Need Help..rear wheel thumping...

[Big House]

And I have now clue as to what it might be. There is no vibration but there is a distinct thunping sound as the wheel rolls. Any input is welcome.

[RF Overlord]

Could be a number of things...my vote is for a tire with ply separation. I've had that issue with a rear tire on previous cars and it didn't produce any noticeable vibration.

[Big House]

How could I tell this. I took the tire off and gave it a good lookin over. Nothing looked out of line, no buldges, no nothing.

[Black_Noise]

thorw your spare on drive around a little and see if it IS the tire

[Big House]

Good point. I will do that tomorrow afternoon to see. I hope it is not, I did not buy the tirerack road hazard warranty.

[fastblackmerc]

You could also try taking the suspect tire off and rolling it on a level surface. See if it rolls true. If it shimmies then the belts have slipped.

[merc]

Rear shocks--How my miles do you have on D.C. pot holes ?

[carfixer]

Sounds like the rear axle shafts are pitted. Do a search for rear axle tsb.http://www.mercurymarauder.net/showcase/files/1/1/9/0/axle.jpg

[Marauderjack]

"Whump...Whump...Whump"......is axles and bearings.....almost 100% of the time!!!:argue:

I had it happen to my 2000 CV and the rear was full of metal!!:mad:

Pull your fill plug and see what's on the magnet??:cool: If it is loaded with metal chips your axles, bearings, and seals will need replacing!! The kit from Ford is only about $300 and insallation should only be about $200 or so??:confused:

New axles will last almost forever.....some of the OEM's were very soft and I think they showed up in some 2003 Marauders!!:(

Marauderjack:burnout:

[MarauderMark]

"Whump...Whump...Whump"......is axles and bearings.....almost 100% of the time!!!:argue:

I had it happen to my 2000 CV and the rear was full of metal!!:mad:

Pull your fill plug and see what's on the magnet??:cool: If it is loaded with metal chips your axles, bearings, and seals will need replacing!! The kit from Ford is only about $300 and insallation should only be about $200 or so??:confused:

New axles will last almost forever.....some of the OEM's were very soft and I think they showed up in some 2003 Marauders!!:(

Marauderjack:burnout:

See if theres any black oil on the inside of your rims.

[RoyLPita]

Sounds like the rear axle shafts are pitted. Do a search for rear axle tsb.http://www.mercurymarauder.net/showcase/files/1/1/9/0/axle.jpg

Can you have this problem if it is noisier when the vehicle is hot?

(My apologies for quoting with the pic, however, it does apply to what I am asking.)

[Marauderjack]

I would guess it would be worse hot since the rear gear oil would be thinner when hot??:confused:

Mine was noisey all the time...I thought it was tires but a new set didn't change a thing!!:argue:

As I recall the hardest part of the whole ordeal was getting all the metal chips out of the rear housing....next hardest was removing the bearings....slide hammer and some elbow grease!!:eek:

The seals won't always leak when the bearings are gone...mine had no leaks at all....just a BUNCH of metal on the fill plug magnet!!:mad: Looked like a bird's wing...about 4" long!!:shake:

Funny thing is the gears were fine as were the inboard bearings?? I would have thought all of it would be trashed since I had that noise for several thousand miles and all of that metal in there??:confused:

Marauderjack:burnout:

[Big House]

It is really noticable at low speeds but fades out about 50. I can still faintly feel it at highway speeds.

"Whump...Whump...Whump"......is axles and bearings.....almost 100% of the time!!!:argue:

I had it happen to my 2000 CV and the rear was full of metal!!:mad:

Pull your fill plug and see what's on the magnet??:cool: If it is loaded with metal chips your axles, bearings, and seals will need replacing!! The kit from Ford is only about $300 and insallation should only be about $200 or so??:confused:

New axles will last almost forever.....some of the OEM's were very soft and I think they showed up in some 2003 Marauders!!:(

Marauderjack:burnout:

[Krytin]

I vote for the wheel bearings. I had a '68 that was just like that - got quiet a higher speeds and after a 300 mile trip home, I pulled the right rear axle and the bearing was fried! Lucky to make it home.
Good luck - hope all turns out well!