Is my diff about to go?

[Motorhead350]

Hi guys, new here.

My wife has a 2005 Mercury Mountaineer with full time AWD with 109,000 miles. Recently we have been hearing a popping sound that sounds like it's coming from the rear end. It will make this loud sound when I give the throttle a punch off of the line or sometimes a shift from D to R. I can get it to make the pop on command on speed bumps if I go 7mph. Go smooth over the bump and it's quiet. Also, it made this noise today when I made a simple lane change at a low speed.

It will not make this noise on command when turning from one city block to another.

I was told about two years ago this would be a problem between 110,000-120,000 miles.

Is there any way to check this out without tearing it apart?

Thanks!

 

[PopRichie77]

Have you checked the CV joints and the drive shaft joints?

 

[Ronin8002]

also check the bolts that attach the diff to the frame. There are two in the rear crossmember that sits in front of the spare tire area, and one on the front housing of the diff. I've read about that front one coming loose on a few people now and causing noise.

 

[Motorhead350]

I will check those things out this weekend.

Thank you very much!