Symptom Chart - Driveline Noise/Vibration

WARNING: This page is about a different car, the 2005 Mercury Mountaineer and 2005 Ford Explorer. However, it is still accessible from the selected car via links, so may be relevant.

SYMPTOM CHART - DRIVELINE NOISE/VIBRATION

Condition	Possible Sources	Action
Axle howling or whine - front or rear axle	Axle lubricant low	CHECK the lubricant level. FILL the axle to specification.
	Axle housing damage	INSPECT the axle housing for damage. REPAIR or INSTALL a new axle as necessary. REFER to REAR DRIVE AXLE/DIFFERENTIAL - FORD 8.8-INCH RING GEAR for the rear axle or FRONT DRIVE AXLE/DIFFERENTIAL - DANA 30 for the front axle.
	Damaged or worn wheel bearings or axle bearings	CHECK for abnormal wheel bearing play or roughness. Refer to WHEEL BEARING CHECK . ADJUST or INSTALL new wheel bearings as necessary.
	Damaged or worn differential ring and pinion	INSPECT the ring and pinion ring for abnormal wear patterns or broken teeth. INSTALL a new ring and pinion as necessary. REFER to REAR DRIVE AXLE/DIFFERENTIAL - FORD 8.8-INCH RING GEAR for the rear axle or FRONT DRIVE AXLE/DIFFERENTIAL - DANA 30 for the front axle.
	Damaged or worn differential side or pinion bearings	CHECK for abnormal bearing play or roughness. INSTALL new bearings as necessary. REFER to REAR DRIVE AXLE/DIFFERENTIAL - FORD 8.8-INCH RING GEAR for the rear axle or FRONT DRIVE AXLE/DIFFERENTIAL - DANA 30 for the front axle.
	Damaged or worn differential side gears and pinion gears	DISASSEMBLE the differential carrier. INSPECT the side and pinion gears for abnormal wear patterns or broken teeth. INSTALL new gears as necessary. REFER to REAR DRIVE AXLE/DIFFERENTIAL - FORD 8.8-INCH RING GEAR for the rear axle or FRONT DRIVE AXLE/DIFFERENTIAL - DANA 30 for the front axle.
Driveline clunk - loud clunk when shifting from reverse to drive	Incorrect axle lubricant level	CHECK the lubricant level. FILL the axle to specification.
	Excessive backlash in the axle or transmission	CARRY OUT a total backlash check. REFER to REAR DRIVE AXLE/DIFFERENTIAL - FORD 8.8-INCH RING GEAR .
	Damaged or worn pinion bearings	CHECK for abnormal bearing play or roughness. INSTALL new bearings as necessary. REFER to REAR DRIVE AXLE/DIFFERENTIAL - FORD 8.8-INCH RING GEAR for the rear axle or FRONT DRIVE AXLE/DIFFERENTIAL - DANA 30 for the front axle.
	Damaged or worn universal joints (U-joints)	INSPECT the U-joints for wear or damage. INSTALL new U-joints as necessary. REFER to DRIVESHAFT .
	Loose suspension components	INSPECT the suspension for damage or wear. REPAIR or INSTALL new components as necessary.
	Broken powertrain mounts	INSPECT the powertrain mounts. INSTALL new mounts as necessary. Refer to ENGINE -- 4.0L SOHC or ENGINE -- 4.6L (2V) or AUTOMATIC TRANSAXLE/TRANSMISSION -- 5R55S .
	Idle speed too high	CHECK for the correct idle speed.
Driveline clunk - occurs as the vehicle starts to move forward following a stop	Worn or galled driveshaft slip-yoke splines	CLEAN and INSPECT the splines of the yoke for a worn or galled condition. INSTALL a new yoke as necessary. REFER to DRIVESHAFT .
	Worn or galled driveshaft and coupling shaft splines	CLEAN and INSPECT the splines of the driveshaft and coupling shaft for a worn or galled condition. INSTALL a new driveshaft assembly as necessary. REFER to DRIVESHAFT .
	Loose rear leaf spring U-bolts	CHECK the U-bolts for loose nuts. TIGHTEN to specification. REFER to REAR SUSPENSION .
Driveline clunk (FWD vehicles) - occurs during acceleration or from cruise to coast/deceleration	Damaged or worn inboard constant velocity (CV) joint	INSPECT the inboard CV joint and boot. REPAIR or INSTALL a new CV joint as necessary. REFER to FRONT DRIVE HALFSHAFTS for the front halfshafts or REAR DRIVE HALFSHAFTS for the rear halfshafts.
