front end issue on my 97 awd... stumped

[Reaper11]

So when i picked up my explorer for cheap it has
A popping grinding sound coming from the front end. So i've been trying to figure it out checked
All the normal stuff everything looked okay and
Then i pulled the pass side cv axle and bam
The intermediate shaft comes with it.
Everything looks good so i put it back together
Test drive it and i get the same noise.
Does anyone have any ideas or had this happen
To you input will be helpful. 97 Awd 5.0 xlt
Thank you guys

 

[RomeovilleIL]

So what lead you to believe it was the passenger side CV? I would suggest remove front drive shaft and take a test drive as a starting point, then work on isolating noise to one particular side or another.

** I assume by removing it you mean you removed the entire half axle assembly from the hub and pulled out of the differential. After removal did you pull back the boot to check for any rust or pitting? Did you articulate the joint and regrease?

 

[vroomzoomboom]

be very careful if you drive it with no axle in the front (cv axle)! at min, put a haft shaft in it, with the nut on the outside of your wheel bearing. if you dont, you run a big risk of your truck loosing a wheel, and becoming a tricycle.

 

[Reaper11]

I have done the trouble shooting as suggested and thats where i isolated the issue to
And both cv axles have been replaced with brand new parts.
Its just surprising that the intermediate
Shaft came out with the cv axle
When it should stay clipped in place
Its kinda leading me to suspect a bad diff but im unsure at this point

 

[vroomzoomboom]

those will come out. they arent clipped from the inside.

 

[Reaper11]

I figured that but im trying to figure out what makes it pop out while driving

 

[RomeovilleIL]

That would certainly be odd to have the cv pop out while driving. How much torsion twist you got on there?

Still suggest you take off the front drive shaft (prop shaft, not a cv) and see if the vibration is still there. The caution is truck will drift in park without that front shaft. That will eliminate potential bad prop shaft vibration and also take off the driveline power from the front differential. Since its an open carrier it should isolate any vibrations to the other components such as the cv and hubs to help troubleshoot the issue.

 

[Kevlar7R]

there is also a cv joint in the front drive shaft, which is notorious for failing, and its hard to see, up above a skid plate.

Also, are all of your tires exactly the same size? If 1 or 2 tires are a slightly different size, you will put a lot of strain on the drive line. Take it to discount and ask them to measure the tread depth. I think they are supposed to be within 3/32 all the way around.

 

[RomeovilleIL]

Also, are all of your tires exactly the same size? If 1 or 2 tires are a slightly different size, you will put a lot of strain on the drive line. Take it to discount and ask them to measure the tread depth. I think they are supposed to be within 3/32 all the way around.

^^^ excellent point on tires ^^^

Prop shaft CV issue will be apparant with removal and test drive.

 

[Reaper11]

All tires are 13/32 and i will pull out the drive shaft and see what happens thx for the help guys

 

[delexploder]

Just fixed this on my mounty im sure your gonna have a bad front diff

 

[Reaper11]

Was your having the same issue? And what did it cost you to fix it

 

[delexploder]

Yea sounds like it. I had a front diff with the same gear ratio so i just swaped them and when i opened the old one the side gears were shot. Id say the goin rate for a front diff around here is about 100 to 150 and it took me about an hour to swap.

 

[Reaper11]

Is there anyone in az that Has one laying around for cheap

 

[Kevlar7R]

no, but I have a stock rear bumper, and the front bumper valence for sale. Also a stock rear driveshaft.