Banging Noise coming from the rear

[txhotrod]

I have a 2003 2x4 Explorer that has a LOUD banging noise coming from the rear. Checked the brakes and they seem fine. You can only turn the axle about 3/4 of a trun before it gets real hard so hard you cant turn it by hand anymore. Rearend? How hard is that to change out? I see its IFS in the rear like a Vette, looks like a PIA!!

 

[Ronin8002]

It's not hard to swap out. Worst part is taking all the suspension stuff/brakes/hubs off. Then you have to "pop" the axles out since they're held in by little circlips. The haynes or chilton manuals they sell at auto parts stores have the procedure in them.

 

[EasyRhino]

I have a 2003 2x4 Explorer that has a LOUD banging noise coming from the rear. Checked the brakes and they seem fine. You can only turn the axle about 3/4 of a trun before it gets real hard so hard you cant turn it by hand anymore. Rearend? How hard is that to change out? I see its IFS in the rear like a Vette, looks like a PIA!!

Prior to the bang, did you have the rear differential whine common to these Ex's?

Any other warning signs?

As Ronin said, it's not that bad, but probably a one day, two six-pack job.

How many miles on it? Any towing?

 

[txhotrod]

Very little towing, but it has 260,000 miles on it.

 

[1AJeremyD]

Well it sounds like you definitely got your moneys worth with 260,000 on the clock. It shouldn't be to hard as long as everything isn't rust-welded to each other.

 

[EasyRhino]

Very little towing, but it has 260,000 miles on it.

260K???

I'll be ecstatic if my rear diff makes it to 150K! It's been howling since about mile 2.