Slight whine/groan during deceleration

[Triton8273]

The past week I have noticed a slight whine/groan in the front end during deceleration coming down from 45-40mph and no where else.

Mainly hear it when letting off the gas and decelerating and hear it way less if the brake is depressed.

Any ideas on where or what to look for?

2004 4.0L 4wd

Thanks

 

[rocco123]

Haven't heard of front end whine, only rear end. Did you search the site?

 

[Triton8273]

Trust me, I had never heard of anyone with a front end whine either until I had to search.

This story (http://www.explorerforum.com/forums/showthread.php?t=239556&highlight=front+end+whine) is the closest one I could find to mine. Everyone else was having a whine either below 20 or above 60 and during acceleration where mine is during deceleration. And as you can see, he got no answers.

 

[rocco123]

Maybe pinion bearing is going bad similar to the rear end whine issue that a lot of people have? This site is your best chance for finding the answer. Maybe something is loose and hitting the drive shaft and when you decellerate it's falling forward to make the contact? I have heard of this issue in a Jeep website and it turned out others on that site had the same issue. It's probably a long shot but.... http://jeepsunlimited.com/forums/showthread.php?t=546508

 

[boominXplorer]

The rear end in the 3rd gens whine usually starts with carrier bearings or that is what i found. I started with 4 new wheel bearings to rule those out also. In my 04 with 102k the left side carrier bearing was well pitted up. I only drove it a few miles before I rebuilt it and noticed the noise at speeds 45+.

Now with everything quiet I have a vibration in the front end. I have all new ball joints, both wheel bearings, fresh alignment and swapped wheels and tires and no change in the noise at all. All that is left is driveshaft, c/v's and front diff. My vibration starts at about 57mph to about 65mph where it goes away. It also seems to mellow out if its in 4x4 high which makes me think its in the front diff. I am going to tear the diff apart as soon as I get all the parts together to do so.

Note- If you have a vibration and you have not done wheel bearings yet just start there!!!