2002 front end grinding, does not correlate to speed or revolution

[Pete99]

I have a 2002 Ranger Edge, 4 liter 4 x 4, 172,000 miles.

Recently began to have a loud isolating grinding sound from the front end. Oscillates much slower than tire revolution, but only happens while the truck is moving. Can’t isolate the sound as one side or the other listening while driving.

It doesn’t correlate to speed, meaning while it does pick up as I accelerate, it kind of tops out and doesn’t go any faster as the truck does. Also doesn’t correlate to revolutions of the engine.

Sounds like the truck is chewing rocks.

This truck is admittedly on its last legs for a number of reasons including so much rust but I’m still wondering what’s happening here.

Any ideas? TIA.

 

[Pete99]

I have a 2002 Ranger Edge, 4 liter 4 x 4, 172,000 miles.

Recently began to have a loud isolating grinding sound from the front end. Oscillates much slower than tire revolution, but only happens while the truck is moving. Can’t isolate the sound as one side or the other listening while driving.

It doesn’t correlate to speed, meaning while it does pick up as I accelerate, it kind of tops out and doesn’t go any faster as the truck does. Also doesn’t correlate to revolutions of the engine.

Sounds like the truck is chewing rocks.

This truck is admittedly on its last legs for a number of reasons including so much rust but I’m still wondering what’s happening here.

Any ideas? TIA.

OK, the problem has evolved. Now there is what I would describe as a tightness and an extraordinarily loud whining sound. I’ve had Rangers for 10 years and never encountered something like this. If I had to isolate it to somewhere, it sounds like the driver side of the front end, but it’s hard to tell.

It is at its worst when I first start driving when parked. It kind of fades away as I get going.