Tick, Tick, Tick....

[callfordandyell]

OK, 98 XLT AWD....making a ticking noise from what SEEMS like tge front drive shaft area. Almost like a troll is under there hitting it with a small screwdriver. It goes away after a bit of driving. (when engine temp is normal) Also...if I stand on the brake and accelerate the clicking continues. It does seem to go away at speeds over 25 mph....I just sent $1200 on the rear xfer case so I'm a bit nervous about any noises I hear,.,,,

 

[97BlackX5.0]

its your exhaust manfold... they crack in a very specific spot on these v8 trucks .... do a search for exhaust manifold or cracks and youll find pics and probably fix's.... by the way welcome to the board.... youve got one of the most reliable explorers as far as year and v8 go.... how many miles are on it and how long have you had it...

 

[callfordandyell]

I've had it for about 6 mos. It has 117k mles on it and has the 5.0 engine with a KandN flter attached to an air intake unit from a 98 Cobra....Thanks for the tip....

 

[callfordandyell]

OK, after a bit more....exploration, I found the following: It occurs once per wheel revolution...it does not happen in neutral or reverse. The fact that it does not happen in neutral leads me to believe it is not a mainfold issue.
I have looked to see if anything is rubbing the wheel and found nothing. The CV boots do not appear split or leaking......

 

[callfordandyell]

?

 

[glfredrick]

Check your wheel bearings... and/or the u-joints, and/or the small bearing that locates the axle shaft as it enters the rear of the spindle.

 

[callfordandyell]

The more I listen to it I think it's coming from the front drive line....can I safely disconnect the front drive shaft and still drive?.

 

[Heavymentill]

I had a bent rim once that caused a ticking. Rotated it to the back no more tick. May not be your problem but its worth a look

 

[97BlackX5.0]

could be when you put a load on the engine it torques the manifold and lets it leak a little .... other than that id say a rock or something stuck in the brakes

 

[callfordandyell]

....can I safely disconnect the front drive shaft and still drive?.

 

[glfredrick]

....can I safely disconnect the front drive shaft and still drive?.

Sure - Lots of guys run without a front driveshaft with no problems.

But I'm not exactly sure on the Explorers what happens with the control-trac feature. Someone else will have to chime in on that.

 

[callfordandyell]

Check your wheel bearings... and/or the u-joints, and/or the small bearing that locates the axle shaft as it enters the rear of the spindle.

Looks like it's the small bearing locator....can it be replaced or do I need a whole new drive shaft?

 

[callfordandyell]

OK, thanks for all the tips....I removed the front drive line today and the ticking is gone.....looks like I need a new drive line... .($300+) so it will be a 2wd for a bit. At least I'm in SoCal....who needs AWD here?

 

[5.0inprovo]

OK, thanks for all the tips....I removed the front drive line today and the ticking is gone.....looks like I need a new drive line... .($300+) so it will be a 2wd for a bit. At least I'm in SoCal....who needs AWD here?

Bumpity bumpity.
Did you every get this replaced? I have a similar clicking in the front end, but I am new to working on four wheel drive stuff. My clicking is just at a roll and seems to be more like a click every half rotation of the wheel. Goes away by 10 mph. Any ideas?

 

[5.0inprovo]

I guess he only subscribed for back then, anyone else have any ideas?
It sounds like a rock in an aluminum can, but only at a slow roll, like when I go through a drive through, or rolling out of my garage. It is gone as soon as I accelerate.

 

[monkeydude3]

Sounds to me like the CV joints are shot. In my experience that's generally how they behave, and act when going bad. not that expensive of a fix.

 

[5.0inprovo]

Sounds to me like the CV joints are shot. In my experience that's generally how they behave, and act when going bad. not that expensive of a fix.

Which joint would it most likely be? I am pretty new to working on AWD and have never worked with CV joints, U joints and everything. I am pretty capable and can figure most things out, but need to know where to start, and if there is a DIY link that would rock!

 

[5.0inprovo]

bump for a little help.

 

[JJLouis]

I have the same problem

I have the same problem. Once in a while, after braking, I'll hear an initial clunk sound, and then it makes the ticking until I accelerate to a certain speed and then it's gone.