2004 Explorer XLT - Rear end problems?

[heinzinator]

I recently purchased a 2004 xlt and yesterday I got a screw in the rear driver side tire so I took it off to have it plugged. When I put on my spare (which is smaller then the tires on it, its 245/65/r17 as compared to the 265/65/r17's that its normally riding on) and went to drive, it drove horribly. There was clunking and it felt like the rear end was slipping. I've driven with a bent rim before, but this felt much different.

Once my original tire was plugged and reinstalled driving went back to normal. Could a spare tire, which is smaller then the other three, cause that sort of problem?

When I climbed underneath the truck to have a peek I noticed that the rear differential case and where the axle goes into it has some oil on it. Not noticeably leaking out or anything but it is there.

Theres also a slight humming sort of noise when im already at a certain speed and then accelerate more, whether or not thats related I don't know.

So what I'm wondering is did putting the spare tire on unmask some sort of drivetrain problem by making it more apparent then when the 4 tires match? Or could the clunking and what not just be from a possibly unbalanced or bent spare rim?

Any input is appreciated, thanks!

 

[05XLimited]

The different sized tire would cause the auto 4X4 to engage as one tire is spinning at a different speed than the others causing a jerking feeling, especially when getting up to speed. As for the humming noise, it may be either a wheel bearing going bad, or a differential issue. Does it go away or change tone when not accelerating?

 

[heinzinator]

Thanks... That makes sense, I never even thought of that.

When I'm not accelerating the humming is non-existent...

 

[mall]

I recently purchased a 2004 xlt and yesterday I got a screw in the rear driver side tire so I took it off to have it plugged. When I put on my spare (which is smaller then the tires on it, its 245/65/r17 as compared to the 265/65/r17's that its normally riding on) and went to drive, it drove horribly. There was clunking and it felt like the rear end was slipping. I've driven with a bent rim before, but this felt much different.

Once my original tire was plugged and reinstalled driving went back to normal. Could a spare tire, which is smaller then the other three, cause that sort of problem?

When I climbed underneath the truck to have a peek I noticed that the rear differential case and where the axle goes into it has some oil on it. Not noticeably leaking out or anything but it is there.

Theres also a slight humming sort of noise when im already at a certain speed and then accelerate more, whether or not thats related I don't know.

So what I'm wondering is did putting the spare tire on unmask some sort of drivetrain problem by making it more apparent then when the 4 tires match? Or could the clunking and what not just be from a possibly unbalanced or bent spare rim?

Any input is appreciated, thanks!

The leak is most likely a pinion seal...there is a sticky with a good video on how to replace it.

The humming noise has been discussed many times in this forum with several different solutions ranging from drive shaft, wheel bearings, differential, there are bushings/insulators somewhere in the rear suspension, u-joints and probably a couple more possibilities. You need to check everything between the transmission and the rear tires, its most likely in the drive train somewhere...good luck, I have not found it in mine yet. I have replaced the u-joints, drive shaft, pinion seal and wheel bearings (all these parts were bad, but the noise is still there). I am going to check the bushings/insulators next time I get the chance to look at it.

 

[heinzinator]

Thanks for the info! I will look into it