The past few times I have drove my 2002 ranger(4x2) I notice a noise coming from the driver's side wheel area. I'll be going around 30-40mph and it almost sounds like how loud mud tires are. No metal grinding. Tire pressure is okay. Still makes noise while braking. Don't really notice it on highway. what I am wonder is could it be a wheel bearing. I put new rotors on in fall of 2010 and I have only put about 10,000 miles on it since. I am thinking about going to the dealer and getting The Works done and hopefully they will be able to tell me whats wrong and 101 other things. What do you think?

sounds like a wheel bearing. jack up the truck and grab the wheel at the 12 and 6 position and shake back and forth. if the wheel moves and the baljoints arnt, then its a wheel bearing

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2017 Ford Fiesta ST
2014 Ford Escape Titanium Ecoboost AWD

did u take it apart & take a look at the bearings? is this the front-driver's side hub?

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1999 xlt 2.5l 5-speed Supercab 159k
83 diesel 2.2l na
06 F250 6.0l psd
{click for lol}

Sounds like a wheel bearing to me.

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2001 Ranger Edge 4.0 Extra cab, no mods as of yet. clean slate looking for ideas.

I hate to say this, but this guy is wrong--the way to do it is to have someone aid you doing this.

What actually needs to happen is to lift up the driver's side on a jack. Once you've got about 8" or so off the ground, get the longest pipe or prybar you can find, put it underneath the wheel; then the assistant needs to lift up on the prybar--putting load on the suspension. As your assistant does this, watch for ball joint movement--it'll be real obvious if a ball joint is bad. If there is no movement of the ball joint, it is, ten to one, your wheel bearings.

However, I am inclined to say that your wheel bearings are probably already shot--the howling noise is from them being dry for so long that they are slowly coming apart. As such, I would not drive the vehicle any more than what you need to, as if your bearings blow while you drive it, you'll be paying for more than a wheel bearing.

I'm not trying to sound like a dick, but dude, I'd hate to see your wheel bearing job--which, if you do the work yourself, costs less than $60--turn into a job which could cost thousands.

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Billie, my "sparkly" blue 1992 Ranger
SPECS: 2.3 I4; Rebuilt motor at 194,263 miles; straightened driveshaft when engine was rebuilt

FIRST MODS: 2" suspension lift and rear disc brake conversion

Your right, it does sound like a howling noise . I commute 20 minutes to school every day and this is the last thing I would need. I seen people on the interstate wheel come completely off. Thanks for your input!