1996 Explorer Grinding Vibration

[TexomaExplorer]

I have a 1996 Ford Explorer 2wd v6 automatic and its making a strange noise. I'll try to describe it. -- It sounds like a rotating grinding sound.

Here's when it happens..
If I'm in Park and on an incline or decline the noise can be heard.
If I'm accelerating the noise can be heard.

When it doesn't make noise --
If I let off the gas, the noise stops.
If I'm in Park on a flat surface, no noise.

After short drives, no smell. After long drives (about 20 miles) I can smell transmission fluid.

If I'm in reverse, I can smell transmission fluid no matter how short of drive.


Rotational grind.. Like its in the revolution of the drive shaft or something.

The faster I go, the faster the grind is.

I've never been good with the drive train on vehicles.. Motors yes, trans/etc no

Any ideas?

 

[TexomaExplorer]

Very strange, maybe I need a transmission flush

 

[jremington59]

Have you been under it looking for the tranny leak?

 

[TexomaExplorer]

I do have a small leak. Not sure where it is coming from though.

 

[TexomaExplorer]

Ok, transmission fluid all over underside of engine block, but bottom of transmission is clean/no drips there

 

[Turdle]

Front pump bearing and seal?

 

[TexomaExplorer]

Hole in line?

 

[TexomaExplorer]

Ok, so no hole in line. Cleaned off the spot, wrapped cardboard around it, drove it around. Cardboard clean. Looks like its coming from where the transmission meets the engine

 

[TexomaExplorer]

Now that I've discovered where the leak is coming from, still trying to determine what is causing the vibration/grinding.. A friend of mine said that since it drives fine, doesn't slip, no loss of acceleration, etc that he thinks its not the transmission making the vibration/grinding sound.... Still at a loss

 

[TexomaExplorer]

Ok, update --- Since the weather has gotten warm, the noise & vibration has gone away.

Parked on level ground, parked on incline, grade, shifted, power braked in drive, reversed, drove easy, drove hard, heater on, heater off, ac on, ac off, o/d on/off --- no sound..


It was def. tension related before, and now its apparently weather related...

So, cold weather + tension = noise and vibration..... ?

 

[TexomaExplorer]

Thanks for all the replies guys.. I'm still waiting on the vibration to come back -- Its odd, sometimes there, sometimes not... Now the only time it "slightly" vibrates is in 3rd gear... ?

 

[TexomaExplorer]

Update --- Replaced the transmission mount. Runs like a champ now! No more vibrating!!