Ford Ranger Forum - Forums for Ford Ranger enthusiasts!

Go Back   Ford Ranger Forum - Forums for Ford Ranger enthusiasts! > >
Forgot Password? Join Us!

Welcome to Ford Ranger Forum

Reply
 
Thread Tools Search this Thread

  #1  
Old 03-29-2017, 02:23 PM
RedAngus RedAngus is offline
Learning to use the forums
 
Join Date: Mar 2016
Posts: 12
Angry please help - LOUD rumbling/scraping noise coming from front end

There is a very loud rumbling and grinding noise coming from the front end of my ranger. It is hard to pinpoint wether its form the drivers side or passenger. I can hear it at any speed, mostly when turning, even just slightly. the best way i can explain the sound is it sounds like there is a rock grinding away inside the brakes or wheels.

I have remover the brake and caliber and there doesn't seem to be anything in the way. when i spin the wheels as the truck is jacked up there is no obvious noise. only when i drive it. If I'm going downhill in neutral the noise persists. I've heard people say that it could be a bearing but it just doesn't sound like it to me (on youtube videos)...

Any ideas? I'm stumped...

thank you in advance!

Ford ranger 4WD 1993
__________________
1993 FORD RANGER 4L 4WD
Reply With Quote
  #2  
Old 03-30-2017, 08:59 AM
barneycat11 barneycat11 is offline
2006 FX4
 
Join Date: Nov 2014
Posts: 389
Default Re: please help - LOUD rumbling/scraping noise coming from front end

Front wheel bearings hubs most likely.
__________________
barneycat11 2006 FX4
Reply With Quote
  #3  
Old 03-30-2017, 09:08 AM
DangerRanger37 DangerRanger37 is offline
Tuck it in.
 
Join Date: Aug 2013
Posts: 379
Default Re: please help - LOUD rumbling/scraping noise coming from front end

Quote:
Originally Posted by barneycat11 View Post
Front wheel bearings hubs most likely.
^+1 Also check for the rock shield rubbing the rotor. Mine did that and made a hell of a lot of noise until I took some tin snips to it. Could be something stuck between the rotor and the shield. That's happened as well.

Last thing, make sure your caliper brackets are on right. I lost a bolt on one of mine. Made insane noise until it put a hole through the rim. Look at the inside of your rim and see if somethings been leaving a wear pattern.
__________________
1997 Ranger XLT 4.0L 2wd 3.55 open
RCX leveling coils, Pro Comp AAL, 1" BL
31x10.5x15 General Grabber AT2
Reply With Quote
  #4  
Old 03-30-2017, 03:06 PM
cvar cvar is offline
Ford Ranger Driver
 
Join Date: Jun 2012
Posts: 1,319
Default Re: please help - LOUD rumbling/scraping noise coming from front end

That grinding noise while turning is most likely because the wheel bearings are worn or loose. Turning causes the short axle-shaft to bend, and the worn bearings no longer hold it in the exact center of motion. That's why the axle-shaft splines are starting to catch hold of the matching splines inside your 4x4 hubs. Also, it could also be that your axle-shaft Universal joints are worn too, which leads to the same out-of-center effect. Both are DIY repairs.
See photos http://imgur.com/a/d8skq
__________________
1997 4x4 Mazda B4000 SE, Ext.Cab
Reply With Quote
  #5  
Old 03-30-2017, 03:40 PM
DangerRanger37 DangerRanger37 is offline
Tuck it in.
 
Join Date: Aug 2013
Posts: 379
Default

Quote:
Originally Posted by cvar View Post
That grinding noise while turning is most likely because the wheel bearings are worn or loose. Turning causes the short axle-shaft to bend, and the worn bearings no longer hold it in the exact center of motion. That's why the axle-shaft splines are starting to catch hold of the matching splines inside your 4x4 hubs. Also, it could also be that your axle-shaft Universal joints are worn too, which leads to the same out-of-center effect. Both are DIY repairs.
See photos http://imgur.com/a/d8skq
If it doesnt happen when he spins the wheel with the the rim off that leads me to believe it could be related to rim contact?
__________________
1997 Ranger XLT 4.0L 2wd 3.55 open
RCX leveling coils, Pro Comp AAL, 1" BL
31x10.5x15 General Grabber AT2
Reply With Quote
  #6  
Old 03-31-2017, 07:16 AM
cvar cvar is offline
Ford Ranger Driver
 
Join Date: Jun 2012
Posts: 1,319
Default Re: please help - LOUD rumbling/scraping noise coming from front end

It could be the TELL-TALE on his brake pad itself that's grinding (by design), to tell him that his front brake pads are almost gone. Here's a photo of the little TELL-TALE on a Ranger brake pad:
https://i.imgur.com/1aZRCuO.jpg

http://www.micksgarage.com/blog/how-...akes-are-worn/

If it's bearings, then it would stop making noise when he locks or just takes off the hubs, even w/o removing the rim. That "catching" I mentioned is the actual grinding noise. Spline against spline, not quite fully meshed with each other, so they catch & let-go many times per minute, which kinda sounds like poking a stick in your bicycle spokes. It also damages your hubs. Removing the weight allows the splined shaft to re-center itself, so it stays quiet.

