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Clunking sound when I drive.

Sent to Car Experts July 11, 2005 2:36 p.m.

I started hearing a clunking sound on my 1997 ford expedition. I took it in to check out my rear differential, I was told there is nothing wrong. So I took it in to check my u-joints, and also was told they were fine. They both said that they don't hear any sounds. But when i jack up the rear end and give it some gas you can defidently can hear the noise. I thought the noise was in the rear but I guess it's in the front, probably the vibration makes it sound like in the rear. I only hear the noise when my tires accelerate and deaccelerate. HELP!

Customer (name blocked for privacy)

Status: Closed Value: $5

Answer
July 11, 2005 6:57 p.m. (4 hours and 21 minutes later)

REPLIED

You can't check it that way. That sound is normal because the wheels are not turning at the exact same speed which causes the spider gears to engage and they are normally noisey under those circumstances. On the highway the wheels rotate at exactly the same speed so the spider gears are idle and not moving at all..

Hammer Time -- L1 Master Technician -- 98% Positive Feedback on 2710 Car Accepts
ASE Mastertech with Adv level Engine performance cert.

Reply to Hammer Time
Sent July 11, 2005 7:18 p.m. (20 minutes and 46 seconds later)

Even if the truck is not jacked and just driving on surface streets, it makes that sound! Could it be my gears in the front, or something like that?

Customer (name blocked for privacy)

Answer
July 11, 2005 8:06 p.m. (47 minutes and 51 seconds later)

REPLIED

It can be many things. It can be a bad wheel bearing. It can be cupped up tires causing road noise or the mechanics could be right and it's normal. When you get on a quiet flat road and hear the noise, try swerving side to side to see if that changes the noise. That's loading and unloading different wheels and will bring out anything that is wheel specific.

Hammer Time -- L1 Master Technician -- 98% Positive Feedback on 2710 Car Accepts
ASE Mastertech with Adv level Engine performance cert.

Reply to Hammer Time
Sent July 12, 2005 11:41 a.m. (15 hours and 34 minutes later)

Let's say it's the wheel bearings, what type of indications would let me know if that is the problem? Also I will try the flat road thing that you suggested. Would anything have to do that, I recently put bigger tires & wheel adapters on my truck? If you didn't know that my truck is raised but I do not go off roading, all surface streets. My truck hasn't lost any power nor feel any different besides that clanking noise. Tell me your thoughts!! Thanks...

Shawn

Customer (name blocked for privacy)

Answer
July 12, 2005 3:51 p.m. (4 hours and 10 minutes later)

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Hammer Time -- L1 Master Technician -- 98% Positive Feedback on 2710 Car Accepts
ASE Mastertech with Adv level Engine performance cert.

Reply
Sent July 12, 2005 3:54 p.m. (3 minutes and 25 seconds later)

I've had big tires since last november. I recently went from 35 to 37's at the end of may. So what types of indications would let me know if the ball joints are out?

Customer (name blocked for privacy)

Answer
July 12, 2005 6:40 p.m. (2 hours and 45 minutes later)

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Hammer Time -- L1 Master Technician -- 98% Positive Feedback on 2710 Car Accepts
ASE Mastertech with Adv level Engine performance cert.

Reply
Sent July 12, 2005 6:42 p.m. (2 minutes and 51 seconds later)

If the ball joints are all ok then what next should I check?

Shawn

Customer (name blocked for privacy)

Answer
July 12, 2005 6:52 p.m. (9 minutes and 59 seconds later)

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Hammer Time -- L1 Master Technician -- 98% Positive Feedback on 2710 Car Accepts
ASE Mastertech with Adv level Engine performance cert.

Reply
Sent July 12, 2005 7:06 p.m. (13 minutes and 8 seconds later)

ok, let's say your driving your truck and your hearing a clatter sound beneith you. No loss of power eveything seems to be working same as normal. What are the top three things that you would check first. Actually the sound sounds like ta dink dink. As you go faster it goes faster & as you go slower it goes slower. Tell me what you would do!! Thanks

Shawn

Customer (name blocked for privacy)

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