'02 Explorer Transfer Case

[Clancy4]

Hi, I have an '02 Explorer with a clicking/grinding noise coming from the left front end.

I've replaced the ball joints, wheel bearing/hub assembly, brakes, and CV shaft. Noise occurs in and out of 4WD but it's worse when 4WD is engaged.

Edit: Sounds like the noise is coming from the front differential not the transfer case as I previously thought.

Any thoughts?

Thanks much in advance!

 

[drdoom]

The shaft you replaced, was that the front axle or front driveshaft?

 

[Clancy4]

Left front axle

 

[drdoom]

And the front driveshaft checks out good?

 

[Clancy4]

Good question. It's not the transfer case, the noise appears to be coming from inside the front differential on the driver's side. I didn't consider the driveshaft.

What do you think the chances are that it's the shaft vs something in the diff?

 

[drdoom]

Remove it and test drive.

 

[Clancy4]

I'll do that this weekend

 

[MrPulldown]

U joints are known to fail and can be hard to verify without removing or until they go very bad.