I think I broke my 4x4

[ruzztec]

I was drivin my explorer in the worst of were I live (in the sticks) There have been many trucks/SUVs totaled and stuck forever in this place. It is so difficult to get to no wrecker or roll back can get to the site to retrive cars. I drove around this place as my first mud ride.It was like a automoblie graveyard. Anyways I drove threw a mud puddle that came OVER the hood and damaged the alternator,battery and had to end up rebuilding the trans. But befor after I was oulled outta that (not knowing the damage) I drove about 25mph to 30 mph threw another mudd puddle and in the middle came to a dead stop! I woke up and relized I was trown into the steering wheel. Luckly my seatbeat saved me.
THE POINT------I hear a pop in or out of place the trip home when I would break hard or turn sharp. It is 2 months later and the popping is slow going away I think but when I go into 4x4 I hear it clear, it concerns me. What should I do (By the way the dead stop was a large rock under the water) I saw no underdamage but have been told it might be the axle popping

 

[X24]

U-joints? Not too sure tho. Someone else will be able to diagnose it better.

 

[CoryL]

25-30 mph in a mud hole where you don't know what's in there? Wow, not smart.

As for the pop, since it seems to only occur in 4wd and when you are turned I would guess you blew a u-joint in one of the axleshafts.

Also, repack you wheel bearings and tighten the spindle nuts to specs. Anytime you are in mud/water your wheel bearings take a beating.

 

[Yomie]

Ruzztec where in KY did you do this? Yeah and going that fast in somethin gyou don't know about is not smart at all. since you did go through deep mud you might wanna check you r diffs, to make sure there is no mud in there also, do you have the auto hubs still on there also?

 

[ruzztec]

Thanks Everyone

:exp: Thanks for the help I post the results o and I live in Southern KY on the border between TN and KY a place called McCreary County----Auto Hubs? I'm not sure what they are, Are the manuals the ones that to put into 4x4 you have to get outta the car and manuly lock the hubs by turning the switch on the hubs? Does anyone have a diagram or referal to a place to show me how to fix/replace my U-Joints? Should I try to fix them or replace them?