1998 Ford Explorer drive train noise only during hard accel

1998 FORD EXPLORER
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JOHN.D
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Drive Train Axles Bearings problem
1998 Ford Explorer 6 cyl Four Wheel Drive Automatic 150K miles

My explorer sport 4x4 with SOHC eng. has been ok till around 100k it started to make a low level clunk-clunk noise when driving up steep hills at a siow speed. Giving it more gas just made the sound worse. It will also make the noise when accelerating quickly from a complete stop. Besides the noise you can also feel it in the ride, what I woud describe as a wheel loosing traction or slipping. I can't really tell if it is coming from the rear or the front. The noise seems to not allways occur and does not seem to occur when in 4 wheel drive. The trans. shifts smoothly and the eng. runs fine. I had the tran.fluid and front and rear diff. fluids changed @ 120k. Problem doesnot seem to be getting any worse. Is there any chance it could be the limited slip diff. clutches ?
Jul 2, 2010 at 2:12 PM
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JACOBANDNICKOLAS
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If it goes away in 4wd, I would say it's from the rear. Have you checked the u-joints? Also, have you checked motor mounts and trans mounts?

Let me know.
Joe
Jul 2, 2010 at 7:59 PM