1998 Ford Explorer

GENNYTOE

MEMBER
1998 FORD EXPLORER
6 CYL
4WD
AUTOMATIC
180,000 MILES

Metal grinding&scraping very loudly, sounds like its coming thru floorboards. NOT the brakes, all new, installed correctly. Noise sounds like coming from mid-left of undercarraige.I have no idea what is under there, so I don't know what to look for.

Thursday, August 5th, 2010 AT 9:03 PM

7 Replies

JACOBANDNICKOLAS

MECHANIC
109,885 POSTS

The transmission and transfer case are in the middle. Let me ask you a question. Does it make the sound all the time? Does the sound ever change. For example, when you make turns or accellerate?

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Saturday, August 7th, 2010 AT 11:46 PM

GENNYTOE

MEMBER
6 POSTS

The sound gets louder when accellerating, sounds like metal crunching

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Sunday, August 8th, 2010 AT 2:43 PM

JACOBANDNICKOLAS

MECHANIC
109,885 POSTS

First, I'm sorry for all the questions. If I could actually hear it, it would make things much easier. However, I'm most likely a thousand miles from you.

Based on your description, I need you to check a few things. Start with the universal joints. Also, check to see if there is any play in the pinion bearing (rear of the driveshaft where it connects to the differential).

Let me know what you find.

Joe

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Monday, August 9th, 2010 AT 12:51 AM

GENNYTOE

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6 POSTS

Everything visible seems to be tight with no play

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Monday, August 9th, 2010 AT 4:27 PM

JACOBANDNICKOLAS

MECHANIC
109,885 POSTS

When checking, was the vehicle in neutral so there was no tension on the drive shaft? If it was, then you either have a pinion bearing or axle bearing going bad. The only way to check is if there is excessive play in there rear wheels (when jacked up) or take the differential cover off and check for excessive play.