wop-wop noise with a bit of vibration...but wheel feels tight

[ccernst]

I think I've got an odd thing going on. two weeks ago, I put in new u-joints, shocks, and rotated tires. I haven't rotated tires in a year. Since then, I've noticed something odd. I hear a "wop-wop-wop" noise that sounds kinda like a broken belt in the tire. At first I didn't feel anything, but now I feel a slight grind/vibration in the floor board during each "wop". I've rolled down the window, but can't hear it as much as if I have the window up. I've shut the engine off and just coasting out of gear...still hear/feel it. On my way to work today, I was trying to watch the speedo; it starts around 15mph and quits around 55/60mph.

I jacked the front up and spun the tire. I don't hear any grinding. There is no play in 12/6 or 9/3 hand positions. I did notice some thing weird though on the driver's side wheel. If I *just* turn the wheel a bit, like a 1/4 - 1/2 inch, there is a "tick" noise. If I spin it slowly, I hear a rubber squealing on metal sound. I'm sure it isn't the caliper scraping on the rotor...different noise. I did record a quick sound clip of this, listen to this. First thing you hear is the tick, then the rubber squealing noise. Then you can hear me spin the tire, thumping it with my hand and you hear the rotor/brakes scratching. Finally, I move it just a bit each time to hear this tick noise.

All of this is on a '98 Ranger 4x4...so I think we have the same hubs and whatnot as is on the Explorers...

any ideas?

 

[askingxforxit]

I have the same noise at around the same speeds in my 2001 Explorer. Im thinking its the HUB bearing though I havent checked for any play on the tire yet.

 

[mysterystyle24]

I just had hub bearing fixed for the same problem

 

[ccernst]

okay, so maybe I'm just catching it before it starts to loosen up?

My passenger wheel does not tick, but I very faintly hear the rubbing noise. Truck has nearly 170k miles on it. I can't really say I'm too surprised.

 

[mysterystyle24]

My steering was tight,the wheels were tight,parts and labor cost me around 300

 

[KPSquared]

Might want to make sure you don't have a tire separating. That can make the noise as described. A tire shop can tell you.

If you put a lot of miles with the tires on the rear, they can cup as well, then really become noticeable when you move them to the front. Just had this happen in my Mazda.

 

[ccernst]

Might want to make sure you don't have a tire separating. That can make the noise as described. A tire shop can tell you.

If you put a lot of miles with the tires on the rear, they can cup as well, then really become noticeable when you move them to the front. Just had this happen in my Mazda.

I recently took it to a Firestone to get an alignment (I have the lifetime deal, and it was a while since the last one) and they said my upper ball joint was bad. After I got it jacked up at home, no movement out of that control arm. They haven't said anything about tire seperation. I imagine tires will be next year or the next.

If I get the job I'm applying for soon, I'll be replacing brake calipers, lower ball joints, the one upper, and hubs...there is a lot going on there.

 

[Fozzy]

This sounds like a bad tire... more common that people know. If everything is tight and there is still noise, time to really think about tires.. new tires are also not completely innocent.

 

[doneinne]

I had a very similar sounding problem, mine was also the wheel hub bearing.

 

[askingxforxit]

I have the same noise at around the same speeds in my 2001 Explorer. Im thinking its the HUB bearing though I havent checked for any play on the tire yet.

Got new tires today, noise and vibration gone! Still need a new hub bearing though cuz I can hear a slight squeak at slow speeds.

 

[rego]

So, your question was for real. I thought you were trying to lure someone into telling the Italian tire joke. Glad you got it taken care of.

 

[Blueraven]

Why not rotate the tires back to where they were before and see if the "wop-wop" changes or goes away? That would at least eliminate the tires.

Blueraven

 

[ccernst]

Today it finally warmed up enough and I had a few minutes to check things out. Seems as if the tick-tick noise when I just barely turn the wheel is the brake pads grabbing the rotor.

Right before I noticed all of this, I bled the brake lines with new fluid. the front driver's bleeder valve wouldn't budge we we heated it up as carefully as possible. it was very grabby after we did that. So now the plan is to replace the caliper to see if maybe my noise is brake related.

 

[Verno]

I WOULD ROTATE THE TIRES FIRST, AND SEE IF THE SOUND MOVES. If it DOES then your problem is in the tire; if it DOES NOT then it could be brake or hub related.

 

[ccernst]

well yesterday, i replaced the brake caliper. while I had the old one off and the rotor off, i spun the hub around. it still made a light ticking noise, kinda like playing cards in the spokes of a bike, but real light. I'm pretty sure that's not right. My vacuum hubs weren't engaged, so it was only the bearings inside being turned.

 

[ccernst]

had a fun time this weekend. my noise turned out to be the rotor. it was warped enough to cause a noise.

also got to take the rear drums apart. driver's side burned up and pads were cracking. The e-brake lever seized up where it pivots and just burned everything up. Each drum had a piece missing from the rim, so new drums, pads, and hardware kit. Brakes work great now.