Grinding noise

[19krpm]

I just bought an 01 sport trac 4wd 4.0 at auction knowing it had an issue. I have never heard such a bad noise coming from a vehicle before. It sounds like earth moving equipment tracks squealing. It is also accompanied by a grinding noise that resonates throughout the cabin. It also does not roll easily, I have to give it some gas before it even wants to more. The noise happens in 2wd and 4wd and seems to be coming from the front/midsection of the vehicle. I will post a youtube vid below for diagnostic sake. The lights that were on during vid are from me messing around with 4wd. It is also running rough so has a mil on but that is another story. No codes for the trans, but the battery was super dead when I got it so the memory is all cleared out. Any advice on where to look when I put it up in the air would be appreciated.


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[Turdle]

Welcome to the forum. I deleted the other thread so people would not have to bounce back and forth with answers. since I did this I thought I would also chime in.
It's kind of difficult to pinpoint noises from computer speakers, but the first place i would start is the front drive shaft. Remove it and then go for a drive to see if the noise goes away. Heck, once the drive shaft is removed you might discover a toasted joint on the transfer case end of it. possibly the front joint also.
If the sounds persist, the issue could be a bad bearing or worse yet, something in the front differential. Once on a lift you'll be able to spin and move the front drive components .

Also, check the transmission mount, look for evidence of the front drive shaft making contact with the top side of the skid plate.

 

[19krpm]

Thank you! I didn’t know how much traffic each subforum got, but I won’t cross post in the future. I don’t work on many domestic 4wds so they are admittedly my weak point. Hopefully it will be obvious when I get it on a lift, but worst case I will pull the driveline like you suggested.

 

[aj213121]

Maybe check the differential oil as well

 

[19krpm]

This one was much easier than what I thought. The reason it was at an action is because the previous owner thought something was seriously wrong with it as did I when I unloaded it from the trailer. I thought the wheels looked funny for an Explorer. I'll just let the pictures do the talking. I don't know why people do stupid things like this. On to the next problem now.

 

[koda2000]

Yep, that would cause a grinding noise alright.

 

[19krpm]

I never would have thought I would see something so dumb, but what would you expect from someone who buys primewells!? Apparently the wheels clear in the rear ok. I’m glad I only drove it from the trailer to the garage. It’s bad enough that I think I may be replacing the calipers.

 

[Turdle]

I never would have suspected that-wow.

 

[koda2000]

I may have been suspicious as soon as I saw the odd wheel for an Expl, but maybe not.

 

[Tech By Trade]

I think this one wins the internet for today.