Grind and clunk from front end

[Kawazar]

I have 2 different problems I need help with. The first is, when I change gears, lets say from drive to reverse I get a clunking noise. It makes the same noise when going back. I think that is the universal joints right? The noise comes from the drivers side front like it is the front driveshaft. It also clicks when going real slow in reverse or forward from the same area. The other noise is a constant grinding from somewhere in the front end. I think it is a wheel bearing. How can I check to see if the bearing is bad? Do I have to pull the bearings out? Thanks guys.

 

[dreamr]

This should help

http://www.explorerforum.com/forums/showthread.php?t=115811&highlight=wheel+bearing

Page 1 of my search hits

 

[Kawazar]

Sorry, I didn't do a search for the front hub. I did one for bearings and really didn't find any good info. So you have to replace the hub to replace the bearings? I thought the bearings were seperate. I guess I will try one and see if the grinding goes away. It sounds like it might be the passenger side. Thanks. Any input on the driveshaft? I searched for that but nothing specific about the clunking.

 

[dreamr]

The joy of modern vehicles ehh.. It is all one sealed uinit. Wheel bearing/hub assembly. It is very easy to change, but not cheap. If you start running a 33" on there it becomes annual maintenance too

 

[dreamr]

Soory I forgot about the clunk. There is a good chance that your U-joints are getting toasty, but lubing the slip yoke may take care of it also. Personally I would just do both if you are around or over a 100K, But that is just me and my need for peace of mind.

 

[Kawazar]

I am at 113000mi. I noticed that there is only 1 u-joint on the front shaft. Does the other coupling at the t-case ever go bad? Also, I have tread about some problems with the front diff. Could that be the grinding noise or is it most likely the bearings? It is hard to isolate the noise to a certain side. And yeah, the hubs are expensive!

 

[dreamr]

The coupling at the t-case could become problematic, but I rarely see it on here. I would start with u-joints and greasing the slip yoke to start on the drivetrain clunk. And I would bet that the wheel bearing are responsible for the grinding noise up front. To test them you can jack the front end off the ground, remove the tire, and rotate the hub assembly by hand. It should turn very smoothly. If it cathces, feels gritty or rough replace it.

Rockauto was the cheapest I have found them...My last set though came off a totalled X with 50K on the clock. I figured it would get me by untill SAS time. However they have lasted longer than a new ford replacement. Which is nice cause I am not ready for an SAS anyway.

 

[Kawazar]

Thanks again for the input. That's exactly what I needed.

 

[Kawazar]

I just got done putting the truck on stands and running the drivetrain. I foud out that the u-joints and bearings are fine. The clunking is coming from the t-case where the front driveshaft goes in. Any cause for concern? Also, the grinding noise is from the rear end. I have not checked the fluid and I know it hasn't been changed. Could a fluid change help with the noise?

 

[dreamr]

Possibly fluids would help,

I would be interested to find out though (regarding rear grind) what condition the rear disks as well as e brake drums are in. Could be inside the axle, but then you are talking about an expensive rebuild so I would check Everything else first.

As to the front driveline. There is a bit of play (less than a 1/4 turn). Typically when the control trac engages the front it gives a bit of a clunk.
Did you grease the slip yoke on the drivehaft?

 

[Kawazar]

On the front driveshaft there is no point where it can slip in and out of itself when it moves. The only point it has any connections is the u-joint and that funky coupling at the t-case. The is no splined connection in the middle on mine. The rear has one I believe. The rear disks and pads are fine. I did not pull the rotors to check the e-brake. It definately sounds like it is from the center. I got under it while the drivetrain was moving (on jack stands!) and it was more noticible from the center. But, you know how that goes, sounds are tricky. The sound is consistant too and gets louder as the speed increases. Also, my truck has the D4 axle marking on the door jamb label. Does that mean I need limited slip additive?

 

[dreamr]

The slip yoke is on the front of the rear shaft, but the sound if it is dry will travel through the t-case to the frame, and can sound like it is coming from almost anywhere. At least that was the case with mine.

As to the grinding in the rear. If the brakes check out fine and you are sure that the sound is oriented to the rear differential it sounds like it is time to pop the cover and check for metal flakes or signs of wear.

When I went in to be re geared at 97,000 miles my rear dif was in poor shape and would have required a full rebuild very soon. However as I was re-gearing I planned on that anyway.

 

[jackndelphine]

Hey KAWAZAR, did you ever find out what the grinding noise was on your truck, I am having similar problems and am looking for ideas. Jack

 

[ARTURPOLAND]

how to grease the slip yoke ? How it works ? Does anyone have an exploded view of the slip yoke ??

 

[NHale623]

http://www.siriusnet.net/fordexplorer/tsb04-23-07.pdf

 

[Dan Whitaker]

I would check the CV joint on the front drive shaft that bolts to the t-case.

There is a little rubber boot that is hard to see but my guess is it is torn and that your CV joint is dry.

That is what happened to me. I had been chasing this problem for 6 months.

You will need to buy a remanufactured d-shaft from a parts store or have a drive line shop re-build your old one.