Symptom Chart-Driveline Noise/Vibration

WARNING: This page is about a different car, the 2006 Mercury Mariner and 2006 Ford Escape. 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 .
	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	REFER to DRIVELINE SYSTEM-GENERAL INFORMATION .
	Damaged or worn differential side or pinion bearings	REFER to DRIVELINE SYSTEM-GENERAL INFORMATION .
	Transfer case housing or internal gear damage or low lubricant	INSPECT the transfer case for damage. CHECK the lubricant level and FILL the transfer case to specification. REFER to TRANSFER CASE-POWER TRANSFER UNIT (PTU) .
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	REFER to DRIVELINE SYSTEM-GENERAL INFORMATION .
	Damaged or worn pinion bearings	REFER to DRIVELINE SYSTEM-GENERAL INFORMATION .
	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. REFER to FRONT SUSPENSION or REAR SUSPENSION .
	Broken powertrain mounts	INSPECT the powertrain mounts. REFER to ENGINE - 2.3L , ENGINE - 3.0L (4V) or ENGINE - HYBRID 2.3L . INSTALL new mounts as necessary.
	Idle speed is too high	CHECK for the correct idle speed.
Driveline clunk - occurs as the vehicle starts to move forward following a stop	Worn driveshaft constant velocity (CV) joint or U-joints with excessive play	INSPECT the inner CV joint and U-joints for a worn condition. INSTALL a new driveshaft or U-joints as necessary. REFER to REAR DRIVE AXLE-DIFFERENTIAL .
	Loose rear axle mount	CHECK the axle for loose bolts. TIGHTEN to specification. REFER to REAR DRIVE AXLE-DIFFERENTIAL .
Driveline clunk (front wheel drive [FWD] vehicles) - occurs during acceleration or from cruise to coast/deceleration	Damaged or worn inner constant velocity (CV) joint	INSPECT the inner CV joint and boot. REPAIR or INSTALL a new CV joint as necessary. REFER to FRONT DRIVE HALFSHAFTS .
Driveline clunk (all wheel drive [AWD] vehicles)	Transfer case Interactive torque	CHECK the AWD engagement system. REPAIR or INSTALL new components as necessary. REFER to FOUR-WHEEL DRIVE SYSTEMS .
Clicking, popping, or grinding - occurs while the vehicle is turning	Inadequate or contaminated lubrication in the constant velocity (CV) joints	CHECK the CV boots and joints for wear or damage. REPAIR or INSTALL new components as necessary. REFER to FRONT DRIVE 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 and the idler arm for wear or damage. REPAIR as necessary. REFER to STEERING SYSTEM-GENERAL INFORMATION .
	Suspension components	INSPECT the upper and lower ball joints for wear or damage. REPAIR as necessary. REFER to FRONT SUSPENSION or REAR SUSPENSION .
	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 constant velocity (CV) joint	INSPECT the outboard CV joint and boot. REPAIR or INSTALL a new CV joint as necessary. REFER to FRONT DRIVE 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)	REFER to REAR DRIVE AXLE-DIFFERENTIAL .
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 & TIRES .
	Incorrect driveline angles	CHECK for correct driveline angles. REPAIR as necessary. REFER to DRIVELINE ANGLES .
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. REPAIR or INSTALL a new driveshaft as necessary.
	U-joints are 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. REFER to Pinion Flange Runout Check.
Grunting - normally associated with a shudder experienced during acceleration from a complete stop	Driveshaft constant velocity (CV) joint binding	CLEAN the CV joint and INSTALL a new driveshaft as necessary. REFER to REMOVAL AND INSTALLATION .
	Loose rear axle mount bolts or suspension fasteners	INSPECT the rear suspension and axle. TIGHTEN the fasteners to specification.
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	REFER to REAR DRIVE AXLE-DIFFERENTIAL .
Chuckle - heard at coast/deceleration. Also described as a knock	Incorrect ring and pinion contact or damaged teeth on the coast side of the ring and pinion	REFER to REAR DRIVE AXLE-DIFFERENTIAL .
Knock - noise occurs at various speeds. Not affected by acceleration or deceleration	Gear tooth damage to the drive side of the ring and pinion	REFER to REAR DRIVE AXLE-DIFFERENTIAL .
Scraping noise - a continuous low pitched noise starting at low speeds	Worn or damaged pinion bearings	REFER to REAR DRIVE AXLE-DIFFERENTIAL .
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 axle bolts	CHECK the rear axle for loose bolts. TIGHTEN the bolts to specification. REFER to REAR DRIVE AXLE-DIFFERENTIAL .
	Incorrect or high constant velocity (CV) joint operating angle	INSPECT for damage. 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. REFER to FRONT SUSPENSION .
	Driveline angles out of specification	CHECK for correct driveline angles. REPAIR as necessary.
	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 or damaged driveshaft CV joint	INSPECT the driveshaft CV joint and coupling shaft for wear or damage. INSTALL a new driveshaft as necessary. REPAIR as necessary. REFER to DRIVESHAFT .
Driveline vibration - occurs at cruising speeds	Worn U-joints	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. REFER to DRIVESHAFT .
	Loose axle pinion flange bolts	INSPECT the axle pinion flange. TIGHTEN the pinion flange bolts to specification. REFER to DRIVESHAFT .
	Excessive axle pinion flange runout	CARRY OUT a runout check. REPAIR as necessary. REFER to REAR DRIVE AXLE-DIFFERENTIAL .
	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 DRIVESHAFT . REPAIR as necessary.
	Binding or damaged driveshaft constant velocity (CV) joint	INSPECT the driveshaft CV joint for wear or damage. INSTALL a new driveshaft as necessary. REFER to REMOVAL AND INSTALLATION .
	Excessive driveshaft runout	CARRY OUT a runout check. REFER to DRIVESHAFT . REPAIR as necessary.
	Incorrect lateral and radial tire/wheel runout	INSPECT the tires and wheels. MEASURE the tire runouts. REPAIR or INSTALL new components as necessary. REFER to WHEELS & TIRES .
	Driveline angles out of specification	CHECK for correct driveline angles. REPAIR as necessary. REFER to DRIVELINE ANGLES .
	Incorrectly seated CV joint in the wheel hub	CHECK the outer CV joint for correct seating into the hub. REPAIR as necessary. REFER to FRONT DRIVE HALFSHAFTS for the front CV joints or REAR DRIVE HALFSHAFTS for the rear CV joints .