front end noise, louder in 4x4

[appleman]

Hello!

I have had a new noise pop up in the ranger recently(2000 4x4 3.0). It sounded to me like a wheel bearing has been going bad. I replaced both. The noise still exists.
This noise is twice as loud in 4 wheel drive, so I pulled the front driveshaft. Which would eliminate the tranfercase as a possibility. Noise is Still there. Any ideas?

 

[Schnot]

Probably in the front diff or axles I'd say.

What kind of noise? All the time or just during accel decel?


Sent from my iPhone.

 

[BlackBII]

Does it get worse when turning? It could be a bad CV joint on one of the front axle shafts.

 

[appleman]

Thanks for the replies. It happens all the time at speeds of 30 and up. It comes on gradually as I approach 30mph then stays on. It does not change when turning. I really feel like it's something in the front diff due to the fact that it gets louder in 4 wheel drive.

 

[wildbill23c]

Ring/pinion gears, or bearings, low on fluid?

 

[kunar]

did they still use PVH hubs in 2000?

 

[PanamaExpat]

If your hubs are releasing your axles and diff shouldn't be turning when not in 4 wheel.