'96 Windstar front end noise.

Two weeks ago my '96 Windstar 3.8 l (124,000 miles) started making a slight noise in the front end. It sounds like "wop, wop, wop..." The noise is just barely noticeable. It sounds almost like a tire is square or has a large nail in it. It doesn't make the noise until about 40 mph and is louder when I step on the gas. I can feel a slight bumping in the floorboard passenger side. Nothing can be felt in the steering column until about 60 mph and even then it is very slight. It doesn't pull and making turns doesn't seem to make any difference in the noise or floorboard vibration.

The van just passed the state inspection. I rotated the tires, inspected them for uneven wear, & checked the tire pressures. It has oil & transmission fluid. I had a new transmission installed by the dealer at the 80,000 mile point. The van runs fine besides this problem. The noise seems to be getting slightly worse so I guess I need to figure it out before it does some damage. I'm going to jack it up, take the tires off of it and carefully put it in gear to see if I can isolate the promlem. Any suggestions or things I should look for? Thank you.

"wop, wop, wop" sure does make me think it's your tire. I couldn't decide if you rotated your tires before or after this sound came to light. My first thought would be to see if it's the tire by rotating it. A tire would explain all ofyour symptoms including the possibility of it just showing up. Another thought would be your hub cap, though not likely. Another would be to be absolutely sure the tire and rotor are all properly seated and fully tightened. Other stuff can become "active" at higher speeds and start to move or flop around, but they wouldn't impart the vibration into the floor and steering wheel. You didn't say it, but does the sound rate increase with vehicle speed alone or is it only influenced by engine speed ( which I don't expect here, put in nuetral down a hill,etc.)?
For now, my money's on the tire. I suspect either a wear pattern that is subtle, or a defect or cord damage that a pothole caused. Out of balance tires typically don't cause a sound problem, just a vibration.
Hope this helps.

It's the hub (bearing). I replaced the tires. brakes and rotors and it still didn't go away. Dealer knew over the phone what it was. Replace it(easy DIY fix)and noise was gone. good luck

I don't know what all is in your state vehicle inspection, but from your post, I am guessing that they check a lot of the suspension items, like I was familiar with when I lived in Pennsylvania.
What a shock, when I moved to Ohio.
Personally, I think that it would be best if all states had a required "safety check".
It costs me about $100 to have it done at a dealership, here in Wisconsin, if there is nothing wrong.
It is just a good idea to have the vehicle checked out once in a while by a qualified mechanic.
For front end noises........after you poke around on your own......there is just no substitute for a qualified mechanic.
I, like most people, could not determine a slightly worn ball joint, tie rod end, cv joint, wheel bearing, etc on my own vehicle in my driveway......so I take it in for a checking over.
A good alignment should include a good shakedown of the front end.....and if you tell them they symptoms that you have, it should help.
For that reason, I would recommend that you have a good mechanic check it out.

Genegr, my DIY repair manual says to leave front wheel bearing work to the professional mechanic due to tool and expertice required. They only recommend removing the assembly with the steering knuckle and have a shop do the hub and bearing work. So, how can you say this is an easy DIY fix? Could you explain how to do this repair in detail, since I would like to do it possibly very soon on mine.
Thanks

Success!! I jacked up the front end, removed the front tires, and put the van in drive. The right drive shaft (half shaft) has wobbling terribly. I removed the hub and took it and a new bearing to the local machine shop to have them press in the bearing. They noticed immediately that the bearing was turning on the hub, which it is not supposed to do. He guessed that the bearing froze up and that made it start turning on the hub. So, I had to go to Ford (since none of the three local auto parts stores carry it) and spend $103 for a new hub. Thank you all for your help! I do appreciate it! :smile:

Genegr, my DIY repair manual says to leave front wheel bearing work to the professional mechanic due to tool and expertice required. They only recommend removing the assembly with the steering knuckle and have a shop do the hub and bearing work. So, how can you say this is an easy DIY fix? Could you explain how to do this repair in detail, since I would like to do it possibly very soon on mine.
Thanks

Tripletdaddy, I agree with you. I would not recommend trying to replace the bearing yourself unless you have a press and experience doing it. It cost me $45 and a couple of hours waiting at the machine shop. It was well worth it for me. I wrote out the steps that I took and sent them to Tripletdaddy. If anyone else is interested in the procedure, email me at [email protected] Basically they are the same steps that the Chilton's manual goes through.