Wheel Bearing Noise???

[BigNutz]

So I read a bunch of posts about potential wheel bearing issues, but none really match what I'm getting. So I have a 2006 EB V8. Starting at roughly 5 MPH a "Wan Wan Wan" starts and is directly proportionate to in frequency to the speed of the vehicle. I would describe the noise as a harmonic, if that makes any sense.

It's not a grind, and turning has no impact on it. Interestingly enough, it seems decrease sharply, almst going away at about 75 MPH. Like the "Wan's" run into each other and it's a constant but low volume "waaaaaaaaaaaan". It sounds like I'm on one of those grate bridges, only not as loud. When I do hear it, it seems to be coming from the driver side, but I'm not sure if that's because I site on that side (obviously) and I just can't hear the other side.

Does that sound like a bearing or could it be a tire misbalanced or something? I just had it inspected in MD, part of which includes doing the wjeel play tet on the lift, and it passed.

Any help is appreciated.

BN

 

[03 Explorer XLT]

Sounds like a bearing to me. You'll know for sure if the ABS light comes on. I think these bearings have to be real bad before there's any noticeable play.

 

[TourGuide]

How many miles do you have on that 06? If you have anything over 60k, it is most likely bearings. The symptoms you describe sound exactly like bearings to me and pretty much mirror what mine sounded like before I replaced them. I did all 4 wheels - fronts first, then backs.

 

[BigNutz]

Sounds like a bearing to me. You'll know for sure if the ABS light comes on. I think these bearings have to be real bad before there's any noticeable play.

I don't know who you are or what powers of witchcraft you have, sir. Literally the next morning (this morning) I go out, start it up, and what is staring at me? A damned wrench and an ABS light!!!! Good call! I stopped for gas and when I restarted it went out, so a good first indication...

 

[BigNutz]

How many miles do you have on that 06? If you have anything over 60k, it is most likely bearings. The symptoms you describe sound exactly like bearings to me and pretty much mirror what mine sounded like before I replaced them. I did all 4 wheels - fronts first, then backs.

~86,000. So with the rear assembly, all the ones I look up on the Internet say "Non-ABS use".What's the deal with that? Is there not a wire to hook up back there? How long did you go with the noise? Did you replace them yourself? It looks pretty easy with the right tools. I want to save as much as I can with an assembly that expensive....

 

[03 Explorer XLT]

The ABS failure is actually useful in this case since it's built into the bearing. A diagnostic scanner will tell you which wheel bearing is bad so you don't have to guess.

I replaced a front bearing on a 2003, twice. It wasn't too bad. The one tool you really need is a deep offset wrench. I used a Craftsman 44362.

I don't recall the trusted brand name most people use, but the first one I put on was from the local parts store because the one I ordered didn't arrive by the time I sprinkled little pieces of bearing all over the highway. I think it lasted about a week after the ABS light came on. The cheap parts store bearing lasted almost 1 year.

 

[TourGuide]

Not having all the tools I did not replace them myself. To save money I shopped the parts online and saved that way. The fronts I found for $500 for the pair (Motorcraft). Those are all in one hubs with the abs sensor attached. The backs can be found either way, as hub assemblies or straight bearings. I bought the straight bearings and had the old ones pressed out and the new ones pressed in by the shop that did the work. On the backs I went with Timkens ($110 for the pair on Amazon).

Once they were making noise pretty much noticably I replaced the fronts first (didn't drive for long with them bad). My plan was to go some months before I did the backs, but I changed my mind and did the backs about a month later. It really quieted things down after the fronts. When both sets were done the difference was surprising.

If you are going to do them yourself the fronts are easier than the backs. Fronts, because they are all in one units it is just a matter of getting the old hub off and the new one in and plugging the abs sensor in. The backs require you to take apart a good amount of the rear suspension - then pressing the old bearing out and the new one in - then reassembling the whole thing.

 

[edwx]

Also keep an open mind to the problem being a cracked tone ring which is also fairly common. Although a cracked tone ring usually generates the skidding vehicle light also.

 

[BigNutz]

Also keep an open mind to the problem being a cracked tone ring which is also fairly common. Although a cracked tone ring usually generates the skidding vehicle light also.

What is that because the skidding light came on too? I just figured it came with the ABS light....no ABS no anti-skid...Is that a bad assumption? It went back off when I restared it and I have not seen it. Would I see a cracked tone ring if I did the bearing job? I wonder if tbhat would be covered under the extended warranty, the bearings and hub are not....

I was going to try and go until mid-December before I replaced them, but the talk of bearing parts spraying the highway a week after the light comes on scares me.....I just hate to pay a mechanic so much money to do something I could do on my own. Problem is I'm not at home with tools and jack-stands....Maybe I'll just have the one done and then do the rest when I get tof the house..

 

[edwx]

My cracked tone ring generated all 3 lights.....abs, wrench, and anti-skid. It might be covered under the warranty. I let the dealer fix mine for about $350 because the axle has to be pulled. You should be able to see the cracked ring. It's a big ring that looks kinda like a gear. You could wait, but might not have abs.

My bad bearing on my '03 X generated an abs light, but we didn't have the powertrain light and traction control light back then. Not sure how many lights are generated by bad bearings on the '06's.

 

[BigNutz]

My cracked tone ring generated all 3 lights.....abs, wrench, and anti-skid. It might be covered under the warranty. I let the dealer fix mine for about $350 because the axle has to be pulled. You should be able to see the cracked ring. It's a big ring that looks kinda like a gear. You could wait, but might not have abs.

My bad bearing on my '03 X generated an abs light, but we didn't have the powertrain light and traction control light back then. Not sure how many lights are generated by bad bearings on the '06's.

So only on the rear axle? I can't see it in the front. It looks like one of my rear was already replaced, as it's about twice the size as the other side.

 

[edwx]

They're on the front too. Yeah the replacement ones are alot thicker, from what I've heard.

 

[BigNutz]

Alright, got the diagnoses today. It is a bad bearing, but not the one I thought. It's actually the driver side rear. Apparently it's pretty bad too, going to be covered by the extended warranty (-$100), so that's good. The not so good news is the exhaust manifold stud and consequent seal failure is going to cost me ~$700. Of course if the word exhaust is mentioned, no warranty coverage. Oh well, so goes the fun of buying a used car.....I also had a high frequency rattle at high RPM during quick acceleration which I was hoping was a loose heat shield somewhere. No such luck, that rattle is internal parts that are now loose in the resonator....Again...exhaust....That we will save for later.

 

[SBV45]

Yup, my front wheel hub bearings went. I got them replaced and then I could hear the one in the right rear. I got that replaced so then I could hear/feel the front diff. Turned out to be carrier and pinion bearings in the diff. Gears were okay. I have 65k on the odometer.
It was a used car out of warranty at 65K.