Loud tire rubbing sound in cold - how bad is it?

[Bolt snapper]

'11 XLT 4WD. Today may have been the first day for this to happen to this vehicle: When driving at slow speeds, a very prominent rubbing sound (and feel) exists that would remind you of driving with snow packed in your wheel wells and rubbing on the tire. Does it while driving straight, might go away when turning left, might come back a little when turning right. I put it in 4A ever so briefly to see if it was the IWEs but it was still there (admittedly, I didn't leave it in 4A for more than 1/4 block, so I don't know if that was a good experiment). The sound *seems* to go away at higher speeds, but I guess it could be that it's still doing it and just not as noticeable at speed. I don't really feel a vibration - just a rub.

I had a second gen Expedition that had the same "wah wah" sound/feel when taking off from a stop sometimes. Drove it forever and it never got worse and didn't do any damage that I was aware of.

I checked both rotor center temps with an infrared thermometer when I got home, and they were cold, so I think I can maybe rule out collapsed brake hoses, etc., (and maybe hubs?).

If I've managed to describe it well enough, does it sound like some IWE-related issue? Or could it be transfer case, front differential, etc.? (Again, it came on all of a sudden and it was in the single digits part of the day today).

Then the bigger question: If that is what it is and I ignore it, how much damage can I expect?

 

[JamaicaJoe]

I had new tires installed along with brake work and had a sound at low speed that I was sure was a wheel bearing. Took it right back to the shop, they drove it, said it was a tire noise "wearing in". I drove it some more, it changed with steering angle. Took it back and said it is the wheel bearing. We went back and forth a bit. I asked did you put your hand on the coil spring while rotating the tire (on the lift)? Nope. they took it back and sure enough a wheel bearing.

 

[Bolt snapper]

Today’s a little warmer. My garage stays at around 50 overnight, too. I put it in 4A before I started it. Drove around 2 miles - not the slightest sound. At a stoplight I switched back to 2WD and drove another mile or so. No noise then, either. Whatever’s going on may be somewhat temperature dependent. It was 1 when I left yesterday and hit a high of 28 (but parked in the sun). It did it consistently in each of 8 short (<5 miles) trips

 

[chuck s]

You can drive in 4A (Subaru Mode) all the time if you want. I recall my Explorer only had 4A, 4H, and 4L, no 2H and it ran fine for years before I upgraded to the Expedition(s). In rain and snow and when towing I run 4A even here in Virginia where we had -- OMG!!! -- 3" of snow last week!

-- Chuck