2005 Explorer, front diff noise.

[frankjc]

Today while driving the 2005 Explorer, I was making a turn at low speed in a parking lot. I heard a noise, and felt something under the front driver's side. It sounded and felt like something was "slipping" then "catching". We parked the car, went into a store, came out and while backing out of the parking space, it did it in reverse. We drove to another place in the mall, and it did it while going around corners. My wife pressed the "4wd auto" button, and it stopped doing it. I didn't happen to notice if the 4wd light was on. She went into a store and I played with the truck for a few minutes. When I put it in "4wd high" it does it, when I switch it to "4wd auto" it does not. I am guessing that when it first happened, it was the result of someone accidentally hitting the button, and changing modes. The noise, however does not seem right to me. Does it sound like the diff is on it's way out? Is it normal for it to make noises on dry pavement? I really hope something is not broken, I don't need anymore problems right now.
It's a 2005 V6 with Advance Trac RSC.

 

[clarks2001]

mine does something like that. When I turn left, there is some sort of popping noise and its kinda loud, when i turn right, its not as loud but still there. When I put it in 4Lo, it binds and then clunks.
Mine turns out to be the CV Axle on the front passenger side. I know when I was doing my wheel bearing, my friend pushed it in too far and it bent at the joint which probably fractured the joint. When I was going to a friends house up in the mountains, it finally busted with a loud bang. So, a simple wheel bearing replacement turned into breaking a CV Joint, so now I have to get a new axle put in. I have the axle but havent done the install yet. Figured I would have a mechanic do it since they have the right tools.. I am also having ball joints replaced up front while i am at it lol

 

[jrford]

When I put it in "4wd high" it does it, when I switch it to "4wd auto" it does not.

its a big no no, to use 'high' on dry pavement. . .you can fell binding, wheel hop, noises, and worst case break it or mess up the driveline. How does it do in Auto? If you want to test out the 4High find dirt, gravel, snow if you have it, it should not make a lot of noise, in full it should engage and stay on. In 4Auto it will turn on/off automatically, sometimes you can hear it to some extent which is normal. Loud bangs, grinding etc -bad.

 

[frankjc]

No noise or anything strange in auto. Works perfect.