I think I have a problem

[secondford]

I just bought a 1999 ford explorer xlt 4.0 4X4. When I got the suv I herd a noise I thought was tire noise. The person who had the suv before me must have lived on a dirt road because when I got it the undercarriage was caked with hard mud. After I cleaned up the undercarriage the noise was louder and I now think it is coming from the transfer case. Then I turn right the noise goes away, turn left stays the same. I jacked the suv up the noise was not present the suv has about 140,000 on it and runs great.

Any input would be helpful

Robert

 

[Texplorer]

What kind of noise is it. If there was a ton of dirt underneath then maybe there is a rock stuck in one of the skid plates. Thats happened to me a few times.