So I have what seems to a be a front wheel bearing issue and needed some help in pinpointing whether it is the left or right. It is a 2000 Ranger XLT 2WD. The following are the steps and incidents that helped me determine it is a wheel bearing issue. If it could be anything else, please let me know:
1. I bought this vehicle with a very loud road noise. Humming at speeds of 20 mph and higher. No steering vibration.
2. I assumed it was the tries. Previous owner put a set of Mastercraft Courser A/T. These looked like mud tires. Tread was excellent... less than a year old.
3. I put the back-end on jack stands and ran the vehicle.... no noise then. I was sure it was the tires on the road.
4. I bought GY Wrangler HTs all the way around and thought for sure it would solve the issue, but it's still there. Loud as ever. I know wranglers can be loud but didn't think it was this loud.
5. Steering wheel a little out of alignment... doesn't point straight when tires are straight. No vibration though.
6. We just got hit real hard in snow and when I ride on packed snow the sound is there. I don't think it's the tires anymore. Don't think loud tires would make that noise on snow.
7. Just noticed when I am on a left (30mph and above) curve the sound goes away. Straight and right curves the sound is still there. Is this a left bearing or right? I am assuming the left curve puts more weight on the right bearing.... should it make more noise or less in this situation?
So is this the left bearing or right?
Finally... since nothing was wrong with tires after all, I have 2 sets of 4 new tires. I don't plan any off road... just city driving.... which tires are the better of the two?
1. Mastercraft Courser
2. Goodyear Wrangler HT
1. I bought this vehicle with a very loud road noise. Humming at speeds of 20 mph and higher. No steering vibration.
2. I assumed it was the tries. Previous owner put a set of Mastercraft Courser A/T. These looked like mud tires. Tread was excellent... less than a year old.
3. I put the back-end on jack stands and ran the vehicle.... no noise then. I was sure it was the tires on the road.
4. I bought GY Wrangler HTs all the way around and thought for sure it would solve the issue, but it's still there. Loud as ever. I know wranglers can be loud but didn't think it was this loud.
5. Steering wheel a little out of alignment... doesn't point straight when tires are straight. No vibration though.
6. We just got hit real hard in snow and when I ride on packed snow the sound is there. I don't think it's the tires anymore. Don't think loud tires would make that noise on snow.
7. Just noticed when I am on a left (30mph and above) curve the sound goes away. Straight and right curves the sound is still there. Is this a left bearing or right? I am assuming the left curve puts more weight on the right bearing.... should it make more noise or less in this situation?
So is this the left bearing or right?
Finally... since nothing was wrong with tires after all, I have 2 sets of 4 new tires. I don't plan any off road... just city driving.... which tires are the better of the two?
1. Mastercraft Courser
2. Goodyear Wrangler HT
