CLICKING NOISE FROM THE LEFT REAR INSIDE JUST INSIDE TAILGATE ON DRIVER,S SIDE UNDER TRIM PANEL
The problem is most likely a damper door actuator that has a stripped gear. I replaced mine in my Explorer and it appears to be a common problem. To replace it you must remove the side panel which is held in by the door seals and spring clips. This will expose the rear a/c unit. Then you must remove the bolts securing the a/c housing to allow you to pull the housing away from the fender to get access to the actuator. The actuator is bolted on and will require a small socket to remove it. You can hear and feel the actuator thumping to determine which one it is. When replaced, the actuator shaft must be aligned with the damper door which is inside the housing. The part number for mine was YL5Z*19E616*AA and lists for $68.18 at the Ford dealer. I found it later online for $35.
This problem is hard to discern without actually being there, and trying different techniques to narrow the problem down. All I can offer at this point, are places to check, and things to try.
1.It may be the left rear wheel bearing. Expedition on a hard level surface. Put the rear on jack stands in the appropriate places. (TWO) Put wheel chocks in front of the front tires. The parking brake only works for the rear. You have nothing to keep the vehicle from moving forward. Wheel chocks! Use a lever device like a small cheater pipe, and place it under the tire. Don't get crazy, and hurt your back, but see if you can lift up on the tire/wheel. If you have even a 16th inch of movement, you have a bad wheel bearing. Also grab the tire at 12 O'Clock, and 6 O'Clock. Try to rock the tire back and forth. Push in at 12, pull out at 6, and the reverse of this. Movement indicates a bad wheel bearing.
2.Check the level of the rear differential fluid. You may want to use a type of glove like a dish washing glove, or surgical type. This fluid is nasty. I'm a heavy equipment mechanic for Army vehicles, (Cross trained over from automotive civilian), and I still feel this after all these years! You have to remove the fill plug, that is located about mid level. Then insert an appropriate fingertip in the threaded hole. (Little finger, ring finger. My ring finger uses a size 12 ring. I use my little finger) Your fingertip should dip in about 1/2 inch, and there should be fluid present. If it isn't present, try to dip your fingertip in until it does. No fluid present means bad jo-jo!
It's time to drain the rear differential, and check for shavings in the fluid. Check the drain plug also, as it's magnetic. Some shavings is normal. If you have a 1/4 inch of shavings on that magnetic drain plug, it's time to get a pro to check it out. Unless you want to remove the front pinion case, front pinion gear, and assembly to check the pinion gear, and ring gear yourself. Plus the spider gears.
3.It may be something as simple, as a rock trapped in the brake rotor shield.
It is the above answer. It is an actuator behind the panleing on the driver's side. You gave good answers, but they were not based on the info given and were left with an assumtion that the owner was ignorant about autos. Do you work at a dealership? I appreciate your time, but I am curious. This happens all of the time at car "service" stores.
Returning 4 years later............no I do not work at a dealership........Had I have worked at one, there may have been a Service Bulletin given, that would have info pertaining to that..........Yours is an assumption also. An asuumption based on that I assumed the asker was ignorant of 'autos'.........I find your assumption baseless.........Reasoning? I STARTED the diagnosis.........Wasn't etched in stone.........Asker had come back, and stated, "No Joe, I stated the noise was coming DIRECTLY from under the panel.",.....Then I would have stated OK. We are getting closer to where the noise actually enamates from..........OR, asker may have come back, and stated, "Yes. The noise came from a different location than I thought.........Seems to now be enamating from the left rear axle side.......As for the 'car service stores'.........What?..........As in what capacity? 'Walfart', 'Jiffy's Luber'? If you aren't standing right next to the vehicle, and may be a million miles away, you have to diagnose through statements back, and forth on here...........So.......Let's say it WASN'T a stripped gear on an actuator...........Let's say it was when the vehicle was moving?........Your assumption then would be?.........
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I have the same problem. It comes from a blower in the left rear of the car in the inside right below the left rear window. I has something to do with the A/C-Heater temp selector. If you turn the temp select switch on your upper console you can dampen the sound, but I can't make it go away. Yet.
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