04 Explorer front bearing diagnosis help

[HT413]

Hey guys, my wife's daily driver is an '02 explorer 6cyl 4x4 (i guess they all are 4x4). Lol, i know it's a ford, but my dad gave it to me so I just couldnt turn it down. It has a noticeable bearing howl coming from the front end (just turned 190k miles). I can feel it in the steering wheel and it is most noticeable turning right (even slightly turning right around a curve). Also hear it going straight but it almost goes away when turning left. It gets more noticable the faster I go and is not at all noticable when stopped, whether in drive or park.

Which side does this mean it's on? Any other guidance at to which parts or areas to look would be appreciated.

Thanks,

Dan

 

[67 coronet]

jack up the front and spin the wheels by hand.you will prob be able to tell wich is bad by grinding feel or noise.they use a bolt up hub assembly,not too hard to change,but a bit pricey.

 

[Nick2317]

Jack it up and grab the top and bottom of the tire and try and wiggle it back and fourth whatever side moves is the side its bad

 

[Coronet 500]

I'll ask my mechanic son, who works at a Ford dealership, when he gets home and get back to you as soon as I can.

 

[PUNKN8R]

Why does it matter if you have to change one side I would change both sides it's called preventative maintenance, if one side goes bad might not be long til the other goes bad also. Just grin and pay once not twice. "Just sayin !!'

 

[Coronet 500]

hi my name is shawn. the bearing that will need to be replaced is probally the left front due to discription (as you turn right around a slight bend you load up the left side bearings with more weight therefor more noise). the best way to diagnose is to put on a hoist and have a helper drive it to 60 kmph while undernieth the vehicle listen to bearings and differentials with a stethescope. and bearing replacement is not preventative maitnence!! MoparShawn (Abodiesonly)

 

[PUNKN8R]

I was merely sayin that I would change both sides the 02 explorer mentioned might have a lot of miles on it and been curbed a few times in it's life so I know from my ex wifes perspective if she still owned a 02 it would have a million miles on it.

 

[HT413]

Lol, thanks a bunch fellas, soon as i get back from vaca I'll jack it up and see if i can tell which one is shot. If they feel the same to my dumbarse, i just might change em both out.

Thanks again.

 

[HT413]

Well Punkn8r, you were a prophet, bro. Both bearings were shot lol. I changed the driver side and the sound was better but still grinding. So i took it to my dad's fleet mechanic for a quick confirmation and he confirmed the passenger side was shot as well.

Truck runs and sounds great, plus while I was in there I did a quick break job so she's good to go.

Thanks again for all the help - FBBO is the best.