Ford Explorer: 97 Explorer: Drive Train Noise

I have an unusual noise which I believe is coming somewhere from the drive
train. It is a hum (not a whine, as it isn't that high pitched) that sounds
like it is coming from the front of the vehicle. It tends to get a bit
louder from about 10 to 35 mph. At freeway speeds, it still is noticeable,
but not unusually loud. At about 30 mph, if I make a shallow turn to the
left, the noise almost goes away. If I make a shallow turn to the right, it
gets just a bit louder. I'm suspicious that it might be the left hub
assembly, as it would unload a bit during a left turn. However, I
understand that it, as well as the CV joint, would make a "clicking" sound
instead of a hum (with the CV joint becoming noisy during a turn). The
tires are will inflated, I've recently changed the fluid in both the
transmission and the transfer case (and the levels recently checked). The
differentials were changed at about 75K. The car currently has about 102K
on it.

Another think. If I put the car into neutral and coast, the maginitude of
the sound doesn't change (so it isn't related to the rpm of the engine).

Does anybody have any ideas?

Chris

I agree; this sounds most likely to be a bad wheel bearing. My '91 EB 4x4
w/200,000 miles, had very similar symptoms to those which you describe; the
problem was bad front wheel bearings. If you jack up one front tire at a
time and spin the wheel you may or may not hear any unusual noise; but if
there's "play" in the wheel when it's off the ground, then the bearings are
at least way too loose, and likely will need to be replaced. If you do
change the bearings, don't forget to replace the rear seal at the same time.

Since you mentioned CV joints, I'm assuming that your vehicle is also a 4x4.

Good luck,
Mike



"Jeff" <bye> wrote in message
news:blsrpo$a32$xmission.com... 
drive 
sounds 
noticeable, 
the 
right, it 
sound 
The 
102K 
of