Left Front "Whirring" noise

[gporta77]

I have a 2020 Expedition XLT with 4WD. In 2WD there is a loud whirring noise towards the left front. Thinking it was a bad wheel bearing I replaced the wheel bearing hub assembly. While at it replaced the CV axle as well. Thinking it was a IWE problem I replaced it as well. I also replaced all the 4WD vacuum hoses and solonoid and it is still making that "whirring" noise. It's not necessarily a grinding noise but close. Any help would be greatly appreciated.

 

[S20Workstation4]

Might be a chance that the wheel is rubbing against something?.....possibly the inner fender liner has dropped?

Is it all the time? Only when turning, certain speed, etc?

 

[gporta77]

It’s not rubbing on anything, I checked for that too. It’s louder and lower pitched at slow speeds and whines up and gets higher pitched as the car speeds up. It’s related to the speed of the wheel and not whether the engine is revving(meaning I know it’s not engine related)

 

[AWAR]

Is it quiet in all wheel drive, if you have that option?

 

[gporta77]

I can’t tell any difference in 2H or 4H

 

[AWAR]

I chased a wheel bearing noise on an 06 Navigator and it sure sounded like a front but it turned out to be the right rear.

 

[gporta77]

AWAR-you know that very thought occurred to me: that it’s not the left front but one of the other corners that’s actually causing the noise but it sure sounds like the left front! Lol

 

[Fastcar]

Has it been put up on jack stands and run up a bit?

 

[gporta77]

No, I haven’t done that

 

[Fastcar]

No, I haven’t done that

You should be able to grab a sort of stethoscope and move it around to help you find out where it is.

 

[zac843]

Im having the same issue i can only hear it inside the cab can't hear it outside. My expy is currently in the shop having the lsd and transmission looked at. Hopefully they can find that noise. I only hear it between 1 and 15mph. Glad I'm not the only one is having this issue I thought I was going crazy

 

[gporta77]

You’re not going crazy brother it’s a real issue.

 

[BMW2FORD]

Best way to check a wheel bearing is to have the truck off the ground, shut the traction, put it in 4h and have someone drive it at the speed you hear it and then hold each coil spring one at a time. The wheel with the bad bearing will be felt in the spring.

Have you tried upping or lowering the tire pressure 10-15 psi and see if it changes tone? I have Pirelli Verde tires and since they’ve worn low they all have a slight wiring noise to them.

 

[bshowalter]

I had the front diff carrier bearing fail in mine. Thought it was a wheel bearing, similar sound. Luckily repaired under warranty.

 

[AAOO]

I have a 2020 Expedition XLT with 4WD. In 2WD there is a loud whirring noise towards the left front. Thinking it was a bad wheel bearing I replaced the wheel bearing hub assembly. While at it replaced the CV axle as well. Thinking it was a IWE problem I replaced it as well. I also replaced all the 4WD vacuum hoses and solonoid and it is still making that "whirring" noise. It's not necessarily a grinding noise but close. Any help would be greatly appreciated.

Possibly your IWE. Look up "Ford IWE noise" with AI. There is a TSB on it and I had mine done at 100k miles.

To test, when it's making the noise switch to 4WD. If it goes away that's the issue.

 

[bobward757]

What everyone else said. Bearing noise travels unbelievably in these vehicles.

 

[gporta77]

I changed the iWE and the vacuum lines. Just got new tires and it’s still making the noise. My fear is it’s a diff bearing. No telling how much the dealer wants to fix that.

 

[gporta77]

Finally took it to the dealer. Front differential failure. Yikes.

 

[AWAR]

Ouch!

 

[gporta77]

Ouch!

I know right..