Violent Grinding Noise in Drive but not Reverse

[zmaster725]

Hello Everyone,

I have a 1997 Ford Explorer Sport 4x4 that has recently started making a grinding noise from the general vicinity of the Transfer Case or Transmission(It is in the Middle of the Underside regardless). If in Idle and I keep my foot on the brake and just slowly move around it is fine but if you get between 5-10mph it starts grinding and violently moving the truck. This problem only exists in drive, I can go as fast as I want in Reverse. I have checked the U-joints and all seems to be fine. Does anyone have any suggestions before I send it to an expensive shop.

 

[zmaster725]

Grinding noise In Drive but Not Reverse

I have a 1997 Ford Explorer Sport 4x4 that has recently started making a grinding noise from the general vicinity of the Transfer Case or Transmission(It is in the Middle of the Underside regardless). If in Idle and I keep my foot on the brake and just slowly move around it is fine but if you get between 5-10mph it starts grinding and violently moving the truck. This problem only exists in drive, I can go as fast as I want in Reverse. I have checked the U-joints and all seems to be fine. Does anyone have any suggestions before I send it to an expensive shop.

 

[DoraThe_Explorer]

Did you check the transmission and transfer case fluid for metal shavings?

Also, when I picked up my current explorer the owner before me loaded up the caliper bolts with anti-sieze grease. Within a month of cruising around town one of them had backed itself out and caused the caliper to rub on the rotor when I was in reverse. Even though you said the sound is coming from the center of your truck it can't hurt to take a quick look.

 

[Rick]

That's a new one on me...

I would get under there and check the driveshafts for bad u-joints. That'a about the only obvious thing I can think of that can be checked outside of the transfer case and tranny...

 

[FR-425]

That is a new one;

Never fear!

Sounds like a front brake issue.

Caliper bracket busted or caliper bolt came out.

In one direction (reverse) the caliper just falls in place; go forward and the drag of the rotor pulls it up and against the wheel.

Just a theory, but quite possible.

The caliper bolts can also back out and hit the a-arm. If this has happened replace the bolts with new ones and use loctite.

Time to pull the fronts off for a close look.

Take a look at this thread to see what I mean:
http://www.explorerforum.com/forums/showthread.php?t=192818

 

[zmaster725]

I will give it a look, it is definitely worth looking into. When the noise starts, now that I think about it the truck does start to stop and bog down in the front. Might actually make sense to be the brakes.

 

[zmaster725]

I will give it a look, it is definitely worth looking into. When the noise starts, now that I think about it the truck does start to stop and bog down in the front. Might actually make sense to be the brakes.

 

[NICE59FORDF100]

I merged these two threads and moved to the transmission forum. Thanks for the post!

 

[zmaster725]

I plan on tearing into this this coming weekend. If I find nothing wrong with the brakes, where should I go next? Would something in the transfer case cause this such as a shift motor, stretched chain? The brakes will be an easy fix if that's the problem but if not I have no idea what to target next.

 

[zmaster725]

That is a new one;

Never fear!

Sounds like a front brake issue.

Caliper bracket busted or caliper bolt came out.

In one direction (reverse) the caliper just falls in place; go forward and the drag of the rotor pulls it up and against the wheel.

Just a theory, but quite possible.

The caliper bolts can also back out and hit the a-arm. If this has happened replace the bolts with new ones and use loctite.

Time to pull the fronts off for a close look.

Take a look at this thread to see what I mean:
http://www.explorerforum.com/forums/showthread.php?t=192818

Well, it wasn't anything to do with the brakes.I took no chance and went ahead and rebuilt both side. I'm after the u-joints next even though they look ok.

 

[zmaster725]

Just an update, now I know brakes are not the problem nor are the drive shafts. I took the truck for a drive once again and the noise has not changed. Still have a noise that sounds like it keeps slipping out of gear. The noise only goes away once I put it in neutral, maybe I'm wrong but that makes me think transfer case since it has a chain inside.

 

[FR-425]

Like we said; That's a new one.

Does it still grind and shake in neutral when rolling?

 

[zmaster725]

Like we said; That's a new one.

Does it still grind and shake in neutral when rolling?

No sir, I talked to a mechanic(GM) and he wants me to jack up the rear end and put it on stands and put it in drive to see exactly where its coming from. He mentioned possibly a wheel bearing but I don't see how when it doesn't do it neutral since the bearing would still be turning. I am still leaning towards transfer case. The nice weather has gone and I cant dig back into it til this weekend, luckily the mechanic will be here to help.

 

[Explorer0204]

No sir, I talked to a mechanic(GM) and he wants me to jack up the rear end and put it on stands and put it in drive to see exactly where its coming from. He mentioned possibly a wheel bearing but I don't see how when it doesn't do it neutral since the bearing would still be turning. I am still leaning towards transfer case. The nice weather has gone and I cant dig back into it til this weekend, luckily the mechanic will be here to help.

Does the sport have auto 4x4? If it does you CANT DO THAT. I don't think they did though...

Good idea to do that if you can.. If it is auto 4x4 remove the front driveshaft and then do as the mechanic recommends

 

[zmaster725]

Does the sport have auto 4x4? If it does you CANT DO THAT. I don't think they did though...

Good idea to do that if you can.. If it is auto 4x4 remove the front driveshaft and then do as the mechanic recommends

It is auto 4x4, the Front Driveshaft is already out. I took it out to have new U-joints put in.

 

[Explorer0204]

It is auto 4x4, the Front Driveshaft is already out. I took it out to have new U-joints put in.

Gotcha. Definitely put the rear of Jacks tanks and do that. Then get back to is

 

[zmaster725]

OK, newest development. I jacked up the rear, put the jack stands under it and chocked the front wheels. I slowly let off the brake when in drive, no noise at idle. No noise at 1500 RPM, nor at 2,000 RPM. I let it down and drove up and down my drive for a few minutes somewhere around .25 mile. Then it did it around 1500 RPM with all 4 tires on the ground. Brought it back to the garage, jacked it up again to have it once again not make the noise or bind itself up. I am at my wits end with this.

 

[zmaster725]

Finally figured it out. TRANSFER CASE! After messing with it forever I finally got smart enough to put it in 4 low since its essentially direct drive. No noise at all, go back to 4 high or 2wd and it happened again. Going to pick a part to get a used case for $90. I will take the old one apart and try to post pictures on here as to what internally went wrong.

 

[Explorer0204]

Finally figured it out. TRANSFER CASE! After messing with it forever I finally got smart enough to put it in 4 low since its essentially direct drive. No noise at all, go back to 4 high or 2wd and it happened again. Going to pick a part to get a used case for $90. I will take the old one apart and try to post pictures on here as to what internally went wrong.

God I should have thought of that! Glad to see ya got it figured out man