5.0 explorer single Clunk right before coming to a dead stop. Any ideas?

[white98xplorer]

Hello! I have had this issue for a while on my 1998 ford explorer 5.0 All wheel drive. Right before coming to a complete stop I get a single clunk. seems like it's from the rear end. Someone said it could be a driveshaft slip yoke but just wondering if any one else has any ideas. Pretty sure it's not transmission mounts cause the transmission shifts good and there's no vibrations or anything. Let me know your ideas and how I can tell what might be bad if you can, thanks!

 

[J_C]

I agree, could be the joke. Here's a TSB describing the lube procedure for a Ranger, should be about the same.

https://www.4x4community.co.za/forum/attachment.php?attachmentid=46041&d=1258562803

It mentions special grease. Here's a kit with the grease and clamp but not specifically for an Explorer, I don't known if the clamp will adjust to the size needed... "probably"?

https://www.amazon.com/Ford-Drive-Repair-Number-9L3Z4W602A/dp/B00TNEPNEC?tag=seriouexplor-20

 

[white98xplorer]

I agree, could be the joke. Here's a TSB describing the lube procedure for a Range, should be about the same.

https://www.4x4community.co.za/forum/attachment.php?attachmentid=46041&d=1258562803

Thanks so much

 

[J_C]

I also linked a kit, don't know if the clamp is right but you could get an aftermarket clamp if not. Supposedly the grease is special teflon grease, though if the original grease lasted 27 years, that might not be a bad result for replacement grease of the same original type. I'd be more concerned about boot rot.

 

[white98xplorer]

I also linked a kit, don't know if the clamp is right but you could get an aftermarket clamp if not. Supposedly the grease is special teflon grease, though if the original grease lasted 27 years, that might not be a bad result for replacement grease of the same original type. I'd be more concerned about boot rot.

Yeah I'll look into all of it. If its a pain in the butt I'll probably just not worry about it just cause it's a almost 30 year old car. Thanks for the help!!

 

[J_C]

In the past I've also wondered if there was a lazy way to do it.

Take clamp off, use a big rubber mallet or strap to pull the axle back, compress the boot, and squirt some very low viscosity grease or ~80W plus gear oil on the visible portion of the splines without taking the whole axle off to do a thorough cleaning, since the factory grease is probably just dried up. Not the best repair method but if it doesn't need to last forever...

 

[white98xplorer]

In the past I've also wondered if there was a lazy way to do it.

Take clamp off, use a big rubber mallet or strap to pull the axle back, compress the boot, and squirt some very low viscosity grease or ~80W plus gear oil on the visible portion of the splines without taking the whole axle off to do a thorough cleaning, since the factory grease is probably just dried up. Not the best repair method but if it doesn't need to a last forever...

Yeah i was thinking something more like that, just a quick fix to either temporarily (or ideally permanently) make it stop or at least lessen the clunk a little. Either way I'm happy. Again it's an old car so it's gonna have it's quirks and for that being the only issue I have I'm pretty happy.

 

[410Fortune]

Park on level ground
Put truck in neutral and chock a tire so it cannot roll
Get under there and check for looseness at the rear pinion u joint

My guess is your u joint(s) are worn

You will never find a loose u joint when she’s in park and the drivelines are under tension