Rubbing noise and a loud clunk

[_BEYONDER_]

HEy got some problems with my explorer and I'm a little confused so hopefully someone has an idea...

92 Explorer, 4x4...

When driving if i turn the wheel slightly there is a rubbing noise ( simular to oversized tires rubbing ),and I mean slightly, not even enough to change lanes. If I turn it further to change lanes there is a loud clunk, it shakes the front end and then its quiet for a few minutes until it does this again. When driving straight there is absolutely no noise's, vibrations, rubbing, clunks or anything. Oh, this is when in 2wd...

I've checked the ball joints, tie rods, changed the calipers, jacked it up on axle stands and turned the wheels full in both directions, I've done this both with the tires on and off and there is no noise. I've spun the tires by hand and they make no noise ( with the hubs on and the hubs off the vehicle ). Brakes are new and there is absolutely no sign of rubbing anywhere....

Any idea's?

 

[martin]

It sounds like an issue with one or more of the u/j's on the front end but I don't know why it would do it in 2wd unless the shafts are being turned somehow. Needle bearings on the stub shaft would be another guess.

 

[_BEYONDER_]

That was my thaught to, someone over on explorerforum suggested wheel bearings...

 

[Dusty_Ranger]

i can say with about 90% certainty that its the radius arm bushing at the cross member, our 94 dose it too

 

[_BEYONDER_]

ok, I'll look at that to thanks

 

[_BEYONDER_]

so i didt pull anything apart yet, it was still raining out until lunch time or so. But i did attempt to record the noise well driving Now that its warmed up the noise is gone....there's a slight rattle down there but i cant tell exactly where its coming from. Also i forgot to mention that yesterday when i put it in 4wd the noise dissapeared.

 

[_BEYONDER_]

I rechecked the bearings, there was some play in the rotor, so i put new bearings in. I did both sides inner and outter..... Good news, no more clunking ( i only drove it around the block ), BUT....bad news is the grinding type noise is now like something dragging. Predominantly when i turn the wheel to the left, I rechecked everything its all tight,etc. BUT, the axle on the drivers side can be pushed in and out about 1/2 - 3/4 of an inch??? Is this normal?

 

[_BEYONDER_]

Ok, so now I'm about ready to beat my head against thewall...lol.

I test drove it tonight, it made the noise within 1 block, so i put it in 4hi and drove about 2 blocks, bad for it i know, but....I was thinking about it ( plz correct me here if I'm wrong ), but the spindle bearings should only spin when in 4x4 right? The wheel bearings spin always except when engaged in 4wd. So therefor if it is a bad spindle bearing or ujoint it would make excessive racket when in 4wd. So when in 4wd, there was nothing...it drove normal with no noises abnormal vibrations,etc. So I pulled over and went back to 2wd and drove the rest of the way with nothing abnormal happening, drove about 6KM, stopped went got groceries and came out. I drove over to an empty parking lot, figuring I'd take the hubs off there ( probably better than doing it around the block i live on..lol, you need a 4x4 in the winter to get down the street here ). I stopped, drove 30 ft, it made the noise but a little quieter this time, so i stopped had my g/f get out and listen.....I drove in circles, straight, hard and slight turns for about 45 minutes....I couldn't get the damn thing to make the noise again, so i drove home,....still no noise at all....so now I'm like wtf? Any ideas? ( Oh, when i heard the noise it was definatly coming from the drivers side now )