1999 Explorer AWD? with leaky front Diff

[Gelpack]

Hello just bought my truck, and on trip, 1500 kilometers away from home. The front diff is leaking oil from around yoke seal and smelling up everything. Can I remove front drive-shaft and somehow unplug electrical to stop front end from engaging on hi-way in extreme snowy conditions? And stop pinion use? Can I seal the leak externally? Or just fill the Diff and drive back. HELP! Can not find a Haynes repair manual. Sounds like t/c is going, bang in rear on start off. $@#^ ME!

 

[jremington59]

It's probably one of the seals where the axle shafts go in. You can't "unplug" an AWD. Are the tires all the same size?

I wouldn't be driving it 900 miles with that problem. At the very least fill the front diff back up. How bad is it pouring out?

 

[SoNic67]

AWD is always engaged. Removing the front driveshaft will damage the central differential (some call it Transfer Case, but that's for 4x4).
Check the tire sizes - as indicated in the manual, they have to be identical, inflated at the same pressure. Fill back the differential is not that hard...

Also, bang in rear is not the CD/TC, is the rear shaft's slip yoke.

 

[Gelpack]

leak is coming from seal behind yoke on diff. connecting driveshaft to t/c or central Diff. The tires are all the same size and tread depth. I will attach the shaft and fill diff and head home. don't have time or tools for crush seals etc. to repair. wish me luck.
Thank you

 

[Gelpack]

leak is coming from seal behind yoke on diff. connecting driveshaft to t/c or central Diff. The tires are all the same size and tread depth. I will attach the shaft and fill diff and head home. don't have time or tools for crush seals etc. to repair. wish me luck.
Thank you

I have no manuals for it. The 4x4 switch says; Auto, 4x4H, 4x4L, does this mean Part-Time 4x4?

 

[SoNic67]

That's not AWD then (AWD does not have a button, is always 'on'), is a 4x4 and on 'Auto' is practically 2WD (rears). Until you run on slippery snow...
What I said before applied to the true AWD.

 

[Gelpack]

Thanks SoNic67, that clears up the 4x4/AWD issue, my first 4x4 and I was unsure how the power was split. the Auto feature had me thinking.
Great site!

 

[lorraine1]

if you own an explorer this is the best site on the web bar none.