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Ford Explorer Community - Maintenance - Modifications - Performance Upgrades - Problem Solving - Off-Road - Street
Explorer Forum Covers the Explorer ST, Explorer Sport, Explorer Sport Trac, Lincoln Aviator, Mercury Mountaineer, Mazda Navajo, Ford Ranger, Mazda Pickups, and the Ford Aerostar
I have noticed lately that I seem to be getting a lot more road noise from the rear of my 02. It has the factory spec. michilan tires and I have not had this issue before. I have checked the pumpkin oil and it is full along with the brakes and bearings seem to be ok. Any ideas?
Thanks
ok you need to define "road noise"... tires turning? a metallic sound? a "whoop-whoop-whoop" sound, a grinding rotational sound?
What does it SOUND like, not what you think it might be, but describe the sound. Metalic? rotational? what speeds? on acceleration, constant speed or slowing down? street/in-town, highway, or both?
also you said Michilen "oe spec" tires... as in OE size? I don't think the Mich's were the OE tire were they? How old are the tires? Did you try moving the rear tires forward, fronts to the back ?
First for the tires, I was told by the dealer that those were the original tires.
Second, the sound is not metalic, grinding, whistling, or up and down (woop-woop). It builds with the speed of the vehicle to a certain point (starts about 15-20MPH) and then stays a constant level with your speed (like what would happen if you have very aggressive mud tires). I took a mechanical friend with me and he road in the front and back of the car and couild not locate it either. He also said to him it sounds like "tire" road noise but that there is notheing wrong with my tires and he has the same on his rig and they make no noise. Street and highway sounds the same just louder at higher speeds.
We've checked the spare tire to see if was loose or had problems, pulled open the third seat and jack storage area and still nothing. All the seals around the doors and hatch are good, everything closes tight and doesn't rattle.
Your "dealer" is trying to SELL you Michelin Tires. OE Tires would have been Goodyear or Continental, if memory serves me, after the Firestone Debacle.
What brand, model, and size of tires are on the truck now? Any suspension or braking mods?
Not sure about the tire issue but am only repeating what the dealer told me. I was not attempting to purchase tires as mine still have 60+% of the tread on them and none of them going "off-road", this has been a pavement only 4x4. Anyway, the size is 235/70R16 Michelin LTX M/S, no modifications of anykind have been done to the vehicle. It is completely stock.
Michelin Cross Terrains were stock tires for XLT and Eddie Bauers Limited models had the Goodrich tires. LTX are replacement tires for Sears, Sams. If your friend has cross terrains and are same size as yours, swap out with yours and listen for the noise. If still same start going down the path for bearings
Not sure about the tire issue but am only repeating what the dealer told me. I was not attempting to purchase tires as mine still have 60+% of the tread on them and none of them going "off-road", this has been a pavement only 4x4. Anyway, the size is 235/70R16 Michelin LTX M/S, no modifications of anykind have been done to the vehicle. It is completely stock.
It could very well be cupped tires...I've thought wheel bearings were bad and it was just cupped tires...
Up until a year ago I had the same michelins...
I'd suspect cupped tires
