|
Tire problem 2001 Ford Explorer Sport making tire noise when turning right
Symptoms:
My brother’s 2001 Ford Explorer Sport is a 4X4 and he loan it to me 2 weeks ago
because my car broke down. A week later, I started hearing a tire noise every time
I make a left turn. Checking the front differential U (or CV) joints showed OK so I end
up replacing the left front hub bearing 3 days ago. For some reasons, after road
testing, I can still hear the noise whenever I make a left turn. Is it possible
that the right side bearing hub is also defective? How do I test it?
Tire Problem Advisor:
This kind of problem is a little tricky since both right and left front hub bearings
could be defective and might show the same symptoms when turning.
Here are guides you can use:
Raise both front wheels and make them sit on stands where the tires can clear 2”
from the ground. Start the engine and have somebody to engage it in gear. (Warn
him to have his foot ready and above the brake pedal in case he needs to stop the
trany right away).
Using a 2X4 wooden plank, (use about 4-5 feet long), wedge it against one tire
and the ground to force the tire to stop. You will notice the other tire will
continue spinning. Listen to the noise it makes then wedge also the other side
so you can listen to the first tire you just did. All you do is compare the noise
from both tires and the one that is louder is the faulty one.
If you think this is too dangerous for you, you can just tell your driver to put
it in gear and rev it up. Then put it in neutral and shut engine off without steeping
on the brake pedal. The tires will continue to spin and the worn side will make
more noise.
Notes:
When you are turning to the right, you are actually loading the right
side bearing and if it is making a noise on the left hub bearing, the noise
actually comes from the right hub bearing. The only way to find is to take it
apart and listen to the old bearing if it spins smoothly. You can almost tell
the difference if the bearing is worn because it will spin different or noisy.
When in doubt, bring your vehicle to authorized Ford dealer shop.
Above repair is only a recommendation and you do this at your own risk. Always
have your vehicle align after replacing the tires to prevent repetition
of the tire problem.
| 
