Howling Driveline
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New User
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 13
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Howling Driveline
I have a 96 aerostar all wheel drive extended, 4.0L. Lately there has been a howling from the drivetrain somewhere, it starts at about 35 mph and seems to get noiser as speed increases, and if going up a slight incline or any time power is applied to the wheels. When going down an incline or letting off of the throttle, it goes away. Both diffs are full of fluid. The front differential has about 1/8 turn of play when the driveshaft is turned. The rear diff is about 1/16 turn. I am thinking the front ring and pinion is shot. I have not really had to mess with any differentials yet, and wanted to hear what you guys thought before tearing out a front diff, as it looks like it is quite a job to do.
Elder User
Joined: Jul 2001
Posts: 510
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From: Portland, OR
Howling Driveline
Could be a wheel bearing in the front. These noises are hard to trace, I had a similar problem in my similar '93. Disconnect the drive shaft and check u-joints (pretty easy to do) and see how the joints feel. Ultimately, I pinpointed mine by jacking up front wheels, removed half-shaft and spun the wheel as hard as I could, then I coudl hear the noise in the bearing.
Mark
Mark
