Rattle in transmission

[eddie_19852004]

I have a 2001 Ford Explorer Sport. 4.0 SOHC 2WD with 153,x.. miles on it. Lately I've noticed if I stop at a stop light on a hill, nothing really steap or nothing, and I start to accelerate, there is a noticeable ping or knocking noise. usually after it has already shifted into second gear. It will get a little louder as it nears the upper range of the gear, and when is shifts to the next gear, no noise, but it will repeat when its almost ready to shift into 4th. since I have had this car, we've done all new plugs, wires, upper and lower intake gaskets, cleaned the mass air flow sensor, 2 new air filters last was a K&N, quite a few oil changes, new shocks, new front rotors w/ceramic pads, wheel bearings/seals, upper ball joints, O2 sensors up/downstream, and I think that is...One other thing I've noticed is kind of a knock when I hit hard bumps/potholes at slow speeds, only when I'm pressing the brakes...now it's turned into a knock when I turn the wheels maybe 1-3 knowcks as I turn the wheel completely to the right and everynow and then a knock as I turn it back to the left. Also sometimes it makes a knock or tick sometimes as I let off the brake as I leave a stop light...any tips, suggestions or answers would be greatly appreciated, as its driving me crazy!!! Thanks so much!!!

 

[eddie_19852004]

...cont'd

I wanted to add, all the noises and knocks, ticks, whatever are coming from the front end...

 

[BrooklynBay]

Welcome to this forum! Are you sure that it's the transmission, and not the transfer case, U joint, or any other front end part?

 

[eddie_19852004]

not sure

we've replaced the u-joint in the front of the axle, and it is only 2WD...could it maybe be the rear u-joint, it kind of sounds like it somes from the front, but it may not be...

 

[4x4firefighter]

easy check.....get on ground and turn drive shaft...it SHOULDNT wiggle...if it does u got u joint problem

 

[96 Explorer XLT]

I had a "rattle" and thought it was coming from my transmission but it ended up being a loose heat sheld. A few clamps--issues resolved.

 

[eddie_19852004]

reply...

okay, fire fighter, I'll get down as soon as I can and sheck the rear u joint, and check for a lose heat shield. Do you have any idea at all what the knocking noise may be coming from the front drivers side? Also, I've noticed the upper ball joint on that side is leaking kind of a lot of grease from the bottom of the rubber boot, but Ive been told it may be just because it was a bit over greased when they were done...