Hey guys, I got this loud roaring type noise coming from the front tire regions. Here's a run down of it and hopefully it'll tip someone off as to what's causing the noise. While on a long 12 hour trip I noticed that this noise would go away anytime I turned the wheel to the right and would return as I straightened out. Once I arrived at my destination I took off the front wheels and replaced the drivers side inner race. This was because I had changed the bearing a few weeks ago , but couldn't punch the race out. Anyway, on the way back home on the same long 12 hour trip I notived that the noise sort of rotated, with every right turn. It would go from being loud whens traight, quiet on right, to mild on both, to quiet when straight and loud on right turns and just kept cycling like that. Left turns have no effect on the noise. Does this sound like a bearing problem? rotors? I've already replaced the pads on both front wheels, not sure what else to look at.

-Aaron

 

Sounds like bearings. Pull them apart, grease them up real good and make sure they are adjusted right.

 

Are you sure you're not talking about the dirty IAC control valve problme that everyone has with there explorers.
It sounds like someone blowing over a bottle.

 

well, I was told it's "tire noise" but since it went through a totation on the way home, I figured it was something with a bearing or something. Thing is, the sound doesn't start ubntil I'm going about 40. I'll check on this dirty IAC control valve problem. i guess you could describe the sound as blowing over a bottle, but if it's this vavle, do you think it would go away on right turns?

 

If the sound fluctuates with the position of the wheels, I doubt if its the IAC. When you replaced the race, did you replace and grease the bearing as well??

 

yes obn the greese no on the replace. At least not at the same time. The bearing was replaced a few weeks ago as when we took it all out the inner race just crumbled into pieces. The outter race and bearings were said to be ok. The race felt smooth to the touch at least.

 

One more thing I forgot to mention is that the noise's pitch gets higher and lower with the speed. THe faster I go the louder and higher pitched the noise gets. Until you get over 80mph then it sorta thins out and isn't as noticable.

 

I have the same sorta problem...except my roaring noise starts at about 60...but the ford dealer thinks it's my front drive shaft...they're going to remove it and check it this thurs...I'll let you know how it turns out


I swear, it's constantly something with these explorers!

Ahhhhhh!

 

If you did not change the race at the time of the bearings and then went back and reused the bearings when you changed the race, you probably ruined the bearings.

Pull it all apart and start from scratch with new bearings, races, and quality greese. With the noise changing with shifting weight it is most likely the bearings. You certainly don't want to ruin the axle.