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Hi, I hope you can help me. I have a 1996 Ford Explorer V8 ALL WHEEL DRIVE. The car has a really bad banging noise that is pretty constant now (it's gotten alot worse in the last week or two) The noise sounds like it is coming from up behind the driver side front tire. I was told it was a CV joint, then that it was the Transfer case. I just got back from a Ford Dealer Service Dept. where they removed a long arm or rod that was attached to the Transfer case. They said that it basically will remove my 4X4 capabilities, except that it's an ALL WHEEL DRIVE! I'm in Ensenada, Mexico and did not exactly understand what the mechanic was telling me, except that a new part was more then $32,000.00 pesos (approx. $3200.00 USD). Now, its not making the noise, but is it even safe to drive??? (My name is Michael but I am a woman, and obviously don't know too much about cars)Any advice and/or education you can give would be greatly appreciated!
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Michael-
Well...if the rod that he removed was the driveshaft then yes, I could definitely see that causing problems since all wheel drive vehicles don't work like traditional 4X4 systems. If the vehicle needs a new transfer case, I could also see that costing around $3200US. That's a little on the high side, but not the worst I've heard (then again you're in a foreign country so one might consider themselves lucky the parts are available...locating parts in foreign countries can drive someone insane). The problem is that Ford, in their not-so-infinite wisdom designed their AWD and 4WD trucks and SUVs sealed transfer cases. This means it can't be rebuilt, only replaced. Good news for Ford on parts sales, bad news for you on the cost. My advice would be to see if you can't get someone who speaks fluent spanish (or find someone at the shop who speaks better english) and get the full story. If the $3200 is for the transfer case, then it's not such a bad deal. If it's for something else I'd be a little suspicious. Hope this helps.
Steve
Thank you, now my next question....the rod that they removed is about
2 to 2-1/2 feet long and on the drivers side of the car...does that sound like the driveshaft and if so, then should I not drive it at all?
-Michael
Answer -
Michael-
That could be a CV joint or the driveshaft depending on which way it was situated. Did it sit parallel to you (when positioned in the driver's seat) or perpendicular? If it's parallel to the direction that you face while in the driver's seat, it was most likely the driveshaft. if not...well...I don't see how an AWD car would very well function without a CV joint. In either event, I'd still try to get the full story from the mechanic or at the very least get a second opinion. Hope this helps.
Steve
it was not the CV joint, because I know where that is and they said I need anew one of those, too. What will happen if I drive a short distance without that part of the driveshaft? Should I have it put back on even though taking it off SOUNDS like it may have corrected the noise?
AnswerMichael-
I honestly don't know what the effect of driving with the driveshaft off (if that is the case) would be. It depends what kind of differential Ford uses for their AWD Explorers. Since I'm not entirely familiar with the cars, it's hard to say. I certainly wouldn't have them put anything back on that's making noise like that. If it were me, I'd err on the side of caution and wait for a repair before driving it.
Steve
