Wheel bearing hub noise problem - replaced hub and noise came back

[lgmagone]

I have a 2004 Ford Explorer Eddie Bauer, with 110,000 miles on it.

Had wheel bearing noise issues. Believed it was left side and replaced the hub. Now, three weeks later, I am hearing a noise again. From what I can tell, it sounds like it is coming from the left side again!

Any suggestions? Should I change side bearing? Could something have caused the recently replaced bearing to fail?

I followed the procedure on here carefully and spent lots of time looking over each step, so I'm confident that I did everything correct. Haven't looked under the vehicle recently, will try to do that tonight.

 

[lgmagone]

Some additional information:

Noise sounds like a bad wheel bearing. It is noisiest when accelerating above 10-15mph, and goes away when braking. Sounds equally loud sitting in either driver or passenger seat.

 

[2002GreyHD150]

well...

1. where did you purchase the replacement part? new or used?

2. warranty for said replacement part?

all of the new replacement parts have at least a 1 yr warranty.

Most pick-n-pull's have a 90 day warranty.

If its the same side, short of not getting it seated properly, there really isn't a way to mess up the front hub replacement. 3 bolts.. tighten them up... plug in the abs... done.

Rob

 

[lgmagone]

It was a new Timken. I don't think the wheel bearing was bad. Either bad installation or something else on the car that is making the noise.

What do you mean by not seating it properly?

 

[2002GreyHD150]

the hub is a semi-interference fit. Meaning it goes in tight/snug. but doesn't require driving it in to install it.

Did you replace the hub or have someone do it for you?

the hub has (3) mounting ears/bolts the trick to installing them is to keep the hub away from the mounting face and work the bolts evenly to "walk" the hub in evenly. This helps fight the tight clearance issue for your tools behind the wheel stud flange.

If you paid someone to put it in, take it back asap and have them diagnose.

Timken is like the Bosch of Bearings. They rarely are bad out of the box or die prematurely.

If you did the install. blow it apart, the 2nd time is 20x easier, and take it in and get a new one. I would advise calling ahead to be sure they have it in stock. so you don't hahve a day's wait time like I did when I did the 2nd side on the wife's monty.

Rob

 

[lgmagone]

It's too soon to tear into the newly installed Timken bearing. I haven't even figured out if the noise is coming from that bearing, or if it is bearing noise at all.

Before, the bearing noise did not go away when I braked. Today, it does. I am also hearing a clicking noise - what sounds like one click per revolution.

Could it be the right bearing, or something else?

 

[2002GreyHD150]

that's the challenge... getting your ears to find the direction of the noise. have someone else ride with you have them tell you where they hear it.

I'm blessed with dog-like hearing, as my wife calls it... I call it a curse. Cuz I can hear and pin point every lil squeak, groan, rub, or noise as I drive.

To put some perspective on our Monty, the right/pass front was dying, causing ABS codes and other issues. no noise, then the "whoop whoop whoop" started. So i replaced it before the clicking stated.

The LEft/driver's front went from silent too light click in like 4 miles. Replaced both about 1 year, 15,000 apart. no noises.

Rob

 

[SyberTiger]

I recently change both my front wheel bearing hub assemblies on my 2002 Explorer with 118K miles on it. Even though it was clear from a "wobble test" it was the left-front I replaced both since I figured the right-front potentially wasn't far behind the left-front. I wonder if your other one went out 3 weeks after the first one that died?

Jack up the car and do a wobble/rotate test just as a sanity check to eliminate the obvious. Also, take a look at the brake pads/rotors just to make sure something funky isn't going on with them.

 

[pet575]

Also a possibility of a bad CV joint with that clicking sound you're hearing.

 

[2002GreyHD150]

both of these are valid as well.. I know my wife's monty went 3-4 months before the right side showed signs of failure.

Rob

 

[lgmagone]

Update: Decided it was likely the left wheel bearing. Changed it out over the weekend, noise went away.

Will keep you posted on whether it comes back again.

 

[dominion7]

Same Issue 2010 Explorer Wheel Bearing

I know this thread is old, but wanted to see if anyone has an idea.
I had the same issue as above..except after hearing the noise I waited a couple of weeks to change the hub assembly. before I could get to the saturday to change it I got RSC alarms and ABS lights and the ABS kept kicking in so I couldn't drive it. So, I disconnected the sensor, drove it to my friends garage so I could get out of the elements to change the assembly. I changed the assembly with a $205 Duralast wheel bearing hub assembly, which comes with a new sensor attached.. Got in to drive and I still had the same issue with RSC warnings and ABS lights. I disconnected the sensor so I could drive it and found I still had the same wheel bearing noise.. Discouraged and out of time, I waited to the following saturday, returned the bearing I bought thining it was bad out of the box, and replaced it again, and again I have the same exact issues..RSC Warnings, ABS lights, and the low growling from the bearing..I'm at a loss except for taking it to Ford and spending a ton of money.. any ideas??

Thanks in advance..

 

[tr87526]

This jst happened to me. Replaced the front driverside wheel bearing last week. (Mechanic bought a duralast bearing) However there is still a loud humming sound and a slight vibration you can feel in the pedals. Its hard to hear under 50mph but on the highway it is very loud. I will take it back in this week and let you know what I find out

 

[dominion7]

What did you find out?

 

[tr87526]

Turned out to be the passenger side front bearing. No, the mechanic is not scamming me. I was there when we road tested it and put it up on the lift. We both agreed it sounded like it was coming from the drivers side again.