92 Explorer noise

[Dlee7204]

I own a 92 explorer sport 4x4 5-speed and I am getting a loud humming noise when I veer to the left or right while traveling on the highway. It starts around 30-35mph and it increases with speed. I also hear it when I brake. It seems to be coming from the front of the vehicle. I replaced the front wheel bearings and adjusted them several times and replaced the spindle bearings and that seems to had no effect. In the fall I put new brake rotors and pads on. I also made sure that the front drive shafts were not engaging at highway speeds by putting empty hubs on. I also replaced the clutch recently but I'm not sure if that has anything do with the noise. I'm running out of things to fix. Please Help!

[Justardnck]

Originally Posted by Dlee7204

I own a 92 explorer sport 4x4 5-speed and I am getting a loud humming noise when I veer to the left or right while traveling on the highway. It starts around 30-35mph and it increases with speed. I also hear it when I brake. It seems to be coming from the front of the vehicle. I replaced the front wheel bearings and adjusted them several times and replaced the spindle bearings and that seems to had no effect. In the fall I put new brake rotors and pads on. I also made sure that the front drive shafts were not engaging at highway speeds by putting empty hubs on. I also replaced the clutch recently but I'm not sure if that has anything do with the noise. I'm running out of things to fix. Please Help!

Rub your hand over the tread surface of the tires in the front and see if the tread catches your hand, if it does you have "cupped" tires and it is a common issue with older explorers and the only true fix is to rotate the tires on every oil change. Possibly a front end alignment may fix it but I doubt it, uneven tire wear is a Ford trait

[beanzy]

Had the same problem on a 95 Explorer and thought it was u-joint issues or something other. TIRES TIRES TIRES.

I replaced my tires and noise went away.

[Dlee7204]

I have a 94 Ranger that doesn't have this problem and so I just switched the wheels and tires on the two cars and the explorer still makes the noise and the ranger does not. So I assumed that pretty much eliminated the tire s and the tires are pretty much new anyways. I have been trying to go through a checklist of everything it could be. I eliminated the 4WD system by tying the front U-joints to the chassis with string and then the string didn't break when I drove it and also I put empty 4WD hubs on. I put different brake rotors on and that didn't make a difference so the braking system is out. And so I am forced to go back to thinking it is the wheel bearings even though i have replaced the inner and outer ones. My plan now is just take the rotors off and make sure the bearings are seated properly and play with the adjustment nut a little bit more and just go back over everything. Hopefully I will have results by this weekend.