intermitant ratching sound

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Mar 1, 2009 | 07:49 PM

paulsextra

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intermitant ratching sound

1990 bronco, manaul trans, about 1 out of 10 times when i drive it i hear a ratching sound. seems to be louder sometimes than others. sometimes i only hear it when driving by a building or something to reflect sound. one time it happened i pushed in the clutch no change, shifted to nuetral, no change. came to complete stop and started again and noise was gone. the truck has manual transfer case and automatic hubs. thanks for any help.

Mar 2, 2009 | 07:27 AM

alxsnmr

Fleet Mechanic

Joined: Mar 2005

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From: St Louis

check to make sure the auto hubs are disengaged. Sometimes they stick and make some very strange noises.

Mar 2, 2009 | 10:28 AM

Kemicalburns

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From: Bend,OR

i would also pull the rear diff cover and inspect the spider gears. if there is an LS out back its possible that its worn out and your spider gears are causing this. probably could use new fluid anyway if you have never drained the rear diff.

Mar 2, 2009 | 06:17 PM

paulsextra

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i do think its probably the hubs. how do check to be sure they are disengaged. should i jack it and spin the tires.

Mar 2, 2009 | 06:31 PM

big bad 79 bronco

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yea do that also check the front axel shaft u-joints make sure there not worn

Mar 2, 2009 | 07:58 PM

helirich

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If his hubs are not engaged, and hes in two wheel drive, the u-joints are not the culprit. My vote is the hubs.

Mar 3, 2009 | 06:23 PM

paulsextra

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if the hubs are sticking, what is the fix.

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Mar 4, 2009 | 10:42 AM

Kemicalburns

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From: Bend,OR

auto hubs are junk and should be swapped.

Paulsextra, get a haynes manual and perform the maintanence in the book.

Mar 5, 2009 | 01:50 AM

#10

paulsextra

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the auto hubs are factory. i will look in to manual hubs. thanks for the help.

Mar 5, 2009 | 03:01 AM

#11

Packrat Super duty

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From: Edson Ab. Canada

How long has this been going on?

My old 78 Bronco had a simalar sound, turned out to be the CV joint on the rear drive shaft. When it first started to go, it was a clicking noise, came and went, then one day I decided to check underneath. .. (The clicking had increased in frequency). Turned out the CV was ready to fall apart. It was completely shot, but the u joints on either side of it were in good shape..... That was all that was keeping it together.
Just my 2 cents worth.