Shaking rear end

[dannym52fire]

I have an 02 Explorer XLT 4.0 4x4. I know that Exploders are known to have the rear axels go around a certain amount of miles. But my explorer isn't having the same symptoms as I've heard others having. I've heard that other ones make like a grinding noise, but mine is shaking. When you accelerate and turn, it shakes in the back, almost like a pulse. It only does it when you're turning, and usually when accelerating. We took it to the garage and they drove it. They did not notice anything unusual, but it has gotten worse and more jerkish or rough in the past few months. Any input towards this would be appreciated. Thanks!

 

[imp]

......... It only does it when you're turning, and usually when accelerating. ..... Any input towards this would be appreciated. Thanks!

This suggests the problem is at it's worst when the speed of the two rear wheels is most unequal- when going around a corner. During movement not in a straight line, differential gears rotate with respect to each other; this is not true in straight-ahead movement. So, the differential is first suspect. If this is a non-slip or limited-slip set-up, jerking can occur if clutches do not slip smoothly. Limited-slip additive might prove to eliminate the "shake". However, don't count on it. Damaged or broken differential gears will make a terrible noise as well as jerky motion; you did not describe such noise.

Torque to the axles is divided when turning; this results in unequal torque being transmitted by the C-V joints in the axle shafts. They should be checked for "play" or discernible movement radially (at right angles to the shaft) by pushing back and forth. Worn C-V joints would be my second choice for the culprit here.

Also check suspension support points for worn, or "mushed-out" bushings. Badly worn bushings can cause your symptoms; they would be my 3rd. choice.

Now, I've run out of obvious ideas; more experience than I have will be needed if above ideas fizzle out. imp

 

[USAF_Firefighter]

on my lifted 77 k5 blazer, (8 inches, 37" tires) i had the same problem, but what was going out on mine was the ujoint in the rear driveshaft where it mounts to the rear pumpkin. i know the differance between the two trucks are alot, but i had the same exact problem.... i hope it helps..

 

[dannym52fire]

from one fire fighter to another, thanks brother. ill see what i can do about this. every time i pull away from the front of my house to respond to a fire alarm, it irritates me that theres obviously something wrong, but i dont know what it is. thanks to imp also

 

[2003vstrom]

sounds like the friction plates need replaced, I bought a 2002 limited with 160,000 miles, looked new and was taken care and when I test drove it it would shutter when I would take off or go around corners, so I bought some mustang carbon fiber frictions plates from summit racing and friction modifier from ford, let them soak the carbon plates over night in the friction modifier and put it all back together and the shutter was all gone it was nice and smooth, but that fixed my truck yours might be the same problem or could be something different problem when I took my old plates out of the diff. you could see the chatter marks on the plates.