sfbayjay
Well-Known Member
- Joined
- January 22, 2008
- Messages
- 107
- Reaction score
- 3
- City, State
- Cleveland-ish, OH
- Year, Model & Trim Level
- 2002 XLT SOHC 4L V6
My 2002 Explorer XLT has a "shudder" when turning left or right at low speed. Feels like it's in 4WD, but it's not -- it's in "Auto". Gas mileage (highway) is holding steady at about 20.5 mpg, so I'm fairly certain I'm not "stuck" in 4WD.
This shudder only happens at low speeds, like when pulling out of a parking place. I only feel it when I'm accelerating -- once I lift my foot of the gas, the shudder stops. I feel it mainly in my hands, coming through the steering wheel, and I can hear it, too. It SEEMS to be coming from the front, but then I read here in the forums that even though it may feel like it's coming from the front, it's probably the LS rear differential. (http://www.explorerforum.com/forums/showthread.php?t=156709&highlight=low+speed+shudder+turning)
I am going test the integrity of the clutch packs as recommended in post number 5 of this thread: http://www.explorerforum.com/forums/showthread.php?t=215754&highlight=clutch+packs
So here's the meat of my question:
I recently (6,000 miles ago) changed my rear diff fluid and added a friction modifier. I used Mobile-1 75w-140 synthetic gear oil and a friction modifier called Trans-X Posi-Trac Limited Slip Gear Oil Additive (http://www.crcindustries.com/auto/content/prod_detail.aspx?PN=402508&S=N). Got the modifier from AutoZone. It came in a 7-oz tube. Before changing, I read that you should use only 4 oz. of friction modifier, so I didn't use the whole 7 ounces. Now I realize that Ford's XL-3 modifier comes in 4-oz. containers. So... ...maybe I should have put all 7 oz. of the Trans-X stuff in? I NEVER had this shudder problem before I changed the diff fluid. It started happening about 1000 miles ago.
So should I:
(1) Add more of the Trans-X friction modifier to the rear diff?
(2) Add Ford's friction modifier to the rear diff? (would it hurt to mix Ford's goop with the Trans-X goop?)
(3) Change rear diff fluid again and use Ford's XL-3 modifier?
Any advice much appreciated! Keeping my fingers crossed that the clutch packs aren't toast...
Thanks a million! Gotta love this forum!
This shudder only happens at low speeds, like when pulling out of a parking place. I only feel it when I'm accelerating -- once I lift my foot of the gas, the shudder stops. I feel it mainly in my hands, coming through the steering wheel, and I can hear it, too. It SEEMS to be coming from the front, but then I read here in the forums that even though it may feel like it's coming from the front, it's probably the LS rear differential. (http://www.explorerforum.com/forums/showthread.php?t=156709&highlight=low+speed+shudder+turning)
I am going test the integrity of the clutch packs as recommended in post number 5 of this thread: http://www.explorerforum.com/forums/showthread.php?t=215754&highlight=clutch+packs
So here's the meat of my question:
I recently (6,000 miles ago) changed my rear diff fluid and added a friction modifier. I used Mobile-1 75w-140 synthetic gear oil and a friction modifier called Trans-X Posi-Trac Limited Slip Gear Oil Additive (http://www.crcindustries.com/auto/content/prod_detail.aspx?PN=402508&S=N). Got the modifier from AutoZone. It came in a 7-oz tube. Before changing, I read that you should use only 4 oz. of friction modifier, so I didn't use the whole 7 ounces. Now I realize that Ford's XL-3 modifier comes in 4-oz. containers. So... ...maybe I should have put all 7 oz. of the Trans-X stuff in? I NEVER had this shudder problem before I changed the diff fluid. It started happening about 1000 miles ago.
So should I:
(1) Add more of the Trans-X friction modifier to the rear diff?
(2) Add Ford's friction modifier to the rear diff? (would it hurt to mix Ford's goop with the Trans-X goop?)
(3) Change rear diff fluid again and use Ford's XL-3 modifier?
Any advice much appreciated! Keeping my fingers crossed that the clutch packs aren't toast...
Thanks a million! Gotta love this forum!