99 Explorer front vibration.

[neelie W]

Hi there i have a 99 explorer and i seem to get a severe vibration from the front end it doesnt appear to come through the steering wheel. i have replaced the front rotors and bearing assemblies but this has made no difference it does not appear all the time but if i have been driving for a while it happens under hard acceleration. It is driving me mad as there is nothing obvious. can anyone help????? the drive shafts do not knock and there doesnt seem to be any play in the front propshaft could it be a problem with the front differential ???...

 

[BrooklynBay]

Welcome to this forum! I've moved your thread to the stock 95-01 section. Rotate the tires, and see if you still have the same problem. It could be a wheel balancing problem. The next step would be to check the driveshaft, and U joints.

 

[neelie W]

hi there tried rotatin the tyres and checked the drive shafts it sounds like sometimes there is a grinding sound like the shaft from the prop is stripped but if i jack it up with all wheels spinning i cant seem to replicate it.have you heard of the shaft in the front axle stripping the cog before ???

 

[BrooklynBay]

Check the transfer case.

 

[williams.cory]

does it pop under hard acceleration? Is this vehcile AWD? If it is, the front driveshaft might be going out. The end connecting to the transfer case has a CV joint end and can go out, it happened on mine. Take the fornt driveshaft out and see if you still have the same problems. I think you take off 6 8mm bolts and 4 30 torx screws at the front diff. Very easy to take in and out. Let us know what happens

 

[eXcali]

I agree it sounds like something to do with your transfer case.

 

[neelie W]

thanks for all the advice, i have removed the front prop and will test it out tomorrow there doesnt seem to be any play in the CV joint but i guess it would be different under load. on another note any ideas which body lift would fit the 99 explorer.i haveseen a few for the ranger but not sure which part number i would need.

 

[neelie W]

hi folks, took the explorer out today no vibration at all no knocking very smooth looks like the front prop will have to be replaced...

Thanks all for the info. reallu useful

 

[eXcali]

very cool, this should be an inexpensive fix if you can find a junkyard with it on hand.

 

[neelie W]

vibration has returned !!!!

Well folks fitted new front prop shaft and the problem has returned. same as before vibration under hard acceleration which seems almost like a knocking and feels like the wheel will come off at times. with the prop off there is no problem at all. im totally confused so hopefully someone can help...