I have a 2003 Explorer 4.0l 4x4 auto. Yesterday day the passenger rear tire got a flat, so I put the full size spare on, and went about my business. About 2 miles up the road is a stop sign, so I start slowing down, and while slowing down I can hear a whining thumping sound from the front of the vehicle. It wasn't doing this before the flat, but right after I put the spare on it starts to do this. It only happens when slowing down, not under acceleration. Thanks for any ideas

 

Does it also make the noise when coasting to a stop, or only when applying the brakes? Is there any pulsation in the brake pedal or steering wheel when braking? Have you confirmed the lugnuts are properly torqued?

-Rod

 

Changing a REAR tire should have no affect on the front axle, unless you have ControlTrac. In which case, a tire of different circumference may activate the front axle (4x4)... Philip

 

I concur......

You would think the engineers would design for such things.

 

The whining and thumping noise only happens when I coast to a stop. Im now thinking its the difference in tire size, since the spare has new tread, while the other 3 tires have about worn out tread. The more I think about it, the spare is whats causing this issue, since it started making the noises the second I put the spare tire on.

 

Yeah, get the old tire fixed and try that and see if the noise goes away.

 

Or, better yet, replace all four tires (including the flat) since you mention the primary tires are worn out anyway. The snow's coming, be safe for yourself and others on the road!

-Rod