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[Afoulk27]

I have a 1999 Explorer limited V8 and I'm having issues with a howling screeching sound coming out of the front, i did take it to a shop here in town and there saying its the front differential, but I think it might be other issuse then just that maybe the hub bearing or half shaft first ford I've bought. Any help would be greatly appreciated.

 

[koda2000]

I have a 1999 Explorer limited V8 and I'm having issues with a howling screeching sound coming out of the front, i did take it to a shop here in town and there saying its the front differential, but I think it might be other issuse then just that maybe the hub bearing or half shaft first ford I've bought. Any help would be greatly appreciated.

Howling is usually a problem with the diff. The noise might be related to a hub bearing, but worn half shafts don't howl. Maybe someone who has had worn hub bearings will give their opinion, but in my experience hub bearings tend to growl when they're bad.

I'd look for a good used diff, as rebuilding one is expensive and if not done right you'll still have noise.

 

[chefduane]

I swapped out my front hub bearings last year. And yeah, they have a low growl when going bad. I think the passenger side was the only one bad, but I did both just because.
A howl sound is probably not a bad bearing. Sure its not a bad PS pump?

 

[intelisevil]

I swapped out my front hub bearings last year. And yeah, they have a low growl when going bad. I think the passenger side was the only one bad, but I did both just because.
A howl sound is probably not a bad bearing. Sure its not a bad PS pump?

And sometimes they don't make much noise at all and just kind of flop back and forth as you go through a series of 'S' turns in the mountains at 55 mph . . .

That's how I figured out I needed to replace my first hub assembly when I was still an Explorer newbie. It scared the poop out of me when I got home and saw what was going on.

Back to the OP - I agree with buying a used one, double check your gear ratio first! Once you have the CV axles out I think there's only about 4 bolts holding in the differential assembly. I'd pop the cover, clean it out and give it some fresh gear oil before reinstalling.

Good Luck,

 

[Afoulk27]

Howling is usually a problem with the diff. The noise might be related to a hub bearing, but worn half shafts don't howl. Maybe someone who has had worn hub bearings will give their opinion, but in my experience hub bearings tend to growl when they're bad.

I'd look for a good used diff, as rebuilding one is expensive and if not done right you'll still have noise.

Well took it to another mechanic and he says I'm having a hub bearing issue, I'm aggravated that someone that says there a mechanic drives the car less then 500 ft and automatically assumes its the front differential

 

[VCOSH28]

OP, did you ever find the problem? Dealing with the same issue right now.