front clunk noise/vibration driver side

[sgarcia89lx]

my wife was coming back from work and she was getting off the hwy and the left front wheel started clunking and it started to get worst as she was trying to look for a lot to park(it's snowing right now)well i went to pick her up and too see what was going on,to see if i can bring it home ,as i started to drive it started clunking lightly then when i sped up it started doing it worst and vibrating ,you guys think this is a drive shaft problem? the boots look ok.and i was looking at the wheel while i was driving and it wasnt wobling either everything looked normal no oil or gease anywhere ?i need to know if i'm running into somthing big or small to see if i should bring it home or tow it to my job to have the guys at the dealer fix it.i can fix it my self if it's somthing small like a drive shaft or somthing like that but if it's like a transfer case or anything like that then it needs to go on the lift.this is on a 97 Eddie Bauer V8 AWD Explorer.Thanks alot for any help guys.

 

[sgarcia89lx]

i just got my wifes truck back home ,i checked it really quick again and it's sounds like a snapping sound when the driver side wheel starts to roll .anyone???would the transfer case do such a sound?

 

[Opera House]

Jack up the front wheel

under the lower arm. You can then put one hand on the half shaft and rotate the tire with the other. If it is the half shaft, you should feel it when it kinks. The half shaft will snap out of the differential. Unfortunantlu you have to take off the hub and unbolt the lower ball joint. You might as well replace the ball joint while you are at it. It is probably worn and you will likely damage it when you seperate it. Should take about 3-4 hours for a first timer. Takes moderate to advanced beating skils.

 

[jasonb]

i'd check the stuff mentioned above. i just ran into a similar thing and assumed it was my ball joints, ordered new ones and went to tighten the wheel nut (i had the cv's out and all to put a front locker in). i noticed there was a LOT of play in the hub unit and pulled it. it was shot! looked horrible. maybe something to think about as well.

 

[sgarcia89lx]

i got under the car a few minutes ago (i have it up in the air on jack stands)and found the noise coming from the drive shaft joint that goes into the transfer case ,i removed the shaft and let it run again with out the shaft and it doesnt make the noise,would the transfercase make noise if it is bad with out the drive shaft?or is it the joint from the shaft? the shaft looks ok alittle on the loose side when i move it around.

 

[Opera House]

You have to buy the entire shaft

if the CV section is bad. At the transfer case, the shaft should move in and out but have no rotational play. Make sure it has no detent from wear as it moves in and out. You obviously figured out how to get it off the transfer case without splittling the CV, these are tricky to get back in. I believe the U joint end is replaceable. You can drive forever without this shaft in. So you shop around for a good price.

 

[sgarcia89lx]

I JUST BOUGHT ONE FROM THE DEALERSHIP FOR $190 BUT I'M VERY WORRIED IF I SHOULD PUT IT ON OR NOT CAUSE THE TRANSFERCASE FLANGE HAS SOME PLAY,BUT IT DOESNT MAKE NOISE WHILE IT'S ROTATING (

 

[sgarcia89lx]

I GOT BRAVE AND INSTALLED THE NEW SHAFT AND THE PROBLEM WENT AWAY THANKS GOD IT WASNT THE TRANSFERCASE.