Hi All,

My wifes Explorer 4x4 has a noise in the front at around 100km/h. It is not detectable below 90km/h. Its not noticeable from a standstill until around 100, then you hear it a little. I find I can make it more noticeable if I vary my speed from 110 to 105 up and down, then its easier to hear. Once you get below 90 km/h you cant hear it at all.

I have a broken leg right now, and I normally do ALL my own work so I'm a little limited mobility wise at the moment.

I'm suspecting a wheel bearing. I put the Explorer in the garage and my son helped me jack up both wheels on the drivers side. I started the engine and SLOWLY accellerated up through the gears to 100. I know the hazards with this as I've done it with other vehicles, but this was the first 4x4. Then we jacked up the passenger side (after lowering the drivers side) and did the same thing. I could slightly hear/feel the rumble when the passenger side was jacked up.

I did drive the vehicle on my outdoor ramp/pit so I could use my crutches and get underneath to have a look. I grabbed the cv axles and they feel solid. The propeller shaft was replaced last year, and the cv axles look brand new. (bought the vehicle off a friend two years ago.).

So, are my suspisions correct, is it the pass. side wheel bearing? The Explorer has 294000kms.

Never did test it on corners as I didn't want to swerve back and forth on the highway with the amount of traffic.

 

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doing that with my broken leg, but I probably should try that and see. Might see if I can get my Dad to do this for me.

 

Got my 12 year old son to help remove this bearing, he did quite a bit of it himself. Got the bearing out and there was a bunch of grease that had leaked out. When you turn the hub by hand, you can just barely feel something every once in a while so I suspect it is the bearing.

I bought a new one today and I'm going to see if my son will help me put it in tonight. I'll report my results.

 

Put the new bearing in on the passenger side and I still hear noise around 100km/h. I have another bearing on order, will probably arrive later in the week. Hopefully thats it.

Not sure what else it could be.