Clunking

2002 FORD EXPLORER
223,000 MILES • 4.0L • V6 • 4WD • AUTOMATIC
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TMCINTOSH11
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Just recently I noticed when slowing down I would feel a repeated clunking, I would not hear anything and it does not affect the performance at all, it still shifts and accelerates just fine. No lights are on or flashing, it does it with o/d on or off, and with the air conditioner on or off. I hope it is not the transmission going out, I cannot check the transmission fluid because it is one of those maintenance free transmission. I do not know if the differential fluid needs changed or if that would have anything to do with it. Any ideas would be greatly appreciated, Thanks.
Aug 11, 2016 at 2:21 PM
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SATURNTECH9
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Is it coming from the rear end?Has it been a really long time since the rear end fluid has been changed?
Aug 11, 2016 at 4:33 PM
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TMCINTOSH11
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I cannot really tell were it is coming from, it is like running over small bumps in the road repeatedly, it makes the truck jerk slightly, as for the rear differential fluid I am not sure, I have had front wheel drive cars all my life, this is the first rear wheel drive/four wheel drive vehicle I have had, I am not even sure when I am supposed to change it. If I had to guess I would say it probably needs changed.
Aug 12, 2016 at 5:09 AM
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SATURNTECH9
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You change the fluid every 50,000 miles when the fluid gets moisture and age it can cause clunking in the rear end. The first thing you need to do is see if it is the rear end.
Aug 12, 2016 at 7:09 AM
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TMCINTOSH11
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Okay, and is there a front differential that needs changed? If so I will change both and see if that helps the problem. I am just afraid it is the transmission because I do not know how to check it.
Aug 12, 2016 at 7:45 AM
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SATURNTECH9
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If you have four wheel drive yes there is a front one also.Make sure you call Ford because there are different rear ends and front ends that need different fluid and a additive.
Aug 12, 2016 at 12:10 PM
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TMCINTOSH11
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Ok, I was wondering what type to use, do you think since its got some mileage on it and god knows if it's ever been changed if I should get some lucas for it?
Aug 12, 2016 at 1:58 PM
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CJ MEDEVAC
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Have you checked the u-joints on either end of the drive shaft?

Gonna leave you a few pics,

1-2) a pump you can get for $5-$7 at a parts store to make it ez-ier to install the fluid (disregard the type I'm using SATURNTECH9 will tell you what you need)

3-4) checking a u-joint, chock wheels, put it in neutral

I'll let y'all continue!

The Medic
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Aug 12, 2016 at 3:15 PM
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TMCINTOSH11
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The u-joints were one thing I thought about, thanks for the images, I'm new to the 4wd drivetrain, hopefully it one of the two, I got kinda confused thought, I asked a ford dealership what type of differential fluid to use and he asked for the last 8 digits of the vin and looked it up and told me to use 80-90 on both front and rear, but autozone's computer recommended a different type, which do you think I should use? And should it be synthetic limited slip? Thanks.
Aug 12, 2016 at 5:07 PM
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SATURNTECH9
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I would go with what Ford tells you also you need to ask Ford if you need to add there additive for limited slip for the front or the rear.Also I use Valvoline synthetic gear oil when I change rear end fluid.Usually when a u joint is that bad it will make noise when putting it in drive with your foot on the brake.But check the u joints.
Aug 12, 2016 at 6:57 PM
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TMCINTOSH11
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Got ya, thanks for your help, I'll let you know what I find out.
Aug 13, 2016 at 4:52 AM
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SATURNTECH9
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Sounds good you can use the Valvoline synthetic gear oil in front differential as well
Aug 13, 2016 at 7:17 AM
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TMCINTOSH11
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Looks like it's the rear u-joint, it has some play in it, it should be an easy job, if I can unbolt the yoke from the rear axle that is, but if all goes well it's gonna save me $$$$$$$$$ in labor, I'll just have to get the drive shaft rebalanced.
Aug 16, 2016 at 5:34 AM
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SATURNTECH9
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Glad you found it I would still replace the fluid as well just for maintenance.
Aug 16, 2016 at 5:55 AM
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TMCINTOSH11
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Oh I am, I may even change the transfer case fluid too while its warm weather, do you think the u-joints will last about a week when I get the parts? It's only been like this for about a week. I don't drive it a lot and when I do its only to work and the store, my work is about 5-6 miles. I don't do any highway travel either.
Aug 16, 2016 at 6:05 AM
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SATURNTECH9
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If there isn't too much play in it I would think it could last especially if you don't drive much.
Aug 16, 2016 at 6:12 AM
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TMCINTOSH11
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Ok, thanks for all your help, I'll let you know how it goes.
Aug 16, 2016 at 6:22 AM
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SATURNTECH9
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Your welcome sounds good
Aug 16, 2016 at 7:44 AM
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TMCINTOSH11
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I called around some places and a standard u -joint is $16.00 ???? ???? loving that, but one thing Im confused on is how many I need to replace, I was figuring two (one at the rear axle and one towards the tranny) like on a ford ranger, but meineke said I would typically only have to replace the one at the rear axle, and napa told me that they could be pressed on to were a shop would have to take em off, what do you think?
Aug 16, 2016 at 1:37 PM
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SATURNTECH9
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I would replace both because of the mileage on the Vechile .Next question is your Vechile subject to salt and snow on the road?
Aug 16, 2016 at 1:53 PM
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TMCINTOSH11
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No, right now it's dry (except for a rain spell) I won't be seeing snow until around december or maybe January, I don't know how much snow and salt it drove over before I bought it, I was told the previous owner was a farmer, which is more than likely right because there was a lot of hay to clean out of the back. There is a good deal of rust on the yoke and rear axle tho.
Aug 16, 2016 at 2:32 PM
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SATURNTECH9
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You can press the joints in and out of of the drive line with a ball joint pressure.I have used that method before you can rent a ball joint Press at auto zone.
Aug 16, 2016 at 3:20 PM
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CJ MEDEVAC
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See my last answer and super awesome high quality pics I made in this one!

https://www.2carpros.com/questions/1996-ford-ranger-96-weird-crackling-sound-30mph

I sorta don't see the need to re-balance the driveshaft, unless you are gonna race that puppy!

Let us know when you are good to go!

The Medic
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Aug 16, 2016 at 3:21 PM
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SATURNTECH9
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I always mark how everything was lined up before I took it apart?
Aug 16, 2016 at 3:33 PM
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CJ MEDEVAC
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SAT-TEC

Good thing you are on here, I always get carried away assuming the other guy does what I do, keeping things straight, inspecting, and cleaning, I reckon that too is part of the fix.

I have a 'nuther couple of how to put parts back into their original positions.

The Medic
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Aug 16, 2016 at 3:50 PM