Noise coming from rear when making sharp turns

Tiny
BENNIEV
  • MEMBER
  • 2013 FORD ESCAPE
  • 1.6L
  • 4 CYL
  • TURBO
  • 4WD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 107,000 MILES
Whenever I make a sharp turn in the vehicle I hear a noise coming from the rear. It sounds like a light knocking sound. It seems like the rear tires are trying to engage with the intelligent 4WD but slips for a little bit. The noise goes away then you start to go straight. You can hear the noise real good from the inside but not as loud on the outside. What might be the cause of this?
Saturday, May 16th, 2020 AT 5:10 PM

14 Replies

Tiny
KASEKENNY
  • MECHANIC
  • 18,907 POSTS
Have you recently changed tires? Specifically just two tires?

Your vehicle is front wheel drive except for when it determines 4WD is needed and then it engages the rear end. The knocking noise you are hearing is the rear end trying to engage on a turn because the wheel speeds are not the same so it things the tires are spinning so it is trying to apply the rear end. This happens when you change just 1, 2, or 3 tires at a time. When you change your tires, you need to change all 4 at the same time to avoid this issue.

If you have not then I suspect you just have an issue with this system which is not uncommon either. However, if it is a tire, then you may be able to fix it by putting 4 tires on it. Let me know and we can go from there. Thanks
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Saturday, May 16th, 2020 AT 7:42 PM
Tiny
BENNIEV
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  • 7 POSTS
I just bought the vehicle a week ago and all 4 tires seemed pretty new. It was driving fine all week then yesterday it started making the knocking sound. I can be sitting in the driveway and start to back up and turn the wheel and it starts making the sound.
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Saturday, May 16th, 2020 AT 10:21 PM
Tiny
DANNY L
  • MECHANIC
  • 5,648 POSTS
Hello, I'm Danny.

It sounds like you might be having an issue with the rear CV axle (propeller shaft). Usually when they begin to fail you will hear a clicking,thumping,cracking sound when making turns over going over uneven road surfaces like you described. Here is a tutorial showing what is involved for a CV axle replacement:

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/replace-cv-axle

Most shops are able to check your CV axle for possible damage including a brake check for free. I've attached picture step-by-step replacement instructions below for your vehicle below.Hope this helps and thanks again for using 2CarPros.
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Sunday, May 17th, 2020 AT 2:03 AM
Tiny
BENNIEV
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  • 7 POSTS
Here is a video of the noise it makes when I turn. It sounds like it is coming from the rear of the vehicle.
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Sunday, May 17th, 2020 AT 7:20 AM
Tiny
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Can you put this in context for us? How fast were you going and does it do it both directions (left and right turns)?
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Sunday, May 17th, 2020 AT 5:41 PM
Tiny
BENNIEV
  • MEMBER
  • 7 POSTS
I was making a left turn at an intersection. As soon as the light turned green I started to accelerate and turn left. The noise started then went away as soon as I straightened the wheels. It does the same thing when I turn right at an intersection.
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Sunday, May 17th, 2020 AT 7:36 PM
Tiny
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Okay. This sounds like an issue that is pretty common on AWD vehicles. Basically they have a system called active torque coupling. This means when you are in a turn and accelerating the vehicle is put into 4WD mode to give you the most traction in case you need it. This clunking noise is either coming from the clutch in the rear or the rear differential itself.

I would suggest unplugging the coupling solenoid that I show in the attachment and then see if it still does it.
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Monday, May 18th, 2020 AT 7:15 PM
Tiny
BENNIEV
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So if the noise stops after I unplug the coupling solenoid, does that mean that the coupling solenoid is the issue?
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Tuesday, May 19th, 2020 AT 9:06 AM
Tiny
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It would not be the solenoid. It would be the rear coupling unit. The solenoid just engages the rear coupling so by unplugging it, you will not be engaging the rear unit so we know the issue is back there.
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Wednesday, May 20th, 2020 AT 6:48 PM
Tiny
BENNIEV
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Well I unplugged the coupling solenoid, the noise stopped.
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Thursday, May 21st, 2020 AT 1:19 PM
Tiny
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Unfortunately that means the rear is the issue. There is a clutch that the solenoid that you unplugged applies and disengages. Then the actual gearing in the rear differential. This is one unit and will require replacing. I attached the detail on this. It is not cheap so you have the option of leaving that solenoid unplugged which leaves the vehicle in front wheel drive. Clearly not desirable but the part alone is almost $1,000.00.

Let me know if you have questions. Thanks
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Thursday, May 21st, 2020 AT 6:36 PM
Tiny
BENNIEV
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I'm just going to go ahead and replace it.
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Thursday, May 21st, 2020 AT 7:15 PM
Tiny
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Understood. Thanks for the update. Let us know if you have issues and we can help out. Thanks
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Friday, May 22nd, 2020 AT 7:29 PM
Tiny
JACOBANDNICKOLAS
  • MECHANIC
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Hi,

Anything is possible. I have a favor to ask. Could you start a new post? We try to keep them specific to one type of vehicle, so they are more helpful to others.

Here is a link to start a new one:

https://www.2carpros.com/questions/new

I hope you understand.

Take care,

Joe
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Sunday, April 16th, 2023 AT 9:31 PM

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