.0L.

charm.li

Spindle, Shaft and Joint (4WD) — 1992 Ford Explorer 4WD V6-245 4.0L Service Manual | Operation CHARM

Detailed repair manual for the 1992 Ford Explorer 4WD V6-245 4.0L.

charm.li

Conversion to manual hubs is cheaper than "good used" automatic hubs.

Pardon Our Interruption...

Pardon Our Interruption...

Plastic part and the internals of the hub maybe messed up with old grease/dirt,
so i hope there are no broken parts and a cleanup will fix your issue.

good luck

 

[mg93108]

Reading through the forum after the hint of 410Fortune the auto hubs maybe not disengaged now.
A write up to test and clean them.

Diagnosing automatic locking hub problems

I went through this recently, and didn't find any information here on doing this, so after working it out on my own, I thought I would post this. First off: How to check that your locking hubs are working correctly. Put your truck in park. Make sure it is in 2WD high. Set the parking...

www.explorerforum.com

Some information

Wheel Hub (Locking): Service and Repair — 1992 Ford Explorer 4WD V6-245 4.0L Service Manual | Operation CHARM

Detailed repair manual for the 1992 Ford Explorer 4WD V6-245 4.0L.

charm.li

Automatic Hublock - Diagnosis/Service Tips — 1992 Ford Explorer 4WD V6-245 4.0L Service Manual | Operation CHARM

Detailed repair manual for the 1992 Ford Explorer 4WD V6-245 4.0L.

charm.li

Right Hand Slip Yoke and Stub Shaft Assembly (4WD) — 1992 Ford Explorer 4WD V6-245 4.0L Service Manual | Operation CHARM

Detailed repair manual for the 1992 Ford Explorer 4WD V6-245 4.0L.

charm.li

Spindle, Shaft and Joint (4WD) — 1992 Ford Explorer 4WD V6-245 4.0L Service Manual | Operation CHARM

Detailed repair manual for the 1992 Ford Explorer 4WD V6-245 4.0L.

charm.li

Conversion to manual hubs is cheaper than "good used" automatic hubs.

Pardon Our Interruption...

Pardon Our Interruption...

Plastic part and the internals of the hub maybe messed up with old grease/dirt,
so i hope there are no broken parts and a cleanup will fix your issue.

good luck

Thank you, this is super helpful.