Severe Humming Noise
 

Severe humming noise coming from drivetrain/wheels seems to be from the front to center area- noise increase as speed increases worst at 40mph (IS NOT TIRE NOISE-new tires same noise)it will cease temporarily when turning sharply to the right at speed(15mph+)

[PROBLEM NUMBER ONE]okay we jacked the truck up all the way around(all four wheels off the ground) and engaged the 4 wheel drive hi took the truck up to 40 mph- rear wheels spin -left front wheel spins(drivers side wheel does not spin but tries to) engaged truck into 4 wheel low took truck up to 25 mph and same effect-only three wheels spin-drivers side tries to but does not---i figure the vacuum hub is not engaging on the driver side
[PROBLEM NUMBER TWO] when the three wheels were spinning there was no growling/vibration/hum only sound of wheels freely spinning slightly out of balance.
when trying to determine if there was play in front wheel bearings after grabbing at 12 and 6 o'clock i cannot detect any play at all plus the wheels do not spin freely,feels if brakes are ever so slightly engaged(ABS symptoms ?)

[Question 1 ]so is the severe humming/vibration noise a symptom of a wheel bearing ready to fail yet has not failed?
[2] found receipt for Right Front(passenger side) hub assembly was replaced by garage last year... drivers side was not replaced-previous owner did not disclose the repair-where di i go from here?????????????????????

[Problem Three] Check Engine Light on-ran code scanner at parts store-cylinder # 6 misfire and ABS light on

where do we go from here

Wirelessly posted (droid)

sounds like you have a bad hub assembly to me.

your own personal experience?

how big is the lift on your ranger?

Wirelessly posted (droid)

Yeah when the wheel bearing/ hub assemblys go bad they start to growl and since it the growl comes and goes when you turn that's a other indication of a bad hub. The lift on my truck is a 6" RCD kit

nice rig!
getting on the wrenches tomorrow to see where i am at-everything is rusted cause they salt the roads in Michigan-sprayed PBblaster on everything-we shall see

Wirelessly posted (droid)

Thanks! I know all about the salt thing, I'm from Michigan too. Good luck wrenching!

I will have to check my howl out further...Thought it might be the tires...Stinking Michigan people.... :)...

okay i have removed what i could and am now looking at a corroded vacuum line-(not the rubber tubing) the hard line that is 4" long with a 90 degree bend at the top that comes out of the top of the steering knuckle(backside of hub assembly)-its ready to crumble to pieces!

i think i found the reason why that hub didnt engage into 4 wheel drive!

now my questions
[1] is it replaceable?
[2] how do you replace it?
[3] is it a factory replacement part?
[4] do i have to replace steering knuckle?

[5]is it time to go to manual lockers? least expensive fix?
which lockers for my truck?
1999 Xlt 3.0 4 wheel ABS

post links please-thanks spud

thanks for every ones time