Explorer grinding sound

[Jordan Saunders]

I have 1997 explorer sport with the sohc engine. It is four wheel drive. The transmission seams to shift through all the gears normally. When I am going down the road and start to slow down/coast occasionally it will start making a horrible grinding noise. If I slow to a stop the noise goes away around 5-10 miles per hour. If I tap the throttle once I hear the nose it goes away immediately and I quietly stop. Does anyone know what could cause this?

 

[974X4BLACKSPORT]

Might be a loose pinion nut and/or bearing in the rear differential. You can test this by lifting one of the rear tires off the ground to remove any load on the r&p, (open diff only) then grab the rear u joint on the drive shaft and see if the yoke going into the rear diff. has any side to side, or fore and aft movement, should be none.

 

[donalds]

Pinion barring preload if so need a seal and crush sleeve
Carrier barring s
Worn gears

Mine did this
Rebuilt rear diff
However we drove it for a long time that way

Cost about 500 for parts Inc gears

 

[GLOCKer]

I'm really, really, really hoping that rebuilding mine this weekend with everything EXCEPT new ring & pinion will help mine. I purchased a rebuild kit with new bearings and seals and such, new axle bearings and seals, Royal Purple gear oil and Ford friction modifier. Wish me luck; we start at 0900 tomorrow with the tear down and rebuild!

 

[Jordan Saunders]

My rear end was just swapped with a used last year. It is a 4:10 gear ratio.

 

[donalds]

I'm really, really, really hoping that rebuilding mine this weekend with everything EXCEPT new ring & pinion will help mine. I purchased a rebuild kit with new bearings and seals and such, new axle bearings and seals, Royal Purple gear oil and Ford friction modifier. Wish me luck; we start at 0900 tomorrow with the tear down and rebuild!

I'll bet your gears are fine from what sound you are describe mine were fine but I had a new set so put them in

You can see the wear on the gears
Sharp edges etc just search ring and pinion wear pattern

 

[donalds]

Be sure you have proper tools
In my opinion the most important are
Breaker bar
Beam style torque wrench inch pound
And a magnetic base dial indicator