Clicking from under truck at idle

[trucku]

I have searched and looked for a good answer, but didn't find my issue, maybe I missed it.


When my truck is at idle I noticed a clicking sound coming from under the truck. Its seems to go away when I start to drive. As soon as the vehicle is stopped while in drive or in park and idling, I hear it. I have no clue what it is. The truck is driving fine. My oil is at level. Can an overfilled tranny click for some reason ( shift perfectly)? I thought it might have been from my pulley area but its directly under the vehicle just after the engine it seems.

If anyone can give a quick link to a thread with a fix or some words or wisdom would be appreciated.

Vishant

 

[trucku]

:thumbdwn:

 

[Nevea'sExplorer]

My only thought would be to crawl around under your truck until you find where the clicking sound is coming from. It's hard to say anything else about it because it could be anything.

 

[trucku]

Yeah was planning that this weekend.

Spent the some time today trying to take my left front wheel off. I did a brake fluid flush today with valvolines synthetic brake fluid. Anyways..The POS dealer service center crossthreaded 2 lug nuts. They must have used a air tool to put the lugs on from the beginning, instead of few hand turns then tool. With me standing on pry bar I had to bounce to move them. Then struggle to take them two off the whole way. about 1/4 inch of the bolt threads right when the lug makes contact was totally twisted and deformed. The lug was nice and super hot to the touch after all that twisting them off. I spent like 2 hours wire brushing them and using a small thin file to shape and fix the threads. I then sprayed them and the lugs with lithium grease and worked the lugs on the bolts back and forth (no rim on). I had to stop every quarter inch or so and take the lugs of to clean the shavings. Finally this worked and I was able to put the lugs on and off with moderate effort.

I defintalely didn't do this. I hand tighten then torque my lugs. Them *******s cause so much problems.

Anyways...the brakes are feeling beautiful.

 

[prerunner02]

Have you found the clicking yet?

If not check the torque converter bolts, loose bolts there would do exactly what you describe, noise when idling in park or drive noise goes away when driving.

 

[trucku]

Have you found the clicking yet?

If not check the torque converter bolts, loose bolts there would do exactly what you describe, noise when idling in park or drive noise goes away when driving.

No I haven't yet. I have not gotten under the truck (holiday weekend). I will this weekend. How would I check them bolts? What do I have to take apart to see or get to them? Now it it is a loose bolt, am I looking at a catastrophic failure at speed here?

 

[prerunner02]

from looking at some pics that i have, it looks like your bet bet would be to remove the starter for access.If you can, I would recommend removing the loose bolts completely, wire brush them, apply loctite, then install to 28ft lbs... 1 at a time of course.

 

[trucku]

How should I rotate the engine to the next bolt when doing this (from crank pulley)? Hope I can get access to do this with starter. Is this (the bolt) a common issue with the explorers that you know? Will get a move on this Saturday and hope all ends up well.

Thanks Prerunner02

 

[prerunner02]

I would use the crank pulley, take the plugs out if its too hard to rotate.
And its not an explorer problem its more of no engineer has been able to make a balanced smooth running v6 yet problem.NP I'm here to help if i can.

 

[trucku]

Awesome..will update you after the weekend...

I am hoping thats the problem and not a tranny issue...
But my tranny is shifting better than it ever has, since my remote filter and flush.

I am betting like you said its the bolt, Judging from the way it sounds at idle.

Should I worry about driving it? Wierd thing is (don't know if its related) when moving from stop sometimes I feel a slight bump or shift or maybe even slop in something then the truck moves. Its very slight with no noise, and not all the time that I can feel. It feels almost like the wheel moves then the truck and not all at the same time.

Thanks again .

Now I can't wait to examine this issue.


Vishant

 

[prerunner02]

I know exactly what you mean about how it feels like the tires move then the truck, mine does it too. I have checked it out and it seems to be normal with the auto 4x4 and the spongy bushings just kicking in.

 

[Rustang©]

im gonna throw my two cents out there but give a look towards an exhaust leak, a small one. If it is small it will have a sound resembling a clicking noise, i just fixed mine about 20 min ago with some muffler mender.


This is just a sound i get at times.

The reason it is only heard at idle, is because at idle the engine's exhaust pressure is low enough to not create a suction. When the engine is under load instead of the exhaust gas escaping through the hole, it sucks air in via Bernoulli's principle.

Give it a shot and start your truck, and feel around the exhaust flanges and muffler, and any join between two lengths of tube, for warm airflow.

Good luck

 

[suzook]

i recently purchased an 03 aviator, but in my search, i heard the same ticking on an 02 explorer w/v8. the sound came from under the truck, sounded like behind the engine. my thinking, it was a small exhaust leak. i agree with rustang.

 

[prerunner02]

that would be nice if it was just an exhaust leak


did you ever find your rattle?

 

[trucku]

Damn...haven't had a chance to check it out, but observed something interesting. It is intermittent.

This chilly morning I started the truck and it clicked like 5 times very lightly and then it was gone. The other day in a quiet parking lot I heard nothing but a running engine. I revved her up a few times and no noise appeared. Then the very next day.....clicking away.

 

[suzook]

Damn...haven't had a chance to check it out, but observed something interesting. It is intermittent.

This chilly morning I started the truck and it clicked like 5 times very lightly and then it was gone. The other day in a quiet parking lot I heard nothing but a running engine. I revved her up a few times and no noise appeared. Then the very next day.....clicking away.

it probably is an exhaust leak. when it is cold it leaks, as the truck warms up, the pipes expand and close the leak. it may get worse after time, but wouldnt worry about it for now

 

[Rustang©]

Go to any auto parts store and buy muffler mender, its a paste you put on the muffler/pipe and it will seal and leaks.

To test for leakes, start up the truck and stick your hand around the muffler/pipes/flanges and so forth to feel for warm air.

DONT DO IT IF THE TRUCK IS WARM!!! YOU WILL BURN YOUR HAND!!!!

Good Luck Man

-Dan