Whine in front end

[Cue]

I just bought a 98 EB with a 5.0 V8 AWD and 97K miles. I hear a steady whine in the front somewhere and was wondering what it could be? Does the front transfer case need fluid changes? Im not sure if thats where its coming from or not but it definatly sounds like from the front. I changed the brakes tonight and noticed that they have never been changed but that didn't make a difference in the sound.

 

[ExplorerDMB]

t-case fluid changing is important. There's a sticky in the Transmission section about chaning that fluid. Also - the noise is probably the front driveshaft, the boots sometimes split and cause noise

-Drew

 

[BrooklynBay]

Welcome to this forum! Did you check your power steering fluid level? Ford pumps are known to have a whine if the level is low.

 

[Cue]

Checked the boots on the shafts and they are fine, checked the power steering also as that is what it sounds like but not quite that loud. I will check on changing the fluid. Its more of a steady whine that gets louder with speed. Thanks.

 

[ExplorerDMB]

may be a front or rear differential bearing

-Drew

 

[BrooklynBay]

What about a bearing on something belt driven, like the P/S pump, alternator, water pump, etc.? Disconnect one of the belts, and listen for the sound. Maybe one of the belts is too tight, and is stressing a bearing.

 

[ExplorerDMB]

Theres only one serp. belt (which has a self-tensioner) - crap, I don't know this slipped my mind - the idle air control valve can whine like crazy sometimes.

-Drew

 

[Cue]

Well changed the transfer case fluid today, was black and burnt. Still have the noise. I am pretty sure it is coming from the front differential so ill probably just live with it.

 

[dml85]

My explorer used to whine when i idle and get louder when i accelerate. It turns out my lower idler pulley was bad. My serp belt stopping turning and my lower idler pulley locked up. Replaced that and now it's completely quiet. Now all i gotta do is save up for TM headers

 

[MONMIX]

. I hear a steady whine in the front somewhere .

I just tell her to shut up