Clicking noise and vibration over 60 mph

[davem]

I feel a little like the witness whose report is kinda questionable ........... but since my daughter has the 2001 Explorer SOHC V6 XLT (176,000 miles) off at college 300 miles away, I will do the best I can to report the symptoms....

I noticed some vibration/shudder when driving it a couple weeks ago ... seems to appear around 60 mph. I assumed it was wheel bearings (again), and since she was only home a short time, decided to wait for a repair later.

Now she reports a 'clicking noise' at slow speeds (probably cant hear it above a certain speed, but not necessarily 'gone'). I was thinking possible u-joints, but it does not make the familiar 'clunk' when shifting into Reverse.

I know there are many possible causes (CV joints, u-joints, wheel bearings, etc), but would welcome any input on what it might be .......... and also an assessment whether she can coax 300 miles out of it so I can have my local repair shop (who I have great trust in) work on it, opposed to someone 300 miles away that I have no experience with.

Thanks.

 

[XLTrunner]

I understand where you're coming from on this...but, I don't think anyone on here is qualified to suggest it would be okay for her to drive it 300 miles home.
With that said, normally, I would say a mild shudder and/or vibration at 60 mph would not be a reason to not make the trip. But, with the onset of that clicking noise, it kind of raises the bar of concern.

In my experiences with bad wheel brgs and cv joints, the brgs make a steady grinding or growling noise...from the moment you start driving. The cv's will click; primarily when making turns. How old are the wheel brgs? Anything else been serviced on the front end?

I realize it's a hassle to have her find and take it to a shop, but it might be the safe and responsible thing to do. I mean...do you want to be the one to face the wrath of an angry daughter when she's left stranded along side of the road in the middle of nowhere after you had said "sure...go ahead and drive it home"? Hopefully, you two can find an honest shop that won't take advantage of a mechanically naive college coed.

 

[davem]

I understand where you're coming from on this.......... I mean...do you want to be the one to face the wrath of an angry daughter when she's left stranded along side of the road in the middle of nowhere after you had said "sure...go ahead and drive it home"? ......

Its never a good time for a college student to be dealing with vehicle repairs, let alone right before/during finals....

I've had both left and right wheel bearings replaced in the last approx 40K miles. I'm leaning towards it being the CV joints/axles.

If someone had said "hey, you can only drive 50 miles like that" or "you'll also mess up the xyz part by doing that", I'd maybe approach this differently. But since she's not driving it until the 300 mile trip home after her last final, I think we're gonna roll the dice.

I'm not sure what part of MN you are from, but if you see a broke-down Explorer on I-94, somewhere south of Fargo ............ well, you'll know I'm on my way.

 

[XLTrunner]

Well...I assume she'll have a cell phone with her and, at least it's not the dead of winter. I live in Eagan, so if she has any problems while passing thru the metro area, I'd be glad to offer my assistance. Hopefully, all will be fine, though.

 

[Harpua216]

i have been chasing down these vibrations for a few months now and actually have it jacked now for the last upper control arm. if this doesnt fix the shudder, I will change the bearings and the u joint most likely, but I have been driving it this way for a while and i think if youre having the same symptoms as everyone else, then it should make the trip and if its the bearing or the CV and it gets bad it will be loud enough for you to get an immediate phone call. good luck!

 

[davem]

Update !


My daughter made it through the 300-mile drive home from college last night.

Got the front driveshaft replaced at my trusty, local shop today. Rides great now.


Thanks for the feedback.

 

[1996BLKBauer]

Update !


My daughter made it through the 300-mile drive home from college last night.

Got the front driveshaft replaced at my trusty, local shop today. Rides great now.


Thanks for the feedback.

Good to hear, It appears that the front drive shafts get neglected on our trucks quite often. It must have been Really gone if it was clicking.