I have a '00 4.0L, 4X4, stock everything, 30K miles. Every so often I hear a high pitched whining sound, outside the passenger window, in sync with the RPMs. So, it's pitch increases as RPMs go up, and decreses when RPMs go down. Again, I don't hear it all the time, but maybe 2 times a week. I'm wondering if it's the transmission? Has anyone else experienced this? Is it something I should have checkd out?

The truck drives very well and has normal fuel consumption and oil life. The transmission fluid looks good too.


Thanks!
Tim

 

I know you said it changed with RPM, but does it change with vehicle speed? Does it do it if you're sitting still and just revving the engine? And does it matter what gear you're in?

 

Now that I think about it, I do believe it is with vehicle speed. partly becuz I don't hear a difference in pitch when it shifts between gears, which affects the RPMs. seems to be steady with speed. I will definitely pay more attention next time I hear it.

Tim

 

I just found a TSB in the database describing a similar condition. WOuld I call a shop and have them check out the TSB? It's bulletin #01114 .

Tim

 

My Ranger has the same problem and I have yet to get it fixed. It used to do it more often, even when I didn't use my 4wd. Now, it's generally quiet most of the time. When I use 4wd, it makes the noise, and generally for atleast a mile after I shift out of 4x4.
My stepdad had this same noise in his 98 Explorer with AWD. His was taken care of under the factory bumper-to-bumber warranty. Appearantly (from what the service receipt says) it was the exclueder seals in the front end, whatever those are. I'm going to have to see if my aftermarket warranty will fix them (doubt it) or how much it will cost me (too much). Call your local dealership and see if the exclueder seals could be the cause, and what it would cost to fix. Let us know how it goes...
By the way, I couldn't find the TSB #01114 for my 98. I did, however, find it for the '00 Ranger. I thought the setup was the same from 98-00. Why would it not show the TSB for a 98?
Brian J Wilson

 

Okay, so no one's got any responses on that...
I called the Ford Dealership to make an appointment for a brake job, and asked about the squealing noise in the front. Told the guy that it's just like what my stepdad's explorer did, and usually only does it now after I've used 4wd, for a mile or more. He said that it was common in the Explorers, but never heard of it in the Ranger. So I asked, does it make sense that the hub's haven't disengaged, and they are taking a long time to, and the front end is squealing until the are disengaged? He said yes, and that they sometimes take a while to disengage (seems to me like something is wrong if they don't disengage for over a mile). Then he went on to tell me that if it goes away, I shouldn't mess with it. I asked if they could take a look at the hub seals or exclueder seals while they were doing the brakes. "I wouldn't mess with it if it goes away." As you can tell, the guy's ignorant, and I'm really irritated. I've always been frustrated with the service dept, but there's no one else better around here. Does anyone have some advice on what to do about the seals? If the hubs don't disengage, could I almost say that they've 'failed' on me, and try to get them fixed under my warranty? Probably not, I'm just fishing for ideas. Anyway, any advice is appreciated since I have to leave to the dealership in about 2 hours.
Thanks in advance,

Brian J Wilson

 

I bought my Ranger in October. The day I test drove it, I noticed the exact problem you are describing.

My front hubs take a while to disengage when I switch back to 2-wheel-drive, and I had a loud squeal coming from the front end.

The dealer told me it's just the "dust shields" in the front end. Apparantly, after a while the dust and grime builds up in the area at the end of the axel shafts, and when you lock the truck in 4-wheel-drive it starts spinning everything in there and makes that awful squealing noise.

I was about to tear my hubs apart and try to fix it myself...but my noises seem to have gone away. Either the cold weather, or more frequent use of my 4x4 system...one of the two seems to have solved my problem at least for now.

Also, on the '98 and newer Rangers, the hubs and other front end components are non-serviceable parts anyway. They have to be replaced if they are bad.

 

i know this mite not sound like the answer but check your belt at 30,000 they tend to make noise if it is dry and cracked it will make a similar noise if you want to test it usally you can spray the belt with some spray oil if it goes away change the belt

 

It wouldn't be the belt because the squealing varies directly with the vehicles speed, not the engine speed. If it _did_ vary with engine speed, then that might be true. It's also done it before and after I changed the belt, but the suggestion is appreciated

Brian J Wilson

 

I finally took my truck to the dealer. They listened to the truck and agreed it sounded like what is described in the Tech bulletin. They pulled the bulletin details up and, after reading it twice, said that it's not a mechanical problem, that it's just a sound that's made normally. They printed me a copy and sure enough it states that it's a cosmetic issue (meaning noise) and does not require any changes. You can pay $300 to have them replace the excluder seals but it's not necessary. I'm satisfied with that answer.

Tim

 

I guess I could live with that answer. (I already have to live with all kinds of other 'normal' noises anyway)
The thing that really concerned me about it, is that my truck made the noise for a few days consistently, when I hadn't even used the 4 wheel drive in a few weeks. So, for some reason, my hubs had been engaged (appearantly for a few weeks). Atleast one had to be anyway, which of course if one is and the other isn't, the differential probably wasn't really happy about it. My truck still takes a while to disengage the front hubs. Coming to a complete stop, shifting into 2wd, and revving the engine for 15-30 seconds seems to disengage the hubs almost every time. Could it be possible that they aren't normally getting enough vacuum? My hubs are also starting to make a new noise. I'll come to a stop, shift into 4x4 high and stay in place for a moment, and the second I let the truck roll (as little as an inch) the hubs make a loud CLANKing noise, like they are engaging really hard or something. Does this mean my hubs are coming closer to failure? I almost hope they do fail so I can get them fixed under warranty.

Brian J Wilson