2012 Expedition EL noise passenger side

[Bob Sheets]

Noise stops when the vehicle does. Never does it idling/parked.

Doesn't do it all the time. Replaced vacuum solenoid and that wasn't it.

Drives us crazy. Any thoughts on what this might be?

 

[bobmbx]

Does the sound change with road speed? This a critical question because it can limit your search to items that spin only while moving.

 

[Bob Sheets]

Don't notice it as much at Interstate speed as we do driving locally.

That video was recorded at about 45-50 mph.

It's not climate fan related because it does it whether the fan is on or off.

Also: recently replaced condenser due to power steering leak but it did this before that and it's still there afterwards.

 

[gixer2000]

Could be a grinding IWE. Jack the car up, start the car, set the 4wd selector in 2 high and spin the front wheels. If the car makes the noise you need a 4wd vacuum hub

 

[Bob Sheets]

I had someone tell me to try putting it in neutral and engage the 4wd when it does it and it doesn't effect the noise whatsoever. I'll give your suggestion a try.

Thank you!

EDIT:

It doesn't do it all the time. There are days I can get in it,ride around town and it never does it.

Other days, it does it the whole time we're on the road.

 

[gixer2000]

I had someone tell me to try putting it in neutral and engage the 4wd when it does it and it doesn't effect the noise whatsoever. I'll give your suggestion a try.

Thank you!

EDIT:

It doesn't do it all the time. There are days I can get in it,ride around town and it never does it.

Other days, it does it the whole time we're on the road.

No need to put it into neutral unless you are switching to 4low.

If the sound doesn't change either it's not the IWE or the splines are stripped and still not fully engaging when 4wd is engaged.

With the truck running in 4wd the front axle shaft should spin when you rotate the tire.

In 2wd, truck running the axle shaft should sit still when you rotate the tire.

 

[Bob Sheets]

Second video of noise ,going down the road. intermittent.

 

[bobmbx]

Second video of noise ,going down the road. intermittent.

Take a look inside your birdcage for a foreign object or something else interfering with your blower.

 

[2010ELExpy4x4]

Maybe check for loose shield or something, almost sounds like something in the wind

 

[Adieu]

Wheel/brake/bearing/suspension joint related stuff?

Maybe something rubbing on something loose down there?

 

[Flexpedition]

Turn off HVAC completely next time you hear this - I noticed it was on during the videos. I'm also thinking its fan/squirrel cage related.

The only other thing that makes a similar noise that I've experienced is the rear air suspension compressor. Its on the passenger side of the firewall, but mine has never been audible from inside the truck. Does have the air compressor sound though. If you do have rear air suspension, turn it off. Process of elimination, you'll find it.

Good luck no less.

 

[Swede252]

Do you have rear air suspension, sounds like the air pump rattle to me. The system checks ride height then adds or removes air to level out the rear. One to four people plus stuff weighs all different, it’s automatically corrected. It’s on the passenger front frame behind the bumper. It’s what my truck has and it seldom pumps. Check for a leak, that would make is run more often, or if your truck looks lower in the rear. But it WOULD do it while idle too...
Turn it off with the dash control, drive it....see if it stops. Turn it back on, drive again, if it makes the noise, that’s it.... check the mounting bushings on that pump, it shouldn’t be that harsh.
Hope you find it.

The only other thing I can think of is a AC line with a contaminant in it slightly blocking the pressure, it would make a vibration at the spot of the blockage. I had a VW that we found making that noise and you can hold the line and feel the noise, we drained and cleaned a chunk of a o-ring out of the filter, it must have been bouncing all around in front of the filter screen....

 

[Bob Sheets]

Turn off HVAC completely next time you hear this - I noticed it was on during the videos. I'm also thinking its fan/squirrel cage related.

The only other thing that makes a similar noise that I've experienced is the rear air suspension compressor. Its on the passenger side of the firewall, but mine has never been audible from inside the truck. Does have the air compressor sound though. If you do have rear air suspension, turn it off. Process of elimination, you'll find it.

Good luck no less.

It was the rear suspension compressor,located behind the passenger headlight.

About a year ago, had the air suspension fail and had it converted to shock and springs. Upon your suggestion, looked up the location of the compressor and it was still plugged in.
Unplugged it this morning and the problem is solved and the wife is happy! lol

Thanks to everyone who replied with your suggestions. Been chasing this problem for awhile and it feels good to get it resolved!

 

[gixer2000]

It was the rear suspension compressor,located behind the passenger headlight.

About a year ago, had the air suspension fail and had it converted to shock and springs. Upon your suggestion, looked up the location of the compressor and it was still plugged in.
Unplugged it this morning and the problem is solved and the wife is happy! lol

Thanks to everyone who replied with your suggestions. Been chasing this problem for awhile and it feels good to get it resolved!

Doesn't Make sense that it didn't happen at idle or park. Glad to see you found it though

 

[bobmbx]

Doesn't Make sense that it didn't happen at idle or park. Glad to see you found it though

When the car isn't moving the sensors don't detect any motion, so no adjustment is necessary...the pump doesn't start up.

 

[gixer2000]

When the car isn't moving the sensors don't detect any motion, so no adjustment is necessary...the pump doesn't start up.

Wrong!

I have rear air in mine, and if all the doors are closed the pump will run if needed. I have a sequence of operation I can upload later.

 

[bobmbx]

Wrong!

" the pump will run if needed"

What does that mean? Does it mean "no adjustment is necessary...the pump doesn't start up"?

My ignored list grows again.

 

[gixer2000]

What does that mean? Does it mean "no adjustment is necessary...the pump doesn't start up"?

My ignored list grows again.

I wasn't trying to be rude..

it's in writing from Ford that it is normal for the ride height to move a little while parked and more over extended periods of sitting. If the ride height has dropped at all, once all the doors are closed and vehicle is running the pump will start inflating the bags whether the vehicle is moving or not.