'02 Explorer in the Shop... 4x4 Issues ?

[CobraGT40]

OK,
I fianally got my '02 Explorer in the shop to address what I thought was wheel bearings. It would grumble while starting out around a corner, either way you turn. It would also have another issue which I believe to be related...When you come off the highway and get into town, there would be a bit of banging which seemed to come from the rear or center of the truck...
I removed the #17 & #18 fuses from the panel under the hood, disabling the 4x4. The banging noise stopped completely, but there's still the grumbling when taking off from a stop and making a turn.

I talked to my mech this morning and he doesn't believe it's the bearings, but some issue with the 4x4... Maybe stuck in 4x4 ?

Has anyone had this issue ? What was the prognosis, and what am I looking at for repairs ?

 

[CobraGT40]

I just talked to my mech... He says the bearings are fine, the grumbling sounds coming from the front end are due to diff lubricant not being added to the front differential last time it was serviced ? He said drive it around for a week or so and see if that fixed the problem.

Does this sound right ?

Scott

 

[Extremistno9]

I am not quite sure about the banging but I can't believe that you did not have fluid in your front differential. I am on my second '02 explorer and both have had differential issues in the rear.

The first one, I changed the fluid with the friction modifier and the shuttering or grumbling you are describing went away immediately. On my second one, I change the rear fluid using the same modifier as on the first one and it actually created the grumbling. So that is being changed with the Ford specific friction modifier.

So I would say that sounds somewhat right, from my experience. Just concerned as to why your front diff would have had any fluid. Not sure about the front though, if you were in 2H, why that would be making a noise if it was not engaged.

 

[CobraGT40]

I am not quite sure about the banging but I can't believe that you did not have fluid in your front differential. I am on my second '02 explorer and both have had differential issues in the rear.

The first one, I changed the fluid with the friction modifier and the shuttering or grumbling you are describing went away immediately. On my second one, I change the rear fluid using the same modifier as on the first one and it actually created the grumbling. So that is being changed with the Ford specific friction modifier.

So I would say that sounds somewhat right, from my experience. Just concerned as to why your front diff would have had any fluid. Not sure about the front though, if you were in 2H, why that would be making a noise if it was not engaged.

It had diff fluid, just not the friction modifier... I drove it home and noticed a difference. It still grumbles a bit on left turns, but my mech told me i should subside as I drive it around a little more. The banging seems to have ceased...but we'll see. Hopefully the problem is solved...I got a great deal on it and it's in excellent physical condition. I actually like driving it more than my lifted SuperDuty lol

 

[tower]

Why would the front need modifier?