Front Wheel Tapping/Clapping/Clicking
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Freshman User
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 32
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From: Baltimore, MD
Front Wheel Tapping/Clapping/Clicking
Its one of those in-between sounds. It sounds like its coming from my front left tire. The sounds get faster (more often) as I increase speed, so I believe its the tire or wheel.
Its sort of a tapping or clicking sound. I checked the tire and do not see any obstructions. I just have no idea where to look next. I am driving a 97 Explorer XLT 4.0 SOHC with 109k miles. She runs great. I do get a little bit of wobble/shake at highway speeds. Could it be ball joins or control arms? Where should I start?
Thanks, as always!
Its sort of a tapping or clicking sound. I checked the tire and do not see any obstructions. I just have no idea where to look next. I am driving a 97 Explorer XLT 4.0 SOHC with 109k miles. She runs great. I do get a little bit of wobble/shake at highway speeds. Could it be ball joins or control arms? Where should I start?
Thanks, as always!
Elder User
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 540
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From: Northern MD
My wife has a 98, and I replaced her lower ball joints at about 118K. I don't know why, but I was surprised at the amount of wear when I checked them. You'll need a ball joint press to replace those lower ball joints. The uppers checked out OK, and I think that's due to them not really having that much stress on them. They may go twice what the lowers did. We'll see. Fortunately, the front end is simple on these trucks.
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Freshman User
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 32
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From: Baltimore, MD
Ok -
I checked the tire completely for rocks, etc.
I did a check on the lower ball joints and the CV joints - both looked and felt right (according to the info I have on what to look for).
Then I took it to my local mechanic and they took a look at the same things, as well as the upper ball joints, wheel balancing, alignment, tire pressure, brake pads, rotors, calipers -- everything looked fine apparently (and of course, during their test drive they can't have the truck make the sound).
Well, the sound is still there. My guess is that its got to be wheel bearings. (Maybe hubs???) I am very much a novice when it comes to these types of things. Would changing the wheel bearings be a tough job w/ the assistance of a Haynes manual? Any paticular tools i'll need?
I checked the tire completely for rocks, etc.
I did a check on the lower ball joints and the CV joints - both looked and felt right (according to the info I have on what to look for).
Then I took it to my local mechanic and they took a look at the same things, as well as the upper ball joints, wheel balancing, alignment, tire pressure, brake pads, rotors, calipers -- everything looked fine apparently (and of course, during their test drive they can't have the truck make the sound).
Well, the sound is still there. My guess is that its got to be wheel bearings. (Maybe hubs???) I am very much a novice when it comes to these types of things. Would changing the wheel bearings be a tough job w/ the assistance of a Haynes manual? Any paticular tools i'll need?
New User
Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 7
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From: long island
I did my 99 Explorer passenger front wheel bearing/hub assembly. Its one big part costing about $200 bucks. Get a Big socket 1 1/4 to take the hub nut off and something to keep the hub from spinning while you're tuning the nut. It took me about an hour and a half. Good luck
Freshman User
Joined: May 2004
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I have the same issue with my 1996 explorer xlt 4.0. I also have not been able to find the problem. I've had a few mechanics drive it....can't figure it out either. I am leaning towards a castor/camber problem. Almost has a squeaky sound in the tapping....i also have some odd inside tire wear on the side that the noise is coming from. Hope you find a fix...maybe it will work for me too.
