Clicking time bomb
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Clicking time bomb
I have a 2002 explorer. Have a clicking in the axles and can't find what is causing it. I have take the wheels off, put on jack stands and spun the axles but cannot duplicate. It happens on all four wheels no matter if I am turning or going straight. Have heard other explorers driving down road with same sounds. Wife thinks wheels are going to falls off some day. Anyone else have similar noises. Thanks
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Clicking time bomb
Clikcing only happens when vehicle is moving slow, like when you first take off from a stop. I doesn't change pitch at any time. Front and Rear diffentials are full of fluid and axle boots are clean with no sign of rips or tears. The only thing I have not checked is the drive shaft u-joints. Any idea's Signed Baffled
Logistics Pro
Joined: Jun 2009
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From: Cedar Rapids, IA
So the noise is not speed-dependent? It starts making noise when the vehicle is moving but the noise doesn't change as long as the vehicle is moving, regardless of accelerating, coasting, speeding up, or slowing down? If that's the case, that rules out u-joints or anything else in the drivetrain.
-Rod
-Rod
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Postmaster
Joined: Jan 2009
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From: Chesapeake, Va.
If the noise IS speed related and is the U joints you will start to feel some vibration in the floor or seat while driving.
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From: Horseheads NY
I had a creeching noise in my AWD Mountaineer once and it was the transfer case. It would only make the noise at very low speeds, like 5 mph. I changed the fluid and it went away. But its wasn't a "clicking" noise. What about the prop shaft, the one that goes from the transfer case to the front differential? Do those have a CV joint at one end and a u-joint at the other???
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Joined: Jan 2009
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From: Chesapeake, Va.
Clikcing only happens when vehicle is moving slow, like when you first take off from a stop. I doesn't change pitch at any time. Front and Rear diffentials are full of fluid and axle boots are clean with no sign of rips or tears. The only thing I have not checked is the drive shaft u-joints. Any idea's Signed Baffled
Is the clicking sound at the 4 corners? Or just a general everywhere sound? We had a problem with a clicking noise on my son's Mountaineer and it turned out to be the chain in the transfer case rubbing on one of the gear shafts of the planetary gear set. Caught it before the damage was great. You might have to get all 4 wheels in the air and simulate driving it to get the noise to appear and actually locate it.
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Clicking time bomb
Thank you for the reply. It's funny you say to get all four off the ground, I put truck on jack stands at all four corners, took off tires to get hear better, put truck in gear and let axles spin at idle, no clicking heard. Shut off motor and spun axles by hand still heard nothing. Put tires back on, pulled out on street and immediately heard cliking noise. (yes I have checked for rocks in tires). Here is my question to anyone. Would thedriveshaft u-joints cause this problem? It seems to be the only thing I have not taken apart. Thank You for your responses
Senior User
Joined: May 2009
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From: Horseheads NY
It could be u-joints. but with it off the ground you should have been able to feel play in the joints. When you had it on the jack stands, you should have left the tires on it. It obviously has to have some weight against it. Have you been able to tell where the noise is???
Postmaster
Joined: Jan 2009
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From: Chesapeake, Va.
Thank you for the reply. It's funny you say to get all four off the ground, I put truck on jack stands at all four corners, took off tires to get hear better, put truck in gear and let axles spin at idle, no clicking heard. Shut off motor and spun axles by hand still heard nothing. Put tires back on, pulled out on street and immediately heard cliking noise. (yes I have checked for rocks in tires). Here is my question to anyone. Would thedriveshaft u-joints cause this problem? It seems to be the only thing I have not taken apart. Thank You for your responses
Cross-Country
Joined: Feb 2004
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try hooking a nylon strap to your hitch and secure it to something strong like a tree on soft dirt or grass, and tighten up the slack and give is a little gas. if you hear the clicking and the wheels aren't turning most likely your transfer case. thats how I found the problem on my 97 explorer, it was the transfer case.
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