Rear End Noise on my Explorer

NYSpeed Automotive
1

Eddie Bauer Explorer V8 5.4L 4x4

I don’t know if it’s just road noise, or It’s always been there and I’ve never noticed it…but I have a humming coming from my rear end (of my truck, you pervs).

It happens anywhere from 10 mph to 75 mph. It happens when I’m accelerating, and when I’m just coasting or coming to a stop. It “seems” to change volume when turning the truck (like a typical wheel bearing) but the load won’t change enough like it would in the front to make the noise go away.

The noise seems to get louder when the truck is going slower speeds. Probably just wind noise flushing it out @ higher speeds.

I’m thinking low tire pressure (about 10 PSI low on each tire), or wheel bearing (which is a common problem). Maybe my differential is fucked? I would think that if my differential is fucked, that the noise would only happen when I’m accelerating. :gotme:

Help?

2

wheel bearing is the first thing that comes to mind, otherwise a noisy gear box, or which i highly doubt, rubbing of some sort in the wheel well

3

first things first check ur tires for abnormal tire wear or flat spots in the tires on all four of ur tires even though it does sound like the noise is coming from the rear it still might be the front. You are most likely correct about the noise being louder because of wind and the sound carrying away at high speed. If you do not have any abnormal tire wear it can still be a tire that is out of balance or even a bent rim. If all that seems normal before balancing the tires check the wheel bearings for excessive play and movement. Make sure all ur suspension components are tight.

4

I’d guess tires too. How old are they/ how much thread do they have left??

5

Could be in the rear end. I have a cherokee that does the same thing, i was told that it could be the pinion gear…

6

newer tires. about 50-60% tread life left.

7

The fact that it gets louder and quieter as you turn different directions defiantly sounds like a wheel bearing. I know in our work truck everyone thought it was coming from the rear end till I drove it and told them it was the right front wheel. Check it out.

8

without driving it and knowing Exploders i’d go with abnormal tire wear. It’s so common it’s not even funny. Rear wheel bearings not common at all/rear end even less common on them (doesn’t rule them out).

9

figure it out with a mechanics stethoscope (idk if thats what theyre called the listening tool? fuck you know what i mean!)

10

just check the wear of the tires (possible alignment issue or just out of balance) and loosness of the suspension.

11

What year explorer?

12

wheel bearings.does the noise change when you turn?

13

read my original post.

2002

14

When you do the bearings, do the diffs also man…

Fresh fluid is a good thing to have in the winter, the rear takes a heavier weight than the front, read the manual for the specs. If they are lockup diffs then you need to buy the fluid with the friction modifier mixed in.

15

if the truck has been offroad, i would suspect water mixing with the rear end fluid, either way, it should be changed if it has not been yet

16

Totally different cars, but on my WRX I had a humming noise that came from the rear and it ended up being a bushing that had gone bad on a plate that covered the rear end. Just throwing that out there.

17

make sure nothings rubbing… it could be something gay like a weatherstripping in the wheel well that came lose and is contacting the tire?

18

jacked the truck up today and checked for play in the hubs…

rear passenger wheel bearing has play. :tdown:

getting it fixed tomorrow. thanks guys :tup: