Front End Noise

[jballen]

I'm reposting this as I haven't solved the problem yet & I wanted to post all the info right up front that has been looked at.

I have a 2007 Ranger, 3.0, auto, 2wd with 61,000 miles on it. New rotors, pads & wheel bearings at 49,000 miles.

I'm running Uniroyal Laredo all season tires all the way around, factory size, nothing more.

When I drive down the road there is a road noise. A wurring/vibration noise. When I turn to the left the noise increases, but when I turn to the right it goes away completely. It is very loud at about 45 – 50mph. The noise almost goes away at 65 – 70mph.

One thing I noticed is that when I went up over a bump in the road was that when the front end went up the noise stopped. And then it was back when the weight of the truck was back on the front end again. This was at hi-way speeds, 55mph. There is a slight vibration in the steering wheel also when it makes this noise.

Checked the lug bolts and they were tight.
Replaced the passenger side wheel bearings. It looked like new & no change could be seen in it. Looked at the driver’s side wheel bearings & they looked good.
So I had a friend ride with me & he said it didn't sound like a bearing noise, but he wasn’t sure what was making the noise.

What could this noise be???

 

[fairman86]

how burnt is your bake fluid? check the front brakes, sounds to me like one of yor calipers isnt retracting the piston, migfht be the seals in the caliper, might be air in the lines, might burnt brake fluid, or maybe a bent rotor? i would check your braking system in the front to start, if the wheelbearings have already been done. does it pull to one side when under hard braking?

 

[jballen]

The rotors, bearings & pads are all new. No pulsing of the brake pedel. It does not pull to either side at all when braking. I'll give it the hard braking test tonight & check the fluid.

 

[hondaxr650]

Sounds like a possible tire issue to me. Run your hands around the tires and check for cupping, especially on the edges. A slightly cupped tire can be really noisy.

 

[modelageek]

what Rims or skins do you have?

 

[jballen]

I'm running Uniroyal Laredo all season tires all the way around, factory rims & tire size, nothing more.

I'll check the tires for cupping tonight...

 

[jballen]

I ran my hands around the tires up front, & I didn't feel or see any cupping. I may take it to the tire guys here & see what they say.

Also I did a tested the brakes under hard baking & the truck stopped in a straight line. No pulling to the side at all.

Next thing I will try is rotating the tires front to back, as I think that is when the noise started...

 

[jkoegel]

I have been battling a similar vibration for a while now. 3 sets of bearings, rotors, calipers and pads later and its still there. This has confused 2 mechanics and the dealership already and I still don't have a good answer.
With the truck off the ground grab the front tire at 12 and six. Try to rock it back and forth and feel for any play. If there is any play at all (make sure its not your ball joints first) you may be dealing with something similar.
Look very very closely at the spindle where the inner bearing rides on it. I thought mine were good (as did 2 shops and the Dealership) but my next step is replacing both spindles. There is a tiny little ridge where the bearing has worn down the spindle.

 

[jballen]

Last night I grabbed the front tire at 12 and six. And tried to rock it back and forth and feel for any play. No play what so ever. Had a friend check it also. He came to the same conclusion.

This weekend I will pull each wheel & bearings & go over the bearing races with a magnifing glass. Thanks for responding & the information!!

Sorry about being so slow but serious family matters have taked all my time...

 

[jballen]

Last night I had a chance to look things over & found the problem.

The driver's side outer wheel bearing had gone bad. After pulling the wheel I noticed that the dust cover had been badly dented by the dealer who had replaced the bearings when I bought the truck. I'm assuming this let small amounts of water in over time & ruined the bearing. After replacing the bearing the noise went compleatly away in the test drive last night..

Thanks everyone for the help!!!