Driveline clunk (4WD vehicles) - occurs during shift-on-the-fly engagement	Clutch relay Shift motor Transfer case 4WD module	CHECK the 4WD engagement system. REPAIR or INSTALL new components as necessary. REFER to FOUR- WHEEL DRIVE SYSTEMS .
Clicking, popping or grinding - occurs while vehicle is turning	Inadequate or contaminated lubrication in the (CV) joints	CHECK the CV boots and joints for wear or damage. REPAIR or INSTALL new components as necessary. REFER to FRONT DRIVE HALFSHAFTS for the front halfshafts or REAR DRIVE HALFSHAFTS for the rear halfshafts.
	Another component contacting the halfshaft	CHECK the halfshafts and the area around the halfshafts. REPAIR as necessary.
	Brake components	INSPECT the front brakes for wear or damage. REPAIR as necessary. REFER to FRONT DISC BRAKE .
	Steering components	INSPECT the drag link, inner and outer tie rods or idler arm for wear or damage. REPAIR as necessary.
	Suspension components	INSPECT the upper and lower ball joints for wear or damage. REPAIR as necessary. REFER to FRONT SUSPENSION - 4X2 or FRONT SUSPENSION - 4X4 .
	Damaged or worn wheel bearings	CHECK for abnormal wheel bearing play or roughness. REFER to WHEEL BEARING CHECK . ADJUST or INSTALL new wheel bearings as necessary.
Clicking or snapping - occurs when accelerating around a corner	Damaged or worn outboard CV joint	INSPECT the outboard CV joint and boot. REPAIR or INSTALL a new CV joint as necessary. REFER to FRONT DRIVE HALFSHAFTS for the front halfshafts or REAR DRIVE HALFSHAFTS for the rear halfshafts.
High pitched chattering - noise from the rear axle when the vehicle is turning	Incorrect or contaminated lubricant	CHECK the vehicle by driving in tight circles (5 clockwise, 5 counterclockwise). FLUSH and REFILL with the specified rear axle lubricant and friction modifier as necessary.
	Damaged or worn differential (differential side gears and pinion gears)	DISASSEMBLE the differential assembly. INSPECT the differential case, pin and gears for wear or damage. REPAIR or INSTALL a new differential as necessary. REFER to REAR DRIVE AXLE/DIFFERENTIAL - FORD 8.8-INCH RING GEAR for the rear axle or FRONT DRIVE AXLE/DIFFERENTIAL - DANA 30 for the front axle.
Buzz - buzzing noise is the same at cruise or coast/deceleration	Damaged or worn tires	CHECK for abnormal tire wear or damage. INSTALL a new tire as necessary. REFER to WHEELS AND TIRES .
	Incorrect driveline angles	CHECK for correct driveline angles. REPAIR as necessary. REFER to DRIVELINE SYSTEM-GENERAL INFORMATION .
Rumble or boom - noise occurs at coast/deceleration, usually driveshaft speed related and noticeable over a wide range of speeds	Driveshaft is out-of-balance	CHECK the driveshaft for damage, missing balance weights or undercoating. CHECK the driveshaft balance. CARRY OUT a driveline vibration test. REFER to DRIVELINE SYSTEM-GENERAL INFORMATION .
	U-joints binding or seized	ROTATE the driveshaft and CHECK for rough operation or seized U-joints. INSTALL new U-joints as necessary. REFER to DRIVESHAFT .
	Excessive pinion flange runout	CARRY OUT a runout check. REPAIR as necessary.
Grunting - normally associated with a shudder experienced during acceleration from a dead stop	Driveshaft slip yoke binding	CLEAN and LUBRICATE the male and female splines.
	Loose rear spring U-bolts	INSPECT the rear suspension. TIGHTEN the U-bolt nuts to specification. REFER to REAR SUSPENSION .
Howl - can occur at various speeds and driving conditions. Affected by acceleration and deceleration	Incorrect ring and pinion contact, incorrect bearing preload or gear damage	CHECK the ring and pinion and bearings for damage. INSPECT the ring and pinion wear pattern. ADJUST or INSTALL new components as necessary. REFER to CHECKING TOOTH CONTACT PATTERN AND CONDITION OF THE RING AND PINION for the rear axle or REFER to CHECKING TOOTH CONTACT PATTERN AND CONDITION OF THE RING AND PINION for the front axle.
Chuckle - heard at coast/deceleration. Also described as a knock	Incorrect ring and pinion contact or by damaged teeth on the coast side of the ring and pinion	CHECK the ring and pinion for damage. INSPECT the ring and pinion wear pattern. ADJUST or INSTALL new components as necessary. REFER to CHECKING TOOTH CONTACT PATTERN AND CONDITION OF THE RING AND PINION for the rear axle or REFER to CHECKING TOOTH CONTACT PATTERN AND CONDITION OF THE RING AND PINION for the front axle.
