hello,
I have a 1999 Explorer Sport with the AWD/4x4 High/4x4 Low. Ever since I've had it , I've always heard this whoov whoov whoov noise in the front end. It only happens when you take off going about 0-30 mph and then again when you slow down about 30-0 mph I've taken it to my dealer and they said nothing seems to be wrong (wheel bearings, CV joints blah blah...) I'm puzzled....Does the AWD just make that kind of noise?

 

id say wheel bearings regardless or what shop says they make that sound when going bad and if u turn right and left slightly noise usually gets quieted. that i have experenced many times and when i changed it was gone!!!!Or now that i think of it tires will do that sound to some extent.

 

Jack front end up and start checking play in wheel bearings by lifting up on the wheel with a bar.Rotate the the wheel very small amounts and keep checking.You may find one small area that has a tiny amount of play.Brother of mine found a bad bearing this way.

 

if it only does it at 30 MPH then goes away, i might agree with the mechanic that its not a big deal. if it was a bearing it will get worse over a month or so and you will REALLY hear it as speed increases. It will not go away when you get over 30 MPH. bearings and tires are speed sensitive and as you speed up, them get louder in pitch and frequency.

 

I am having the same problem. I did notice the tires are slightly wearing on the outside edge more then the inside. I am taking it in on Monday to have in aligned. It is a 2002 Explorer with approx 65,000 miles.

Jeff