bump stop / thud in 2004 4x4 after complete stop

[Curtis]

I just picked up an 04 V8 4x4 for the wife at an auction. I'll keep my 96 XLT for me...

Anyway, when you come to a stop there is a thud or clunk. You feel it in the rear of the truck. This happens after you stop when you normally feel the weight shift back after a complete stop I feel something "bump". First thought it was the transmission but shifting is fine and it only happens after a complete stop when the nose of the explorer comes back up. If I slow down slowly to minimize nose dive this "thud" doesnt happen.

I have been searching around here and it seems to be a slip yoke? Most of the responses for this problem are with pre 2002. So does the 2004 generation 4x4 model have this slip yoke in the drive shaft?

I read about multiple fixes
- take the drive shaft out and clean and re-grease the slip yolk
- leave it in and re-grease but replace the clamps holding on the boot
- drill a small hole in the boot and spray in grease or teflon
- get the kit from Ford for under $30

Is this something I can do myself assuming that the 04 4x4 does have this slip yoke? I am mechanically inclined and would rather do it myself.

If the 2004 model does not have this slip yoke what else could it be?

Any help is appreciated....

Thanks
Curtis

 

[Curtis]

anyone confirm if the 2004 has this slip yoke with the boot?

 

[Curtis]

Ok, I couldnt stand the suspense... I went out with the camera and held it under the truck and snapped a few pix... This is what I saw...


So....
I saw a post where someone removed the clamps, slid the boot away and put new grease on the slip joint.

Question is, how do you get the grease into the splines? should I pack it around and then jump on the rear bumper?

On the post I saw the screw clamps were used to fix the boot back in place. Is this recommended? If I got the same clips as the factory could I make a tool to compress them?

 

[Curtis]

Turns out there were 2 bushings missing in the rear end. That allowed the drive shaft to thump. Dealer said its like the rear end had work done before and the bushings were left out. Dont have the truck back yet but after $330 for 2 bushings, I hope its resolved.