Symptom Chart - Driveline Noise/Vibration

WARNING: This page is about a different car, the 2004 Mercury Monterey and 2004 Ford Freestar. However, it is still accessible from the selected car via links, so may be relevant.

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.
	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.
	Damaged or worn differential side or pinion bearings.	CHECK for abnormal bearing play or roughness. INSTALL new bearings as necessary.
	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.
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.
	Damaged or worn pinion bearings.	CHECK for abnormal bearing play or roughness. INSTALL new bearings as necessary.
	Damaged or worn universal joints (U-joints).	INSPECT the U-joints for wear or damage. INSTALL new U-joints as necessary.
	Loose suspension components.	INSPECT the suspension for damage or wear. REPAIR or INSTALL new components as necessary.
	Broken powertrain mounts.	INSPECT the powertrain mounts. Refer to ENGINE - 3.9L & 4.2L . INSTALL new mounts as necessary.
	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.
	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.
	Loose rear leaf spring U-bolts.	CHECK the U-bolts for loose nuts. TIGHTEN to specification.
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.
Driveline clunk (4WD vehicles) - occurs during shift-on-the-fly engagement	Clutch relay. Shift motor. Transfer case. GEM.	CHECK the 4WD engagement system. REPAIR or INSTALL new components as necessary.
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.
	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 BRAKE SYSTEM article .
	Steering components.	INSPECT the drag link, inner and outer tie-rods or idler arm for wear or damage. REPAIR as necessary. Refer to STEERING SYSTEM .
	Suspension components.	INSPECT the upper and lower ball joints for wear or damage. REPAIR as necessary. Refer to REMOVAL AND INSTALLATION in SUSPENSION SYSTEMS article .
	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.
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.
Buzz - buzzing noise is the same at cruise or coast/deceleration	Damaged or worn tires.	CHECK for abnormal tire wear or damage. INSTALL new tire(s) as necessary. Refer to SUSPENSION SYSTEM article .
	Incorrect driveline angles.	CHECK for correct driveline angles. REPAIR as necessary.
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.
	U-joints binding or seized.	ROTATE the driveshaft and CHECK for rough operation or seized U-joints. INSTALL new U-joints as necessary.
	Excessive pinion flange runout.	CARRY OUT a runout check. REPAIR as necessary.
	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.
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. Refer to CHECKING TOOTH CONTACT PATTERN AND CONDITION OF THE RING AND PINION . ADJUST or INSTALL new components as necessary.
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. Refer to CHECKING TOOTH CONTACT PATTERN AND CONDITION OF THE RING AND PINION . ADJUST or INSTALL new components as necessary.
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. .
	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.
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.
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.
	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.
	U-joints binding or seized.	ROTATE the driveshaft and CHECK for rough operation or seized U-joints. INSTALL new U-joints as necessary.
	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.
Driveline vibration - occurs at cruising speeds	U-joints are worn.	CHECK for wear or incorrect seating. INSTALL new U-joints as necessary.
	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.
	Loose axle pinion flange bolts.	INSPECT the axle pinion flange. TIGHTEN the pinion flange bolts to specification.
	Excessive axle pinion flange runout.	CARRY OUT a Runout Check. REPAIR as necessary.
	Driveshaft is out-of-balance. Binding or damaged splines on the driveshaft slip-yoke.	CHECK the driveshaft for damage, missing balance weights or undercoating. CHECK driveshaft balance. CARRY OUT a driveline vibration test. 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. 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 SUSPENSION SYSTEM article .
	Driveline angles out of specification.	CHECK for correct driveline angles. REPAIR as necessary.
	Incorrectly seated CV joint in the front wheel hub.	CHECK the outer CV joint for correct seating into the hub. REPAIR as necessary. .