Still Thunkin'

[Diggity UW99]

I wrote a post the other day regarding a thunking sound in my 94 Sport every time I come to a complete stop. Most of the replies as well as the searches I did turned up worn radius arm bushings. I went ahead and had those replaced at Les Schwab today but the problem is still there. It turns out that it was about time they were replaced but I still get the thunk when I stop. Not really loud but definetly feels like something is loose somewhere. Could there be a problem with the rearend or something...maybe a little worn and have too much slack in the gears? Any help would be appreciated. Thanks a lot!


Dan

 

[Positive Vibes]

Did he check your ball joints?

 

[Robert]

I'm not too familiar with the '94 and earlier Explorers but I do know the '95 and up will make a thump when coming to a complete stop when the front driveshaft slip joint needs lubricated. It binds up while you are driving and then relieves its energy when you stop. The result is a feeling like someone lightly tapped you from behind just as you stop.

 

[Diggity UW99]

Positive Vibes: I am not sure if he checked the ball joints or not. The place that told me my Radius Arm Bushings were worn didn't say anything and Les Schwab didn't say anything regarding the ball jonts.

Robert: What I am experiencing could be that...I would say that it is more like something is actually moving forward underneath the car though every time I stop.

Also, if I come to a gradual stop...especially on a hill or something. Sometimes the thunk won't occur until after I let off the brakes.

Thanks for the replys though. I will check the front and rear drive shafts this weekend though. If you guys get any other ideas let me know.

Dan

 

[stang108]

hey i know this one
I have a 94 explorer and I had the same thunk
It is your driveshaft yolk slide.. take the boot back off the driveshaft and lube up the yolk slide with wheel bearing grease
bet ya it goes away

 

[88vert]

i agree with Stang108 I grease mine up once a year with a mixture of antisieze and moly grease works like a charm

 

[Diggity UW99]

Cool!! Thanks a lot!!! I will try that a little later this week when I go to my dad's and have access to more tools. Did you have this same problem?? Again, thanks for the help and I'll let you know how it worked.

Dan

 

[88vert]

Mine used to make the same thud right after making a stop,just drop the shaft in the back and pull them apart grease it up then cable tie the boot back on,make sure you mark the shaft,so you put it back the same way it came off

 

[Diggity UW99]

How easy is it to drop the rear driveshaft?? I did it once on a 1 ton Chevy to reseal a transfer case but that was like 4 or 5 years ago. Any tricks on this one or is it pretty straightforward. Thanks

Dan

 

[Diggity UW99]

Oops, I almost forgot. Does it matter if I remove the drive shaft from the T-case side or the differential side?? Also, once the u-joint is removed will the shaft just slide out of the slip joint?

Dan

 

[88vert]

You can take out either side,and it is very straightforward,after you drop one side the shaft will just slide out

 

[Robert]

Diggity UW99 - Your slip joint is on the front of your rear driveshaft. You remove the rear of your driveshaft where it bolts up to the differential flange. You will need to remove the rubber boot and slide the driveshaft out of the hole. Smear some grease all over the splined end and put it back together.

 

[Diggity UW99]

Oh, I thought there was a slip joint on each driveshaft. I have a rubber boot on both the front and rear driveshafts. I don't know if the older explorers are different from the 95 and up. So is my thunk actually coming from the front driveshaft? Sorry I have so many questions, I'm kinda new to the explorer page.

Dan

 

[Robert]

Sorry, I got distracted here at work (I have a really hot Temporary filling in for my regular assistant). Anyway, the slip joint is on the front of your rear driveshaft. Drop the rear of the driveshaft from your rear differential and pull it out of the hole. The front (at least on the '95 and up) doesn't use a slip-joint on the front driveshaft since the differential and transfer case are bolted to the frame. Since they don't move in relation to each other, the driveshaft doesn't need to slip. Since the rear differential goes up and down, the driveshaft needs to slip in and out to allow for the movement. Sorry for the confusion.

I do not know how your '94 driveshaft is since your front suspension is different than the '95 and up. You might have a slip joint on your front also.

 

[GenerationX]

If that doesn't help, I have seen where shock mount bushings wear out and make a thunking sound against your bolts ( I have a 87 F150). Just an idea if you have super old shocks

G

 

[Diggity UW99]

Ok, I see what you are saying now. But I think there is a slip joint in the front also on the 91-94 explorers. Thanks for all the help. I sure hope this will cure the problem.

Dan

 

[Robert]

If the front differential moves up and down then there would be a slip joint on the front driveshaft as well. I think the TTB does move up and down as opposed to my '97 differential which is bolted to my frame. The axles do all the moving on mine through the CV joints.