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Strange Sounds That Scare Me!
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ericnail
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Jan 18, 2011, 10:57 AM
Post #1 of 8
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Strange Sounds That Scare Me!
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Hello,
I have a 1998 Ford Explorer which I have always babied and taken care of. I changed all of the fluids and had it serviced on the recommended dates with all of the recommended brands.
I am having an issue, however, with some strange noises now. Two weeks ago, the car started to make a strange, loud whining noise when going over 20MPH. I took the truck in to a Mr. Transmission (a highly recommended shop) and we found out that the noise was coming from the rear differential and the cause was not changing it's fluid, which he assured me was not a common thing people check. Anyway, he re-built the rear differential and when I got the car back, it was silent! No more noise... or so I thought.
Now, whenever I accelerate quickly (not quite flooring it, but a quick acceleration nonetheless) there is a loud thumping beneath my feet. In the recent snow (I live in the south), I was forced to use 4WD. Although it worked, going only 5MPH on 4WD was making the same loud thumping noise. After researching the issue for a while, all signs seem to point toward the transfer case.
In addition to the thumping, earlier this week, when in reverse backing out of a parking space, i heard an extremely loud sound that I can only describe as what running over a metal shopping cart might sound like. I freaked thinking I had hit something but when I got out to look, nothing! Well I kind of forgot about that... until today, when just like last time, I was backing out of a parking space and there it was again. I have absolutely no idea what this sound could be or if it has anything to do with the transfer case (assuming that's my issue). Once I hear the sound, I shift into park, then back into reverse and it seems fine again. I have absolutely no idea what this could be, as it's such an alarming, unnatural sound.
Unfortunately, to top it all off, I just started my second semester and I have to drive back and forth to college 5 days a week so taking my car to the shop right now would be a nightmare. I'm wondering that if it is in fact the transfer case, how long can I drive without repairing it? How urgent does this sound?
I would like to wait about a month or so until my next break so that I don't have to be anywhere when my car is in the shop. Also, does anyone know how long it usually takes to have a transfer case repaired? If it's not long I could have it done over a weekend I suppose.
Thanks for Any help!
(This post was edited by ericnail on Jan 18, 2011, 11:05 AM)
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Loren Champlain Sr
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/ Moderator
Jan 18, 2011, 6:21 PM
Post #2 of 8
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Re: Strange Sounds That Scare Me!
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eric; Could be something wrong in the differential, bad U-joint, ect....I'd get it back into the shop ASAP. Continued driving could make a small problem a big one.
Had one towed in, today. His original appt. was for a grinding noise in the rear end. He didn't make it. The nut on the pinion had come loose, the driveshaft fell out, and is going to need to replace the ring and pinion as a result of continued driving with a known noise. Bummer.
Loren
SW Washington
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ericnail
New User
Jan 19, 2011, 9:17 AM
Post #3 of 8
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Re: Strange Sounds That Scare Me!
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Hey Loren,
Thanks for your responce!
I forgot to mention, but, the thumping noise was occurring before we took the car in to repair the differential. I don't think it's the differential this time because he re-build a brand new one when I took it in.
Also, the noise isn't a steady grinding noise like what I heard with the old differential, it's more of a loud tapping and only when accelerating or in 4WD. However, the startling noise that I heard yesterday when backing up was more along the lines of running over some large metal object as it sounded loud, metallic, and felt like the car was running over something because it was jolting back and forth.
I also didn't mention that the car has 190,000 miles, but like I said, I took EXCELLENT care of this car. It's never had any kind of accidents, never driven in salt/sand. All the fluids were changed regularly, etc. The only thing I haven't been doing regularly is getting tune-ups because I was told cars these days don't need tune ups and I didn't really see the value.
I am worried that like you said a small problem might turn into a big one, however, other than aforementioned issues, she runs great. I always take off really slow just to be sure not to trigger the thumping noise, but I am worried that I might make it worse.
Like I said I am in college and I need it for transportation, and unfortunately, I'm only 19 so I am too young to rent a car for the time it would be in the shop. I'm really in a pickle here!
Thanks Again,
~ Eric
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Loren Champlain Sr
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/ Moderator
Jan 19, 2011, 5:55 PM
Post #4 of 8
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Re: Strange Sounds That Scare Me!
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Eric; Is the noise you are hearing only when in 4X4? If so, it is normal to hear and feel a 'bind' when turning too sharp on bare, dry, pavement. Otherwise, you could be looking at a U-joint or transfer case issue. Again, I'd get it checked sooner, than later. Do you have the push-button 4X4 on the dash? I've had several customers that inadvertantly hit the 4X4 button when shifting from P to D, without realizing it. Just a wild thought.
Loren
SW Washington
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ericnail
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Jan 27, 2011, 11:20 AM
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Re: Strange Sounds That Scare Me!
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Eric; Is the noise you are hearing only when in 4X4? If so, it is normal to hear and feel a 'bind' when turning too sharp on bare, dry, pavement. Otherwise, you could be looking at a U-joint or transfer case issue. Again, I'd get it checked sooner, than later. Do you have the push-button 4X4 on the dash? I've had several customers that inadvertantly hit the 4X4 button when shifting from P to D, without realizing it. Just a wild thought.
Hey, Sorry it took so long to respond!
It always makes the noise while in 4WD, but it also makes the noise when accelerating quickly. I was thinking it was a transfer case as well.
I have a 2002 Dodge Pickup and it never makes that noise when it's in 4WD (although you can feel it 'Hugging' to the road more tightly). As far as the switch location, it's located to the right of the steering wheel. It's close, but not close enough that I would hit it. Also, the switch is a knob that turns from Auto to 4WD Hi to 4WD Lo.
If this is a transfer case issue, how long do you think it can last? until march?
Another symptom I noticed; I've started parking it inside the garage and over the past 2 weeks or so a small (a diameter of about 6") darkened circle has formed from transmission slowly leaking out, which makes me worry even more !!
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Loren Champlain Sr
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Jan 28, 2011, 6:11 PM
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Re: Strange Sounds That Scare Me!
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>>If this is a transfer case issue, how long do you think it can last? until march? <<
eric; Even if we knew what the problem was, that's a question no one can answer.... Keep a close eye on the fluid level, if you have a leak. Have you checked the condition of the transmission and transfer-case fluids? Let me know if you find the transfer case is OVER full.
Loren
SW Washington
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ericnail
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Jan 31, 2011, 9:33 AM
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Well, it's above the checkered line and it appears to be leaking more each day. I'm planning on filling it as soon as it gets flush with the checkered line. It might be over full, is that a bad thing?
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Tom Greenleaf
Ultimate Carjunky
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Feb 2, 2011, 8:40 AM
Post #8 of 8
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Auto trans being a tad overfull shouldn't cause an issue - a quart or more overfilled would. Remember that dipstick with typical cross hatch area is by the pint not quart like engine oil generally is,
T
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