Need help with a grinding noise from the front differential, 02'' XLT 5.4L

[bdcontraplayr]

Hey all,

I'm trying to see if I could get some help with my XLT that I just got from a family friend. When I drove it I heard the noise. It sounded like the front wheel hub going bad. So I jacked it up and shooed the wheels and there is no play, so the hubs are good. But when I rotated the wheel, the other wheel did not rotate the opposite was like I am used to other 4×4 trucks. So I was playing around with the driveshaft and I noticed the driveshaft "slips" away from the differential. It seems like it's going to slip completely out of the diff if it wasn't connected.

Would my front differential be bad, or the driveshaft? Any troubleshooting advice would be much appreciated, I would like to do this myself and not take it to a shop.

Let me know if you need more info or maybe a short video of what I'm talking about.

 

[Number4]

The drive shafts have sockets on either end, so it can move. Are you saying that the splined piece that goes into the diff comes out? That would be bad.
Also, moving the wheels won't always revel a bad bearing with hub assemblies.
Videos or pictures are great.

 

[bdcontraplayr]

The drive shafts have sockets on either end, so it can move. Are you saying that the splined piece that goes into the diff comes out? That would be bad.
Also, moving the wheels won't always revel a bad bearing with hub assemblies.
Videos or pictures are great.

It doesn't come completely out, but if I take my hand and rotate the driveshaft, it moves. I'll take a video and post it in a few since it's still up on stands.

 

[bdcontraplayr]

https://docs.google.com/file/d/0B4QIKwlysEnqYTJ4V1h6SDVldGs/edit?usp=docslist_api


I had to upload it to Google Docs because it was too large for youtube. But just send me a request to see it and I'll let anyone who wants to check it out

 

[Number4]

I misread your statement. I was thinking of the 4x half shafts. This is, as you've stated, your driveline or propeller shaft. There should definitely not be any play like that. I wouldn't drive the vehicle until you were able to fix that. If it actually drives.
Usually you test for bad u-joints by moving (trying to move) the driveline. Shouldn't be any play at all!

 

[bdcontraplayr]

I misread your statement. I was thinking of the 4x half shafts. This is, as you've stated, your driveline or propeller shaft. There should definitely not be any play like that. I wouldn't drive the vehicle until you were able to fix that. If it actually drives.
Usually you test for bad u-joints by moving (trying to move) the driveline. Shouldn't be any play at all!

Should I take off the driveshaft and just replace it? And I didn't drive far, just down the road to my place. Less than an 1/8 mile

 

[Number4]

Post in this section and see if the professionals have a good answer. The Moderator there is a trans guy. He'll have the best answer.

http://www.explorerforum.com/forums/forumdisplay.php?f=109