first ever 3WD Explorer!?!?

Big Red · November 28, 2006

Hey guys I am very confused and really hoping to get some advice to fix the problem. I recently fixed my shifter motor on the t-case and I can now finally move in and out of 2WD, 4WD, and 4low. So now when I put the truck in 4 WD I have both my driveshafts spinning out of the T-Case. Then the passenger side axle on the front spins from the differential out to the wheel but doesn't actually make the wheel spin or engage the wheels. But on the Driver side of the front axle (or to the left of the differential) the axle is not even spinning. So as I look at the truck from the front I look at the differential on the front and when I am in 4WD the axle to the left of the differential is spinning but to the right it is not. So basically when I am in 4WD I am really in 3WD because the actual axles are only spinning at 3 of the 4 wheels but none except the rear tires are actually moving. I would appreciate any advice.

LBarr2002 · November 28, 2006

Is this with the truck completely in the air or some wheels on the ground? Please clarify. It sounds like your right front hub is shot, allowing the axle shaft to spin inside the wheel. Since its an open differential, only the wheel with least resistance (the right front since the hub is not locking) will spin.

IZwack · November 28, 2006

Big Red >> please do not post your question in some one else's thread (http://www.explorerforum.com/forums/showthread.php?p=1556501) and then start another thread revolving around the same exact question.

Big Red · November 28, 2006

Well I did not mean to post my question there, I was just trying to help the other guy out when you replied to what I posted. But since you were the only person replying to my problem I was hoping to get some more advice and so I started another thread. I am sorry but I did not know this was not allowed.

Big Red · November 28, 2006

This is with all four wheels completely lifted and when the front left (from front) axle is spinning it sounds like small gears that are scratching. The right side though is in the air and not moving at all.

IZwack · November 28, 2006

Okay a little clean up here. I'm going to try to delete from the other thread and put it all in this thread so we can focus on your issue here.

Big Red said:
Okay yeah I read his post again I just misunderstood him. But just to make clear the problem I still have...I have both my driveshafts spinning out of the T-Case. Then the passenger side axle on the front spins from the differential out to the wheel but doesn't actually make the wheel spin. (So up to hear I agree with you that its probably the hubs) But on the Driver side of the front axle (or to the left of the differential) the axle is not even spinning. So as I look at the truck from the front I look at the differential on the front and when I am in 4WD the axle to the left of the differential is spinning but to the right it is not. I would appreciate any advice.

Thanks.

IZwack said:
Thats the purpose of an open differential (non locking) -- it allows one side to spin at a different speed than the other. Its just in your particular case, one driveshaft is a zero RPM while the other one is at some other RPM.

Big Red said:
Ok so I am at least getting the feeling that this means my differential or axle is not broken. How do I fix this problem? Would just getting new hubs or manual hubs fix the whole problem? And just out of curiousity what good is it to me to have an open differential? What does it do? And why is it not moving? Does this mean it would move if it was actually locking and on the ground?

I really appreciate your help.

Big Red

IZwack said:
An "open" differential allows your vehicle to make turns. Without it, both wheels will spin at the same exact speed which means the wheels will have to to "chirp" rubber.

Here read this article about how differentials works: http://auto.howstuffworks.com/differential.htm

chrisis · November 28, 2006

this is how it suppost to work.when you are at 2wd only 1 of the 2 rear tires turns except if you have a limited slip.

when you ar at 4wd then it turns 1 tire in front and 1 tire in the rear except if you have a limited slip at the back both tires turn so you have 3wd.

thats why a lot of people want to lock front and rear axle to have power to all 4 wheels.

hope i help

IZwack · November 28, 2006

Big Red said:
This is with all four wheels completely lifted and when the front left (from front) axle is spinning it sounds like small gears that are scratching. The right side though is in the air and not moving at all.

Well assuming that the passenger's side hub is dead, then there is nothing to "drag" that axle shaft back so all of the power from the driveshaft will go to that axle shaft. If your hubs were working, the tire's rotational inertia (an object at rest will remain at rest unless a force is acted upon it) will resist the driveshaft and some of the power will then be transfered to the other axle shaft.

