clunking sound 96 explorer

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Jan 8, 2005 | 08:23 PM

G Campbell

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clunking sound 96 explorer

I am experencing a clunking sound coming from , what seems to be the rear-end of my 96 explorer 4x4. It is a limited slip diff. if that helps anyone out. It seems to be there when I start out,then it seems to disappear. Is there a quick fix or am I looking at big money.

Jan 10, 2005 | 02:29 AM

texan2004

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From: Friendswood, Texas

Check the universal joints in the drive shaft.

Jan 10, 2005 | 07:48 AM

2Mac

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I had clunking noise in what seemed like the rear end also!
I actually got down under it and had my wife put it into gear.
It was the U joint in the drive shaft that was pooched.
It was cheap to fix.
I would start there.

Jul 24, 2005 | 02:49 PM

mightypizu

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How'd you know that it was the u-joint? How do you tell if they are bad? I have a clunk but I was told my u-joints are ok and they seem fine to me.

Jul 24, 2005 | 08:10 PM

texan2004

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From: Friendswood, Texas

Put the vehicle in neutral and block the wheels (very important!!!!). It would be even bettere if you could raise the rear end to get the rear wheels off of the ground but it's not necessary. Crawl under the vehicle, grab the drive shaft and rotate by hand. U-joints should not have any play in them. If they do, they are bad.

Just a note - if they were checked with the vehicle in park (auotmatic) or while in gear (manual transmission), they may have been bound up and would not move. If the vehicle is left in neutral when checked, the driveline will have not static load on it and thus you can properly check the u-joints.

I would do all of this anyway to see if you can somehow duplicate the clunk while you are under there.

Good luck. Hope you find it.

Jul 27, 2005 | 06:07 AM

don96exp

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From: Bucks County, PA

Could also be the clutch pack grabbing in teh limited slip diff. Try changing the diff oil and addinf the limited slip additive. Good luck.

Jul 27, 2005 | 08:36 AM

pax

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Joined: May 2004

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The rear slip yoke may cause the clunk too. Just remove the two boot clamps and pump some grease in there.
The slip yoke is between the drive shaft and the Ujoints.