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Aug 3, 2003 | 09:01 PM

fixitjay

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odd noise

I hear a rubber rubbing noise comming from the drivers side of my 99 expy 4x4 with 58K. I am guessing a tire, because as speed increases, so does the noise. when you go over 40, it dissapers. I know it is not the brakes. I have tried turning off the engine, but still hear it. I am just wondering if there is anything internal to worry about like the diffs or bearings?

thanks for any insight.

jason

Aug 4, 2003 | 12:37 AM

BigMattXXL

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Joined: May 2002

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From: Annapolis, Maryland

odd noise

Jason - welcome to FTE!

Since there could be any number of problems going on, I would first jack up the front end and remove the driver side tire. If the tire is indeed rubbing, it should leave rub marks on whatever it's rubbing against (i.e. fender well shroud, etc.)

Try that and let us know what you find.

I wouldn't worry about the differential or wheel bearings quite yet - the differential tends to make either a moaning or scraping sound (when engaged). The bearings could make any number of sounds, but they tend to be metallic sounding.

Keep us posted!

XXL

Aug 4, 2003 | 01:37 PM

fixitjay

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odd noise

Thanks for the quick reply. After posting I did pull the front tire off and spin. I didn't hear anything unusuall. Just the rotor turing. Now that noise is more like a rubber squick, like a wet boot on a floor. I need to put new tires on anyway. I hope it fixes it.

Out of curiosity, if it is a bearing, is it hard to do buy yourself? How much at a dealer?

thanks,
jason

Aug 5, 2003 | 08:26 PM

Kicksforfree

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odd noise

As a first time user, I'm here to learn more about the same noise I believe you are hearing. I have a 1997 4X4 Exped with 98,000 miles, recently installed front brake pads and driveaxle hubs, runs like a top, smooth as silk, straight as an arrow, and this rubber-like sound eminates from the left front wheel whenever it wants, but not always, just driving me nuts.

Sounds much like a squeaky fan belt, but definitely is a rolling wheel noise changing with vehicle speed, usually over 25 or 30 miles an hour. Sometimes it's very pronounced and constant, sometimes weak and intermittent, sometimes completely gone. We've received a lot of rain here in July and August, so I checked all the driveaxle CV boots looking for a potential wet joint, but all looks okay.

The sound does seem to come under certain weather conditions, but I just don't have it nailed down yet. Engaging the 4WD at any setting brings no change to the situation.

Any further information would be very welcomed. I'm not quite ready to drive my dealer insane chasing my noise.

Aug 5, 2003 | 09:29 PM

fixitjay

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odd noise

Thanks, Kicksforfree.

That is the exact symptoms that my truck has exhibited. Let me know if you find anything. I also noticed it after my 1st brake change (just did my second with 58K on the clock). If I find the culprit, I will post.

thanks,
jason