Big Red · November 28, 2006

Ok, thanks IZwack, I read it and it helped a lot. Thank you so much. I read that it is actually not a good thing to have this especially if you plan on doing some off-road or even just snowy condition driving. They said that it would be better to get a limited slip differential (LSD). Is this expensive and how can it be installed? Again sorry for the inconvenience but I appreciate your help.

Big Red · November 28, 2006

well when I had all four wheels in the air, both the back tires were moving. But in the front only one part of the axle was moving which has been explained to me as an open differential. So how do you lock your axles and how do you get limited slip? Can it be installed at home or do I have to take it in?

IZwack · November 28, 2006

A "Locked" differential has its advantages and disadvantages. For example, an open differential works better in slippery "off camber" situations where a "locked" differential will tend to "slip" the vehicle sidways as one of the wheels has a tendancy to loose traction.

Big Red said:
well when I had all four wheels in the air, both the back tires were moving. But in the front only one part of the axle was moving which has been explained to me as an open differential. So how do you lock your axles and how do you get limited slip? Can it be installed at home or do I have to take it in?

Your rear axles do not have "lockouts" (or what we were refering to as "hubs" before -- the mechanism that "locks" the axle shaft to the hub is called the "lockout"). So there will always be some "drag" on the axle shaft even if the rear differential is an "open" design (non locking or non limited slip). You can install most "lunch box" style "locker" at home. Search the forum for "locker" or "Lunch box"

Big Red · November 28, 2006

IZwack said:
A "Locked" differential has its advantages and disadvantages. For example, an open differential works better in slippery "off camber" situations where a "locked" differential will tend to "slip" the vehicle sidways as one of the wheels has a tendancy to loose traction.

So I guess this means its not like locking your hubs which can be engaged or disengaged? You either have a LSD or you don't?

IZwack · November 29, 2006

Big Red said:
So I guess this means its not like locking your hubs which can be engaged or disengaged? You either have a LSD or you don't?

That is correct.

On the Explorer, yes you either have LSD or you dont. But LSD is only one type of "locker" -- there are a few others, some that depend on clutches, some that depend on helical gears, and so on..

Big Red · November 29, 2006

So...If you weighed the advantages and disadvantages would this be something that you would suggest or not?

chrisis · November 29, 2006

limited slip is about $450+ and it come with much better manners than a locker, but a limited slip gives power to the wheel with traction to a certain degree and after it pass the maximum torgue that it can handle then your differential become open(you stuck).

a rear locker is not a bad idea even in the snow, and especially offroading because you have egual power to both wheels.

now you don't want a locker in the front in the snow because you are not going to be able to turn, but again you don't have to use 4wd in the snow and during cornering.

my advise if you offroad then locker is the way to go.

Big Red · November 29, 2006

Ok well that helps. So...I am still a little confused, is there a difference between a locker and limited slip? What does a locker cost and where and how do you install it?

IZwack · November 29, 2006

Yeah whether or not you need a locker depends on the trails you do. Just try doing what you can with what you have, if you get stuck, get a locker.

Big Red · November 29, 2006

I do very minor off-roading. I have not actually gone out and done major trails and don't know whether I would do that yet. But for now I get into some mud every now and then and of course I want the truck safe for snowy conditions, and soon! So you said to try and do what I can with what I have. So your saying that an open differential is not completely useless on trails.

IZwack · November 29, 2006

Big Red said:
I do very minor off-roading. I have not actually gone out and done major trails and don't know whether I would do that yet. But for now I get into some mud every now and then and of course I want the truck safe for snowy conditions, and soon!

your truck is "safe" for snowy conditions as it is. My Civic is "safe" in snow conditions too

Just know your surroundings, understand what your truck can do, and you wont have a problem.

Big Red · November 29, 2006

So for right now all I need to do is get new locking hubs. And I can really decide wether to get manual or auto. And after I get new locking hubs I should have regular 4WD as long as the hubs are engaging, right?

first ever 3WD Explorer!?!?

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