Knock - noise occurs at various speeds. Not affected by acceleration or deceleration	Gear tooth damage to the drive side of the ring and pinion	CHECK the differential case and ring and pinion for damage. INSTALL new components as necessary. REFER to REAR DRIVE AXLE/DIFFERENTIAL - FORD 8.8-INCH RING GEAR for the rear axle or FRONT DRIVE AXLE/DIFFERENTIAL - DANA 30 for the front axle.
	Excessive axle shaft end play. (Vehicles with integral axles)	CHECK the axle end play using a dial indicator. INSTALL a new axle shaft or side gears as necessary. REFER to REAR DRIVE AXLE/DIFFERENTIAL - FORD 8.8-INCH RING GEAR .
Scraping noise - a continuous low pitched noise starting at low speeds	Worn or damaged pinion bearings	CHECK the pinion bearings. INSTALL new pinion bearings as necessary. REFER to REAR DRIVE AXLE/DIFFERENTIAL - FORD 8.8-INCH RING GEAR for the rear axle or FRONT DRIVE AXLE/DIFFERENTIAL - DANA 30 for the front axle.
Driveline shudder - occurs during acceleration from a slow speed or stop	Rear drive axle assembly mispositioned	CHECK the axle mounts and the rear suspension for damage or wear. REPAIR as necessary.
	Loose rear spring U-bolts	INSPECT the U-bolts. TIGHTEN the U-bolt nuts to specification. REFER to REAR SUSPENSION .
	Incorrect or high CV joint operating angle	CHECK vehicle ride height is within limits. REPAIR as necessary.
	Damaged or worn front suspension components	CHECK for a loose stabilizer bar, damaged or loose strut/strut bushings or loose or worn ball joints. INSPECT the steering linkage for wear or damage. REPAIR or INSTALL new components as necessary.
	Driveline angles out of specification	CHECK for correct driveline angles. REPAIR as necessary. REFER to DRIVELINE SYSTEM-GENERAL INFORMATION .
	U-joints binding or seized	ROTATE the driveshaft and CHECK for rough operation or seized U-joints. INSTALL new U-joints as necessary. REFER to DRIVESHAFT .
	Binding, damaged or galled splines on the driveshaft slip-yoke	CLEAN and INSPECT the splines of the slip-yoke, driveshaft and coupling shaft for a worn, damaged or galled condition. INSTALL a new slip-yoke or driveshaft assembly as necessary. REPAIR as necessary. REFER to DRIVESHAFT .
Driveline vibration - occurs at cruising speeds	U-joints are worn	CHECK for wear or incorrect seating. INSTALL new U-joints as necessary. REFER to DRIVESHAFT .
	Worn or damaged driveshaft center bearing support	CHECK the insulator for damage or wear. ROTATE the driveshaft and CHECK for rough operation. INSTALL a new center bearing support as necessary. DRIVESHAFT .
	Loose axle pinion flange bolts	INSPECT the axle pinion flange. TIGHTEN the pinion flange bolts to specification. REFER to REAR DRIVE AXLE/DIFFERENTIAL - FORD 8.8-INCH RING GEAR .
	Excessive axle pinion flange runout	CARRY OUT a Runout Check. REPAIR as necessary.
	Driveshaft is out-of-balance	CHECK the driveshaft for damage, missing balance weights or undercoating. CHECK driveshaft balance. CARRY OUT a driveline vibration test. REFER to DRIVELINE SYSTEM-GENERAL INFORMATION . REPAIR as necessary.
	Binding or damaged splines on the driveshaft slip-yoke	CLEAN and INSPECT the splines of the slip-yoke, driveshaft and coupling shaft for wear or damage. INSTALL a new slip-yoke or driveshaft assembly as necessary. REFER to DRIVESHAFT . REPAIR as necessary.
	Driveshaft runout	CARRY OUT a Runout Check. REPAIR as necessary.
	Incorrect lateral and radial tire/wheel runout	INSPECT the tire and wheels. MEASURE tire runouts. REPAIR or INSTALL new components as necessary. REFER to WHEELS AND TIRES .
	Driveline angles out of specification	CHECK for correct driveline angles. REPAIR as necessary. REFER to DRIVELINE SYSTEM-GENERAL INFORMATION .
	Incorrectly seated CV joint in the front wheel hub	CHECK the outer CV joint for correct seating into the hub. REPAIR as necessary.