Need help with diagnose

[ITSMYWIFESCAR]

2003 xls with 4.0. 4wd. 72k miles


There are really 2 issues but I assume they are related. I will give you both, if you tell me your thoughts.


First is a grinding noise. It sounds to me like it is coming from just in front of the drivers seat. My wife says it sounds like its comig from the rear, but I am convinced it is directly in front of the driver. This noise is pretty noticeable and it seems as if I can feel it as a vibration in the steering wheel. The most important part of this is that it only happens when coasting. If I were to accelerate it goes away!

The second part is really throwing me. When I let off the accelerator the truck veers a little to the right. If I press the gass again, I can get it to veer to the left again!

Thanks in advance for your thoughts!

 

[ITSMYWIFESCAR]

Anyone??

Bueller? Bueller?

 

[sethmorgan]

Maybe the front half of your 4WD is engaging? I don't have any experience with it, but it sounds to me like engine power is going to the front wheels.

 

[ITSMYWIFESCAR]

Thanks Seth, one of my thoughts was also in the differential.


I am still open to what others might think.

 

[Blacksheep Josh]

The grinding noise may be something in the 4x4 area up front but I"m not sure....

Possibly a wheel bearing? They "grind" when they're going bad, I have one right now that you can hear steadily up until about 35mph..

 

[ITSMYWIFESCAR]

Would a wheel bearing sound go away while accelerating? The grind noise is only there while coasting or decelerating.

 

[sethmorgan]

Does it seem like this is it:

TSB 06-4-4
ISSUE
Some 2003-2004 Expedition, 2003 Navigator, 2004 F-150 vehicles equipped with a 9.75" or 8.8" limited slip rear axle, and 2002-2004 Explorer 4dr, Mountaineer, and Mustang vehicles equipped with 8.8" limited slip rear axle may exhibit a chatter shudder, a binding sensation, or a vibration during low speed turns. On 4X4 vehicles, the sensation may appear to be originating from the front axle or the steering gear.

 

[ITSMYWIFESCAR]

Turns do not dictate the noise at all. Nor does speed. The speed does increase intensity. This past weekend while on the interstate, I let off the gas pedal at 79MPH. Was the worst Ive heard it yet!

 

[sethmorgan]

Is it a howl or a whine sound?

 

[Aero540T]

check driveshafts or Ujoints

 

[ITSMYWIFESCAR]

Its a grinding noise so kinda niether. It sounds like a jet flying overhead but not nearly as loud!

 

[sethmorgan]

Not sure what kind of jet that would be, but try this:
http://www.explorerforum.com/forums/showthread.php?t=180491

 

[ITSMYWIFESCAR]

I am guilty of not reading the entire thread so, apologize if it is covered there, but mine seems to be the exact opposite of that. It is quiet under load and i am convinced it is on the front not rear.

 

[Aero540T]

I'd check front driveshaft or the ujoints on it. My girlfriend's jeep made clunking noises and vibrations whenever you got off the throttle, but didn't notice when accelerating. if you get under the vehicle and see fluid leaking on the front differential that's a good sign you've found your culprit.

 

[jrford]

To add to the above suggestions, maybe brake rotors.
i'd vote for wheel bearings, but you said the sound didn't change, although i wouldn't count it out yet. The front diff i have yet to hear of a bad bearings, rear yes, fronts no but it could be the first.

 

[sethmorgan]

I had a front bearing go bad. No 4WD though, does it matter?

 

[ITSMYWIFESCAR]

I will look at the breaks and the differential tonight and post tomorrow.

 

[jrford]

I had a front bearing go bad. No 4WD though, does it matter?

I was talking about the Front Differential or pumpkin..those are made by DANA while the rears are Ford’s 8.8.

Those DANAs which are used in jeeps too and on the jeep web boards I almost never hear of a failure, unless the dude is running swampers or something big. Although I could be wrong, in Fords now they might have changed something, don’t know.

You will still need front wheel bearings even if 2WD is that what you replaced?

It common to hear of rears diff’s going bad. . .and it seems it’s the bearing’s in them not the R&P, add to the Rear outer bearings going out often, I wonder what’s up with the rear bearings in general??? I wonder if there are from the same supplier??? Same size?:scratch: