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  #1  
Old 07-22-2012, 07:54 AM
Ranger NB Ranger NB is offline
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Question left front wheel grinds, switch to 4*4 and noise disappears

I have a 98 Ranger 4*4 5 speed with 110 000 miles. grinding almost bearing like noise in front left wheel, click into 4*4 noise disappears, mechanic put new vacuum module in that power the 4*4 actuator, noise still present in 2 wheel drive but disappears when switch into 4 wheel high and getting worse. Mechanic now wants to replace a component i.e. the part that slides hub in and out given he feels it is sticking. could this simply be a bearing that when the force on the wheel is applied stops making noise or is it a worn hub or hub that is not sliding in and out ?
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have a 97 Ranger 4*4 / ford ranger with 110 000 miles. grinding almost bearing like noise in front rt wheel, click into 4*4 noise disappears, mechanic put new vacuum module in that power the 4*4 actuator, noise still present in 2 wheel drive but disappears when switch into 4 wheel high. Mechanic now wants to replace a component i.e. the part that slides hub in and out given he feels it is sticking. could this simply be a bearing that then the force on the wheel is applied stops making noise ?

Last edited by Ranger NB; 07-22-2012 at 07:56 AM. Reason: spelling
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Old 07-22-2012, 08:14 AM
ob269 ob269 is offline
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My truck has had a strange 'grinding' since I bought it over a year ago.. no body could figure it out(neither two separate mechanics, myself, or my father-in-law). We replaced both of the front wheel bearings, checked to make sure there was nothing getting caught up (ie. something in the brake system) I personally decided it was one of three things, my transfer case, my tranny, or my rearend. I know that's pretty far for sound to travel but I've definitely seen stranger.. all three of them are filled with the proper amount of fluid, and the fluid was replaced in the rearend since I had to change my rear wheel bearing..


Does your grinding happen consistently or us is on and off?
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1998 Ford Ranger: 3.0 V6 -- 5-Speed -- 4x4 -- Single Cab -- XLT -- Black -- Check out the build thread for mods..

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Originally Posted by FireRanger View Post
Also, if you're driving around in 4wd "because it is winter", you're in an idiot. It should only be engaged in conditions that warrant the extra drive traction. Using 4wd on dry pavement WILL wreck your shit.
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Old 07-22-2012, 09:16 AM
Ranger NB Ranger NB is offline
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Default Re: left front wheel grinds, switch to 4*4 and noise disappears

truck works fine, It lives at my camp in Eastern Canada and use 4*4 a lot. Bought it 2 years ago and one hub was sticking given the old guy I bought it from never used it. ATF lube helped. My concern is that I am grinding away at something that might be expensive if left un attended. Noise is getting worse and is consistent when in 2 WD. Click to 4 by 4 noise goes away, click back to 2WD and noise appears after 20 seconds. I would think a bearing would continue to squeal regardless if in 4*4 or not. driving with window open I would say issue in clearly in left front wheel. mechanic wants 300 bucks to replace hub sliding mechanism, He indicated the new vacuum mod he installed made hubs move better. Possibly he is on the right track ? if he the wheel apart perhaps he should do a bearing anyway ?
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have a 97 Ranger 4*4 / ford ranger with 110 000 miles. grinding almost bearing like noise in front rt wheel, click into 4*4 noise disappears, mechanic put new vacuum module in that power the 4*4 actuator, noise still present in 2 wheel drive but disappears when switch into 4 wheel high. Mechanic now wants to replace a component i.e. the part that slides hub in and out given he feels it is sticking. could this simply be a bearing that then the force on the wheel is applied stops making noise ?

Last edited by Ranger NB; 07-22-2012 at 09:18 AM.
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Old 07-22-2012, 01:26 PM
mthomp1 mthomp1 is offline
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Default Re: left front wheel grinds, switch to 4*4 and noise disappears

It's one (or both, depending on which side the noise is coming from) of your wheel bearings. I had the exact same problem a few years back. In order to shut it up, I ran the truck in 4 wheel drive high. Wheel bearings aren't expensive. I'd go ahead and replace both of them.
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Old 07-22-2012, 01:47 PM
94mtx 94mtx is offline
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Default Re: left front wheel grinds, switch to 4*4 and noise disappears

Don't forget your axle seals as well! Good time to inspect all of your rear-end gears while you are at it! Check your rear brakes before hand too so you can get it all out of the way at the same time if need be.
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Old 07-22-2012, 04:44 PM
Ranger NB Ranger NB is offline
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Default Re: left front wheel grinds, switch to 4*4 and noise disappears

Thanks guys this is helpful, Bought the Ranger 2 years ago from a poor chap who replaced rear diff, clutch, rebuild the engine and did all the brakes then had a knee replacement and could not shift and sold it to me (with receipts close to 5 K from reputable garage who did the work). So the old girl has a few KM left in her (or miles for friends south of the border). Hate putting money in an old truck but with work done so far and the front end being the last frontier to have major work dropping a grand in it for bearing, vac unit and possibly a new hub aint so bad if I can get another 2-3 yrs. I had mechanic go over from end seals really well. Front diff is a little wet but fluid level is not going down. Am I off base or is it worth the money ? Bought it for 4K and put 1500 bucks in it so far for odds and ends. What kind of life can I expect from the 4L with 5 speed manual. Anybody getting 200 000 miles. What would be the most costly thing I might be likely to encounter ? Should I do both front wheel bearings together or can you do one at a time ?
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have a 97 Ranger 4*4 / ford ranger with 110 000 miles. grinding almost bearing like noise in front rt wheel, click into 4*4 noise disappears, mechanic put new vacuum module in that power the 4*4 actuator, noise still present in 2 wheel drive but disappears when switch into 4 wheel high. Mechanic now wants to replace a component i.e. the part that slides hub in and out given he feels it is sticking. could this simply be a bearing that then the force on the wheel is applied stops making noise ?
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  #7  
Old 07-22-2012, 05:02 PM
mthomp1 mthomp1 is offline
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Default Re: left front wheel grinds, switch to 4*4 and noise disappears

The hub and bearing are the same thing (one assembly), and it won't cost near $1,000. I replaced mine about six months back, and I paid ~$130 for both of them. You can replace them at different times, but do them together if you can. Also, replacing the bearings is a do-it-yourself job, so no need to pay a mechanic for something that you can easily do yourself with a ratchet set.
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2000 Ranger XL, 2 door extended cab, 4x4, 3.0L flex fuel V6, 5 speed standard-shift, Cragar Soft 8's, Explorer overhead console, Sony head unit,
Midland CB radio, Hella fog lights, 3.73 LS Explorer 8.8 waiting to be installed, and the "paid for" mod
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Old 07-23-2012, 05:18 AM
Ranger NB Ranger NB is offline
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Default Re: left front wheel grinds, switch to 4*4 and noise disappears

300 bucks for vac mod plus installation, 200 ish for bearings and 200 for this other component mechanic says I need plus park break is seized up on front. So will be a grand for everything if mechanic does it. Work is a little more costly up here with taxes and all. Hopefully that will be that for a couple of years.
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have a 97 Ranger 4*4 / ford ranger with 110 000 miles. grinding almost bearing like noise in front rt wheel, click into 4*4 noise disappears, mechanic put new vacuum module in that power the 4*4 actuator, noise still present in 2 wheel drive but disappears when switch into 4 wheel high. Mechanic now wants to replace a component i.e. the part that slides hub in and out given he feels it is sticking. could this simply be a bearing that then the force on the wheel is applied stops making noise ?
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