Strange rotational noise in left front

[94stockexpl]

All:

I don't know what's causing this noise and am hoping someone can help out.
It started 3 days ago out of the blue. Sounds like something rubbing every time the wheel goes around. As I speed up it speeds up; as I slow down it does also. When I come to a complete stop, ther last couple of revolutions of the left front wheel sound like something is "creaking" for lack of a better word.
I have replaced wheel bearings and races, as a mechanic I know suggested them after riding with me and hearing the noise. I did not have access to a socket for the bearing nut so I used a BF channellock pliers and gave it all I could, pausing to turn the rotor as I tightened it down. Then I backed it off and finger-tightened it, replaced the lock key and finished it up. Took it out and after about 3 miles of driving around town the noise returned. I went home, pulled the thing apart only to find that the rotor was wobbling on the bearings/spindle like I had not even tightened it. SO I tightened it again, this time leaving the nut a bit tighter when relacing the lock key.
I'm leaving town with it for about a 50 mile round trip this evening. Will be back around 11:00 PM and will check to see if anyone has any ideas and also to report what happens

My biggest querstion is this: What else is there in that wheel/hub/spindle area that could make a noise as the thing rotates? 4WD can not engage as I've gutted the auto hubs and pulled the cam off the spindle temporarily. )It needs the auto hub washer fix yet and I just found the washers.

Whatever anyone can suggest I'll listenh to and try
Thanks

John

 

[Tbars4]

...It still sounds like your wheel bearings...Read this thread and it should help understand a couple things...
http://www.explorerforum.com/forums/showthread.php?t=199915

...If you are looking for washers too swap from auto hubs to manual hubs, this link will help..
http://www.explorerforum.com/forums/showpost.php?p=1867081&postcount=457

 

[94stockexpl]

I read that post. Sounds like it's more of a rotor problem then.
When I say I've gutted the auto hubs, I mean I've pulled the insides of the hub "cap" out and taken the cam off the spindle. I don't have manual hubs, so the info about tightening the inner and outer nuts wouldn't apply to mine.


BTW The trip last night: 50 miles of mostly highway driving and it did NOT start whining, grinding or creaking. Maybe I'm just going to have to check the nut/bearings regularly.
Wish there was a "head-scratching" icon I could insert here !!!!

 

[RangerX]

All:

What else is there in that wheel/hub/spindle area that could make a noise as the thing rotates?

I'd look at the brakes.

 

[94stockexpl]

When I had it apart yesterday, I thought the calipers, pads etc looked OK, but I'll take another look later today.
Anything speciifc that you'd recommend I check?
FWIW, I put new guide pins (lubed with anti-sieze) and anti-rattle clips in about the same time the noise started. You don't suppose one of them is the cause of it?? I don't see how, but I guess anything's possible.

 

[94stockexpl]

Since my last post, I have put around 220 miles on it and have heard none of the noises that it was making.

The brakes and associated parts look OK to me, so I don't know that they are an issue.

I just saw an old thread yesterday that mentioned the spindle being worn down on the lower side and that causing some noises and "loose" bearings.
Also saw one that talked about not getting the races fully seated in the rotors, but I know they are in mine. I did not bookmark either one and probably won't be able to find again, but when I get a chance I'll have a look at the spindles. Maybe 14 years of wear have affected them and I have the nuts tight enough to cover up that wear.

:scratch:

 

[94xlt]

fun with brakes

New guide pins sometimes make aligning the caliper square to the rotor, Mine did something similar but, I spun my wheel before sitting it back on the ground. And I have after taking apart and reassembling and later taking apart again had the rotor seem like it was never tightened -make sure the rotor is seated all the way back on the shoulder on the spindle. Now that the noise is gone (if it didn't make a sound after the reassembly)I would re-torque the lug nuts for safety's sake. Of course this is assuming your brake fluid did not drop significantly and your brakes 'feel' solid with no vibration.

 

[pugsy]

My dust sheild just for the rotor rusted out and broke off this weekend and made a rubbing/grinding noise with the rotor and wheel. I just ripped it right out and left it off.

 

[mamagonzo]

I'm having the same noise in my back passenger tire area. I had a mechanic check it yesterday. He said my brakes are fine and that was just some brake dust there causing noise. He said he cleaned it but, it's still making the same annoying noise. I don't think that was the problem. It's like a rotational squeak.....the faster I go the faster the sound is......