98 Explorer vibrations

[skyward]

My 98 Explorer 4X4 has developed a vibration that seems like its coming from the left front wheel area. It started off sounding like road/tire noise almost like hitting the rumble strips on the shoulder of some highways. It's speed related only happening at higher speeds although as time goes on the speed is lower that it is happening at. It is cyclical at times depending on the speed and will vary between vibrating for a few seconds then not for a few seconds and continuing as long as the speed is maintained.

I recently had the left ball joint and broken front stabilizer link replaced as well as shocks and I just did the front brakes. I don't recall hearing it before then but I can't say it is directly related. I also just replaced the tires which I thought was the problem but it's worse now.

I'm wondering now about wheel bearings but it has a sealed hub and bearing assembly so I don't want to replace it if it isn't the problem. With the wheel jacked up I couldn't feel any play in the wheel.

Is there any reliable way to check the hub and bearing assembly? Any other suggestions?

Doug

[billyb]

I just changed my upper control arms,the left hub and both ball joints and it hummed real bad when i drove it.Once I got a front end alignment it cleared it right up.

[skyward]

Originally Posted by billyb

I just changed my upper control arms,the left hub and both ball joints and it hummed real bad when i drove it.Once I got a front end alignment it cleared it right up.

I got an alignment done after getting the front end work done.

Thanks for the idea though.

Doug

[busa_4]

jack the front end up and take a pry bar to the lower portion of the wheel and pry up. if it moves you have wheel bearing play.