Ford Explorer: 2000 Limited AWD Funny noise ?

I have recently purchased a 2000 White Pearl Limited AWD 5.0, at 67k...I
love the looks of this vehicle.

I had the transmission fluid changed, oil change (mobile super syn.), new
plugs, new rear window wiper motor and arm, tire rotation and alignment,
along with the 60 k check up per Ford.
Well I have noticed that the front end seems to have a noise that I can't
pinpoint. It is steady and slows as the truck speed slows.
It may be the tires...General Grabber...the ford tech told me that the tires
might have a separated belt the way it was wearing...but he also said that
the noise was the way this AWD performed.

One question I have is, did this model have an issue with the transfer case
that would cause this noise?

Second question is, would this be a characteristic of the All Wheel
Drive?...making a steady whining noise?..which increases or decreases as the
speed of the truck goes.

Does this make any sense to anyone?..please give me some other suggestions
as you like!
Help me understand please.....
thanks,
Bill V.

Thanks for and to those that have commented.

I have wondered if a belt separation would make this whining kind of noise?
What would the characteristic of the tire look like if a belt separation was
going on?

It speeds up and slows down exactly with the speed of the vehicle....and
comes from the front end...I haven't been able to determine if it is more
pronounced at cruise control 75 (or other) speeds....but it is always
present.

I double checked with the Ford shop that did my work and they said if it was
the transfer case the tech. would have seen discolored or burnt smelling
transmission fluid so his guess is that it is the tires because he also said
that the AWDs don't have the whining type of noise....???

Does anyone know?

Bill V.
WV
USA



"Bill V" <com> wrote in message
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