Trouble identifying road noise

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2000 Windstar 3.8 - I noticed recently (last 2 weeks) that it is making a roar consistent with vehicle speed. When dropped into Neutral the noise continues unaffected. The noise is the same as what I would identify as being a bad wheel bearing, however, the noise does not change whatsoever when turning or swirving in various directions. This is not consistent with my past wheel bearing experiences.

I am unable to tell which wheel it's coming from. My gut tells me drivers front but maybe that's because I'm sitting in the drivers seat.

I put it in neutral, jacked up all 4 wheels seperately and wiggled them up/down left/right but wasn't able to come to any conclusion. I couldn't detect any looseness.

I also tried spinning each wheel. The front ones wouldn't spin freely because of the brakes rubbing and the rear ones did spin and made some minor rubbing noises but it sounded like the drums rubbing on the brakes shoes.

The front tires are only 3 months old and appear to be in great shape. I need to replace the rear tires, just haven't had the space cash since getting my alignment. One is has cupping and vibrates at highway speeds.

I'm thinking about pulling the front wheels and brake calipers then spinning the hubs and listening with a mechanics stethescope to the bearings.

I'm hoping someone has some input or ideas. What about using a laser thermomenter to take the bearing temperatures after a drive?

[Ed_Strong]

A tire that's wearing unevenly (cupping as you decribe it) will cause all kinds of weird noises, vibrations and sounds to be felt and mislead you to a wrong diagnose. I would get the rear tires replaced first and then proceed to identifying the problem if it doesn't get corrected by replcing the tires!

Also since you are unable to tell which wheel the noise is coming from because you sitting in the drivers seat. I would get an assistant to drive the vehicle while you seat in diferent places in the van (passenger side, back seat left or right side and so on) to try and figures were the noise is the strongest, while on diferent driving situations (highway driving at different speeds, turning, swerving, etc).

Or you could try to safely and securely lift the right front of the ground with a good strong jack -make sure you chock all other wheels and put the E-brake on and support the vehicle on jack stands and have a helper run thru the gears... Low to Hi and Reverse to see if there are changes in noise or vibration to rule out the tranny. Then try to look from a far (not in front or getting under the van) to see it the axle wobbles, oxilates or shifts violently. Also take a look at the Engine Mounts, Exaust Pipes & Shields and any loose metal to make sure they're in good shape.

Try those first and see how it turns out...

[GOT2FORDS]

My 2000 had a similar noise. I thought it was the passenger side front bearing. It was the passenger side rear bearing. The rear bearing is very easy to change. Would be a good time to do rear brakes as well. If it is a front bearing it is very difficult probably best to take it in. My rear wheel was quite loose when it was off the ground. I used a bar and pried up and you can tell right away if the bearing is bad.

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Ended up being drivers side front wheel bearing. Replaced, all is good now.