2001 Expedition front end hum - steering? - Ford Forums

finback670 · 01-26-2007, 13:16

My 2001 AWD Expedition with 165K miles developed a loud hum in the front. There is also a vibration that feels like a foot massager through the pedal and seat. I had a lot of front end parts replaced, an alignment, and four new OEM Wrangler tires installed but to no avail. Our mechanic doesn't know what's wrong. The biggest clue I have is that the hum gets much louder as speed increases and gets especially loud at 54 mph and above AND only when driving straight or turning the wheel to the left. Turn the wheel to the right like when taking an off ramp and the sound disappears only to come back immediately upon straightening the wheel. Any ideas?

00gtr1 · 01-28-2007, 15:24

What parts have you replaced? By the way you are explaing the noise I'd say your right front wheel bearing is bad. when you turn the wheel to left while driving you're putting some of the vehicles wieght on the right front wheel bearing and making it louder, when turn to the right the load is moved to the left wheel bearing and that's why it gets quite. The wheel bearing is only replaced as a hub and bearing assembly. hope this helps.

finback670 · 01-29-2007, 05:59

The standard steering stuff...uppers and lowers, idler arm, shocks, brakes, tires, etc. No drive train parts have been changed. I do get some metallic clunking when driving over bumps sometimes. Our shop mechanic says everything is tight. Does the hub/bearing assembly need to be removed to inspectit? Thanks for your help. I appreciate it.

00gtr1 · 01-29-2007, 10:26

What I do is put the truck on a two post lift raise truck up, put in 4 wheel drive and listen the whel bearing with a stethoscope and you'll here one growlin. Or you could take the front rotors and calipers of an spin the hub and listen. If yuo here any noise or feel ant play they are junk. as far as the noise you are hearing check the front sway bar links they can break and make alot of noise over bumps hope this helps.

finback670 · 01-30-2007, 06:53

We are replacing both front hub/wheel bearing assemblies today. I'll keep you posted...

finback670 · 01-30-2007, 14:58

We replaced the right front hub today. The truck sounds better at low speed but the awful hum is still there above 55 mph. The gut who replaced the hub and drove the truck said it sounds like the hum is on the left side. I have a new left side hub in the box in our shop, but I wanted to see if a bad left front wheel bearing makes sense with the symptoms I described (loud straight and left turn, quiet when turning right all above 55 mph). What do you think? Given the right side replacement, do the symptoms point to something else like the transfer case, differential, etc. Still frustrated

finback670 · 01-31-2007, 09:06

Well, it's done. I think both front wheel bearings were bad. It got quieter at low speed after replacing the right side hub, but the high speed hum was still there. Replaced the left side today. Old one made a scraping sound when spun. Test drive...no more hum!!!

I saw from another post that a shudder when starting and turning from a stop is a rear differential problem and a TSB is out for it. Coincidentally, the Ford dealership just replaced my rear differential seals just before I noticed the shudder. When I looked at the repair bill, I saw that they replaced the fluid but there's no indication that they added any "friction modifier." I will pick up a tube this afternoon and add it myself.

This forum is a great tool and your knowledgable responses are much appreciated. I never would have known about the shudder if not for your forum!!!