Yes, it could be a rock behind the rotor.
__________________
1997 4x4 Mazda B4000 SE, Ext.Cab
Reply With Quote
  #7  
Old 03-31-2017, 07:21 AM
hyghwayman hyghwayman is offline
Ford Pickup
 
Join Date: Jan 2017
Posts: 120
Default Re: please help - LOUD rumbling/scraping noise coming from front end

Wheel bearings
__________________
2001 3.0L XL 5sp 2WD
Standard Cab - Short Bed (112" WB)
7.5 w/ 3.73
Acquired Dec. 23rd, 2016
History Unknown
Reply With Quote
  #8  
Old 03-31-2017, 01:19 PM
cowboybilly9mile cowboybilly9mile is offline
Ford Ranger Driver
 
Join Date: Mar 2010
Posts: 4,897
Default Re: please help - LOUD rumbling/scraping noise coming from front end

OP in post #1 said he's had the calipers (it's not caliber) out, this naturally means he was right there looking right at the pads, etc, etc, so.....if he faithfully inspected for abnomalies and found none, then it's time to move on to the wheel bearings.
__________________
2004 Ranger FX4 Level II, 5R55E, Sonic Blue Pearl

Proudly JAP/RICE free since March 2000
Reply With Quote
  #9  
Old 03-31-2017, 04:04 PM
Toasty95 Toasty95 is offline
Buy a Ford
 
Join Date: Feb 2016
Posts: 189
Default Re: please help - LOUD rumbling/scraping noise coming from front end

Quote:
Originally Posted by cvar View Post
That grinding noise while turning is most likely because the wheel bearings are worn or loose. Turning causes the short axle-shaft to bend, and the worn bearings no longer hold it in the exact center of motion. That's why the axle-shaft splines are starting to catch hold of the matching splines inside your 4x4 hubs. Also, it could also be that your axle-shaft Universal joints are worn too, which leads to the same out-of-center effect. Both are DIY repairs.
See photos http://imgur.com/a/d8skq
When you say turning, do you mean normal turning or at full lock? When I'm turning in a parking lot or doing a K turn on the street and get to near full lock, I get a bad grinding/rubbing noise. Little bit of a shake at 70mph and over as well, not sure if that's related
__________________
2004 Edge Extended Cab Flareside; 4WD
Bone stock besides JBL Amp and Subwoofer mounted between jump seats, Truxedo roll-up tonneau, and LED fogs.
Reply With Quote
  #10  
Old 04-01-2017, 07:20 AM
cvar cvar is offline
Ford Ranger Driver
 
Join Date: Jun 2012
Posts: 1,319
Default Re: please help - LOUD rumbling/scraping noise coming from front end

Normal turning. That's enough to cause it. Depends how worn your bearings are. The splines grind against each other (ie, axle-shaft splines against hub splines) cuz the flexed axle-shaft goes slightly off center. If grinding isn't a big enough red flag for you, then Youtube can show you how to wiggle your tire to check for worn out bearings.
__________________
1997 4x4 Mazda B4000 SE, Ext.Cab
Reply With Quote
Reply

Tags
grinding, noise, rumbling, scraping, wheels

Thread Tools Search this Thread
Search this Thread:

Advanced Search


Similar Threads
Thread Thread Starter Forum Replies Last Post
Clunk Front Left Brake to scraping noise 2003SuperCab 4.0 SOHC / 4.0 OHV Tech 4 05-16-2015 12:46 PM
Loud noise in front end, driver side justindavis General Tech 4 02-12-2014 06:56 PM
Grinding noise coming from front end. Bad Pulley(s)? chrisis37 General Tech 2 11-02-2013 03:00 PM
Please Read! I need your help! Weird noise coming from front end? fishing_5 General Tech 8 09-08-2013 11:53 AM
Loud popping sound coming from my front end CLJ99ranger General Tech 5 03-25-2011 11:01 AM