Rear end whine while stopping and then clunks???

[xploderRB]

I've search all over the forums and only found 1 thread that seems to describe the symtoms I'm having. That thread was old and the problem wasn't really figured out.

I have a 2002 Eddie Baurer 4x4.

BTW - I do NOT have the famous rear end growl at higher speeds.

So, basically my problem happens at random and seems to mainly do it after a longer (10-30 mile) drive at higher speeds (50+mph).

The problem(when it happens) is when i'm coming to a stop and once it slows down to around 15 mph i start to hear a whining sound(I believe it to be from the rearend) and at around 5mph i will feel/hear a noticable clunk. After i stop there doesn't seem to be any issues with taking off or drivabilty.

The reason i think it's the rear end is at times i've been able to shift the transmission into nuetral while stopping and when the whining is occuring. The whining stops immediately and there isn't a clunk before coming to a stop. When i'm at a complete stop i switch it back to drive and then I hear a louder clunk sound that definitly seems to becoming from the rearend.

To me it seems like slop in the rear gears(but i don't have the high speed growl???) or u-joint or i've heard it could be the slip yoke???. I haven't been able to jack up the X to inspect things for my self yet.

Hopefully somebody has heard of this issue and can shed some light on it for me.

Thanks

 

[mshuler009]

Pop the cover off the rear diff and look for metal chunks/shavings.....even if you don't you'll know that's not it and it'll have fresh fluid in it

 

[xploderRB]

Sorry forgot to mention that I've had the fluid flushed and everything looked good. No metal shavings or no burnt discoloration or smell.

I used 75w 140 lucus oil along with the lucus oil stabalizer and ford friction modifier.

For what it's worth too.... This problem(whine & clunk) started prior to the flush and still continued after the flush.

Sorry should have stated that in the orginal post.

I guess another bit of info i could include which i was going to post about as another topic is my clutch packs sometime slip (started after fluid change).

When the fluid is cold it will get the binding sensation when turning left and sometimes right from a dead stop. Once my fluid in the diff is warmed up i don't get any clutch pack slipping. Any idea's on this issue or if it could be related?

Neither problem seem to be a very big deal at the moment but..... you never know.

Thanks!

 

[mshuler009]

Ok, well then did you rotate the wheels around a few times while the cover was off? And if you did was there any play? Also, have you dropped the tranny pan or checked the tranny fluid.....it may be getting time for a re-man or junkyard tranny if it's starting to slip.....Just something you might want to look into if you plan on keeping it for a while longer...

 

[IZwack]

Check for pinion play.

 

[xploderRB]

When the fluid was change the cover stayed on. I had an honest mechanic who I've known for a while change my fluids. Gave him the fluid and he changed front an back for $40. Wasn't worth my hassle so i let him do it. He would have told me if there were noticable problems(smell,metal flakes,ect...).

I don't have any shifting or slipping issues with the transmission. I had the dealership recently (after diff fluid flush) flush my trans. Never dropped the pan on the trans though. I suppose i could but i really don't feel it's being caused by the transmission.

It seems like when i put the trans into neutral while its whining that it releases tension on the rear end so that's why the noise stops. It's definitly a clunk coming from the rear when i put it back into drive.

Thanks for the replys.

 

[Marlin444]

2002 whin & Clunk here too

Hi Rick here from MA My 2002 Explorer is doing the same exact thing ..what did you end up finding was wrong ?

 

[xlsaspen]

Mine too!

Hi, I have a 2002 XLS-4WD (93kmiles) that is doing this same thing...any ideas??

 

[Marlin444]

Found cure to whine and clunking while turning

I found that I had one rear tire low on preasue 20 lbs. The other rear tire is a different brand ...same size but slightly different..

So, when I re inflated the low tire ...everything went away. 3 days latter whine started and clunking again ...guess what ...tire was low again.

Problem is due to two different size rear tires my case, the low tire creats a smaller size ...added to the different type and its really off.

Make sure both rears are same type / size AND OR both inflated to exact same preasure.