Noise from rear drivers side when accelerating?

[azmike2354]

Hi, I've got a 2004 Explorer V8 Limited with 59K miles. There's a loud noise coming from the back end only when I accelerate. sound won't happen under 30 mph. No noise if in neutral. I can drive it without the noise happening if I'm light on the pedal. the noise is a roar with a metal sound, not a whine. it's difficult to describe.

Any ideas? doesn't sound like the bearing problem described in other threads since only on acceleration, not constant.

Thanks for any help.

 

[jrford]

if the noise dosent change in turns, say an off ramp, or turn the corner might be the rear diff. failed diff is a change in pitch only on acceleration or deceleration like you described.

 

[azmike2354]

I got it checked out and it turned out to be one of the heat shields vibrating. I had ruled out the heat shield since I couldn't replicate the noise in neutral, but that's what it was. It the the mechanic two minutes to fix and didn't charge me a penny. Huge relief.