'98 Explorer Loud DriveTrain Noise
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Tuned
Joined: Jun 2003
Posts: 295
Likes: 1
From: poughkeepsie ny
'98 Explorer Loud DriveTrain Noise
Hey. folks. I'm working on a '98 Explorer, 5 liter, AWD. There is a loud 'clanking' noise coming from the front driver side area when driving, independent of load. Frequency of the 'clank' increases as speed does.
I removed the front drive shaft, put 'er down and drove (effectively in 2WD) and things were as quiet as could be. I'm tempted to assume the shaft is the problem and just replace it, but these things run ~$150 at the bone yard and there's no refund if that turns out not to be the problem. In addition, there's no play whatsoever (when twisting by hand, anyway) in the U-joint, and just a smidge in the "ball and cage" slip yoke thing on the other end.
Is it possible this noise might be coming from the trans. case (or front diff. for that matter)? I actually crawled under there while all 4 wheels were off the ground spinning to try and locate the source, but things were so damn loud I couldn't tell.
I removed the front drive shaft, put 'er down and drove (effectively in 2WD) and things were as quiet as could be. I'm tempted to assume the shaft is the problem and just replace it, but these things run ~$150 at the bone yard and there's no refund if that turns out not to be the problem. In addition, there's no play whatsoever (when twisting by hand, anyway) in the U-joint, and just a smidge in the "ball and cage" slip yoke thing on the other end.
Is it possible this noise might be coming from the trans. case (or front diff. for that matter)? I actually crawled under there while all 4 wheels were off the ground spinning to try and locate the source, but things were so damn loud I couldn't tell.
Logistics Pro
Joined: Jun 2009
Posts: 4,817
Likes: 83
From: Cedar Rapids, IA
Not too uncommon for the transfer case to cause a loud banging noise when the begin to fail. Before I learned this was a relatively common issue I helped a co-worker troubleshoot a loud popping noise under light acceleration and typically when going up a slight incline. I hung several ChassisEar microphones in various locations under the chassis, some on exhaust, some on transmission mount, some on transfer case, and also on transmission. The noise was clearly loudest on the transfer case, so we repositioned more on the TC in various locations and the ones nearest the center were loudest so we trusted it was the TC rather than a driveshaft or differential issue. He bought a used TC, replaced it, and the noise was gone.
Prior to trying the ChassisEar he had removed the front driveshaft and the noise was gone.
-Rod
Prior to trying the ChassisEar he had removed the front driveshaft and the noise was gone.
-Rod
Thread Starter
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Tuned
Joined: Jun 2003
Posts: 295
Likes: 1
From: poughkeepsie ny
Thanks for the informative reply, Rod. The parts guy at Ford almost had me convinced the shaft was the cause, but it's it's nice to have a counterpoint on the issue. I've never heard of ChassisEar, or knew anything like that existed even. Doesn't look like it comes cheap, but definitely is something helpful to have...
Logistics Pro
Joined: Jun 2009
Posts: 4,817
Likes: 83
From: Cedar Rapids, IA
I picked mine up, in like-new condition, from eBay for around $40. Mine is the wired version, not the wireless. But, fortunately I was shopping for one when I didn't need it so I was able to wait for the right deal. There might be a shop near you that has one, but I'm not sure what to expect for a diagnostic fee to connect it and go for a drive.
-Rod
-Rod
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