2008mkzawddeargodplzhlp

I know nobody is looking at this anymore but in case someone comes across this in the future. The symptoms were a Originally coming and going with the temperature outside. The last few days have been beautiful and the symptoms are gone. If they come back, I will revisit and update. As of now, this is the last post.

So I did a quick shake test to both front wheels today and there was no play. When I get a chance I'm going to pull them off and further inspect them. I have a question or two regarding the common ptu failures.. 1.What are the common symptoms of ptu failures on these vehicles? ( I've read clunking, grinding and smell but I'm only experiencing a grinding) 2. If my ptu was shot, would I be able to accelerate at all without the grinding? It seems to me like the grinding would he constant during all acceleration..

Update: I'm noticing now that it doesnt happen when my steering is right of dead center . Also if begin to accelerate while steering to the right and slowly straighten out it doesnt happen either. If it's only happening with weight distribution and steering what could it be?

Thank you SO MUCH for the reply. I'm going to check the driveshaft first. Can you tell me where to locate the PTU? I've seen videos of similar model fords but I cant find it on my mkz. I've noticed as of lately that the vibration//rumble//slight grinding happens prominently when it's cold or wet outside but on warmer dryer days like today, it's almost non existent.

Let me start off by saying that I've never owned a vehicle that I could not find information on. I've had a handful of Expeditions, escapes and town cars ranging from 1998-2014 and none of them have been difficult to find info on like my current project, the 2008 Mkz AWD. Now presumably you have all heard questions about the transfer cases on these things because that's what everyone has been saying but Nobody can go into detail lol. I have a 2008 mkz awd. I picked it up for super cheap and intend on maintaining it for as long as my patience lasts lmao. Its shifts smoother than most vehicles at 190k doesnt shift early or late but there is a whirring sound that comes from the engine bay/front of car mostly during heavier acceleration and when the car bounces a bit on wonky roads. It almost sounds like a modified exhaust but the fact that it's coming from the engine may makes me feel like it's actually a whirring coming from a slight grinding of sorts. Now I've read a fair bit about these transfer cases and how they need to be serviced even though theres no drain plug and Ford said they wouldn't need to be. I'd LOVE to check the fluid on it but I cant figure out how to accurately judge what is FULL or LOW without removing it entirely. I've dived into this site and the forums a bit and found other posts referring to a similar noise but they're all abandoned posts. If you can not help me find one maybe we can make this into one for others to help themselves. Transfer case fill hole location? Any info on the mythical self tapped drain plug? Transfer case oil type?