Help with my 99 Ford expedition.

[UndeadPopShots]

Hey everyone, I have a 99 Ford expedition Eddie Bauer edition, and as of the past 3 or 4 days it has been grinding while I slow down and turn my wheels. I was told it was the axel, differential. I have also been told could be the cv joints, or rotors and break pads. One of my friends said it sounds exactly like a friend's vehicle did when she needed the ball bearings, or ball joints replaced.

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[FordandPolaris]

OK just need some clarification. It is grinding while slowing down, and also when you turn your wheels? Or it only grinds while braking and turning the wheels at the same time?

When I think of grinding, it usually is bad brake pads. Its a deep metal on metal sound. Bad ball joints tend to have more of a squeaking sound to them, like a bad spring mattress. Doesn't mean they can't make a grinding noise either, but usually you find that squeaking in there somewhere too. If it grinds while making turns, it could be a bad wheel hub. Basically that would be the bearings grinding against the side of the worn out race.

To eliminate the differential, pull fuse 104 under the hood. This will disable the A4WD and allow you to tell if the front drivetrain is the cause. If the noise is still present after doing that, you can eliminate the differential and 4wd, assuming it is 4wd. I guess I don't know that either haha.

 

[UndeadPopShots]

Yeah its grinding while doing both, more so when I turn though, and yeah its in 4wd at all times, I will definitely try the pulling of the fuse and get back to you on it. How safe is it to drive with the fuse pulled though?

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[UndeadPopShots]

Soo I took out the fuse and the grinding is still there, but now only when I turn my wheels and when the steering wheel is about half turned or more

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[nonwoven29]

Crawl under the truck. Check for Any obvious signs of ripped cv boots. Put the truck up on jack stands and try to diag.

 

[UndeadPopShots]

I did some looking online also and it definitely sounds like the cv joints, I took some pictures of just the front passenger side with out a tire. I know it probably looks bad, it's a 99 with roughly 312000 miles

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[FordandPolaris]

I would agree that it does sound a bit like CV axles. Usually if you drive in sharp circles in one direction, you will hear the grinding and feel a pop. That is a tell-tale sign of CV axles. With the tire on, push and pull the tire in and out first with your hands at 12 and 6 on the tire to test ball joints. Then 3 and 9 to test the tie rod ends. There should not be much play in either direction. Since it is in the air you may as well test those.

 

[UndeadPopShots]

I already put the tire back on and brought it down. But I will make sure I try that next time. And yeah I hear grinding and popping. Jiffy lube told me that everything looked "fine" but there looked to have been an oil leak/spill on the right sight, which happened to be the side it all seemed to start on. Also I forgot to mention, the first day it happened my expedition seemed to drop when I put it in reverse and backed up.

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[FordandPolaris]

I already put the tire back on and brought it down. But I will make sure I try that next time. And yeah I hear grinding and popping. Jiffy lube told me that everything looked "fine" but there looked to have been an oil leak/spill on the right sight, which happened to be the side it all seemed to start on. Also I forgot to mention, the first day it happened my expedition seemed to drop when I put it in reverse and backed up.

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If there was oil (actually more likely grease) then the CV boot is probably ripped somewhere and sprayed it all over. I had the same problem with mine shortly after replacing them. Basically the metal clamp on the boot broke off and let the grease spray all over the suspension and tire. Start with replacing just that CV axle and see if it solves the issue.

Bad CV axles "look" fine, but the inside is most likely all torn up.

 

[UndeadPopShots]

Okay, I will be checking it tomorrow and I will let you know what I find out. Thank you again for all the help.

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[UndeadPopShots]

Sorry for the late reply, I was told it's much easier to reply the axel since the are individual axel. So I am going to be looking for that. I had someone under my expedition and they didn't see anything wrong with the cv boots

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[IMINYOURCHAIR]

If there was oil (actually more likely grease) then the CV boot is probably ripped somewhere and sprayed it all over. I had the same problem with mine shortly after replacing them. Basically the metal clamp on the boot broke off and let the grease spray all over the suspension and tire. Start with replacing just that CV axle and see if it solves the issue.

Bad CV axles "look" fine, but the inside is most likely all torn up.

looks like that's already happened. I marked some areas in the OP's attached pic that look like classic cv grease patterns. I've had several cv boots fail and when left untended the dirt builds up like this on the frame, tie rod ends or whatever else is in the path. I even had one sling it to the serp belt and throw it on the hood. never would've checked if it weren't for that.

to the OP, I would go ahead and replace the axle. even if it doesn't resolve the problem it's a wear item anyhow and would eventually need replacement either way. would also take a pressure washer to the areas I pointed out in the event of a future boot failure.

 

[UndeadPopShots]

Okay thanks, I am currently looking for axel prices and found some decently priced ones. But just gotta wait till payday to purchase them. Thanks for the info guys I will keep you posted on what I get done and what happens

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[UndeadPopShots]

How safe it is to drive on? I won't be able to fix it until this coming Friday

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[Pedition2000]

Let me know if you priced your axles online and the cheapest you found. For anyone, if I buy from a junk yard what should I look for in the axle to make sure is good?


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[UndeadPopShots]

I bought mine at auto zone for 7 bucks with tax and core charge.

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[Danno-Blammo]

Good Stuff, Gents

I love this forum!

Was looking for this info and PRESTO, there is always someone going through what I am at any given point in time.

Thx

 

[UndeadPopShots]

I completely forgot to update you guys. I fixed the passenger side, and now I gotta do the driver side. Once you start the process it's actually quite simple. I am looking forward to doing the driver side.

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