Rearend clunk 'n wobble--plus general rearend questions

[jk051]

Howdy,

My 98 xlt 4x4 has developed a nice clunking/popping sound while going through left hand turns (the noise also seems to be coming from the left side). It sounds like something is moving out of place and then popping back into place once the turn is completed. The noise seemed to get a little worse after I put in bilstein shocks a while ago. I have also found that the rear end really skips around going through turns that the front end takes without a problem. I have also noticed that when i push the rear end from side to side (putting most of my weight into it) i get a similar clunking noise that almost sounds like the break rotors hitting something (ive been too lazy to really figure out where its coming from...but it seems to be coming from both wheels). My first thought was the sway bar bushings so i disconnected the sway bar...but that seemed to make things worse. I plan to replace the bushings and possibly upgrade to a bigger bar sometime in the near future so i can completely eliminate that as the source. I have also checked to make sure the tires securely up in there.

Any ideas what could be causing the noise?

Also...is the crappy handling from the rearend typical of stock x's or is something wrong? either way...is there anything i can do to improve it besides the new sway bar? How much will the new thicker sway bar help?

One more thing...whats the thing that looks like a shock absorber that connects to the rear axle called? I remember someone telling me its called a steering stabilizer...is that correct? Should I replace it?

Thanks

 

[RacerX]

My '97 2WD Mountaineer recently began making a metallic scraping sound in hard left turns, just as you described. It sounds as though the brake rotor is rubbing against the inner gravel guard. Have you discovered the source of your noise?

 

[Exploderpilot]

could this be a trac-loc beggining to go?

 

[Hoppy]

Any luck on the source of the clunk? My 2000 ex is starting this now too.

 

[bob52259]

I also have this problem . It does it when i put in drive after backing up . Then the rearend starts to sway . It also happens when I go from highway speed down to a stop . Clunks then sways . I replaced the shocks , steering stabilizer shock . The sway bar bushings are tight . Also took axle cover off and checked the gears , all good ( just normal wear and tear ) brakes ok . My next guess would be u-joints . Thanks for any help you can give .... Kinda tired of getting nickel and dimed to death ...

 

[swshawaii]

Inspect the rear sway bar end links, especially the upper frame bolts. Torque @ 55 ft/lbs and use Loctite.

Search "axle damper" or fifth shock" for the other info. GL

 

[bob52259]

Thanks , I was going to try that first before I dug into u-joints . I'll let you know how it goes . Thanks again ....

 

[bob52259]

Well , replaced the end links and still have the clunk and sway . Thanks for any help you can give . I'm lost here . Thanks again .