2002 Mountaineer AWD 4.6 w/ Open Rear???

[MSM0075]

Well the chattering and locking up with my rear has finally gotten so bad its completly stopping on tight low speed turns. I ripped my rear out thinking that it was the common TSB, 'Clutch Pack'

I opend my cover after dropping it out of the car and I noticed my differentail is an open rear! No limited slip. Is this possible or did someone do a swaparoo before I purchased it at 32k miles??????

 

[rrgone]

What is the axle code on the vehicle sticker on the driver's door?

 

[jrford]

what hitch do you have? AWD class II had 3.55's for sure came with open diffs code 45.
If you had the tow package you should have gotten the LSD and 3.73's.

Interesting to note that sometime '06 or later it looks like they dropped the 3.73's when you got the 4.6L V8 and the tow package. I wonder if its LSD. . .

 

[zerodevil]

negative jr, the new gens have the 3.55 NLS...they can pull off the 3.55's with the same effect as the 3.73's in the old trans because of the short gears they have in the 6r60...but again, no limited slip in ANY of the new explorers.

 

[MSM0075]

I totally forgot about the code was listed on the door tag as well. It confirmed I have the 3.55 Open Rear. code 45. Class II/III hitch.

I put my differental back together and reinstalled it today.

What could be the problem with my lock up around tight turns at slow speeds???

Ford told me that it could be the tires. Beacuse on AWD models tires cannot be 1/4 different on tred dept circu.

So I rotated my tires. Still same exact problem.

What could be my problem???

 

[zerodevil]

there could be damage to one of the differentials...i had a ring and pinion go out on my first 03 (a v6 4x4 auto) literaly 15 miles after my warantee expired...did the lock & grind on sharp turns.

 

[jrford]

What could be the problem with my lock up around tight turns at slow speeds???

Ford told me that it could be the tires. Beacuse on AWD models tires cannot be 1/4 different on tred dept circu.

So I rotated my tires. Still same exact problem.

What could be my problem???

What the depth on the threads? One way is but the two tallest tire diagnoal from each other so that you have one tall and one short on each axle.

But regrefully it sounds like its the Viscous clutch in the transfercase. .if you pull the front drive shaft for testing (watch out it can roll in park with out it) and see if it stops. . .

 

[shadowless127]

what hitch do you have? AWD class II had 3.55's for sure came with open diffs code 45.
If you had the tow package you should have gotten the LSD and 3.73's.

Interesting to note that sometime '06 or later it looks like they dropped the 3.73's when you got the 4.6L V8 and the tow package. I wonder if its LSD. . .

Tow package for 04-05's are 3.73 NLS.

 

[MSM0075]

What the depth on the threads? One way is but the two tallest tire diagnoal from each other so that you have one tall and one short on each axle.

But regrefully it sounds like its the Viscous clutch in the transfercase. .if you pull the front drive shaft for testing (watch out it can roll in park with out it) and see if it stops. . .

Ill try disconnecting the front driveshaft for the heck of it. And make sure I use the parking brake. And I'll reply.

I'm getting a clunk noise in the front end when taking turns and sometimes accelerating from stop. Its not a consisiting knocking its just one or two kick sounds every once in awhile. I'm assuming its stress up front from the binding up on turns. Maybe half shaft? Seems like left front and I can feel it thru the stearing wheel.

I drove it today and noticed a weird whine & rattle noise before shifting from 2nd to 1st. Also when shifting from park to drive I get a weird creak noise.

On top of that I have an air bag light. reading LFC 33...

I tend to over analyse but its my wifes truck and we got it less than a year ago so I want to make sure shes safe.

Any information you guys could give me would be great.
Thank you so much,
Michael

 

[MSM0075]

If anyone could at least lead me in the right direction with any of my problems that would be great. I don't know where else to look, maybe transfercase?

 

[jrford]

it could be CV joints, and Viscous. You had the diff apart and so long as it looked OK, that should be eliminated.

I'd check all the CV joints for play up/down side/side if you haven't done so.

But other than that i best thing is to get it on a hoist with all four tires free and run it in gear. This would be similar to removing the drive shaft. if you can reproduce it its gotta be in the drivetrain, you might be able to pinpoint the noise too. If it doesn't do it, since the Viscous isnt under any load, i bet that's most likely bad. It sounds like it failing and not slipping like it should, it can failed locked up or unlocked.

One disclaimer is that these tests don't 'load up' the drivetrain or put it under power. . .

 

[MSM0075]

I give up.

I'm going to bring it to the stealership this week, I'll keep you guys posted on what happens.

 

[MSM0075]

Havn't gone to the dealer yet. I know I'll have to pay a good sum out of pocket so I'm holding off. Trying to diag. myself..

I changed the Transfer Case fluid, came out black. Nothing changed....

Any other advice would be great!

 

[MSM0075]

I disconnected the front drive shaft this afternoon and the truck is not locking up anymore or making that clunk noise on turns.

Also noticed the air bag light wasn't on.....weird??

Going to check the front end, axles ext. again. then into the transfer case i guess...

 

[MSM0075]

Wow..no responces...again...starting to feel like im writing in a blog rather than a fourm..

anywho, Like I mentined above I disconnected the driveshaft. Tonight I removed it from the car and took it for a test drive.

The chopping and binding around turns have went away, the clunk noise in the front went away when taking a turn. the whining ticking noise when slowing down/comming to a stop went away. and for some reason..air bag light is now off...How that happend I don't know.

 

[jrford]

i hate to be the one, but it sure sounds like the Viscous Clutch. Not a cheap part either.

Might want read up on Borg-Warner 4404 (i think that the one with viscous 1-speed).

 

[jrford]

i hate to be the one, but it sure sounds like the Viscous Clutch. Not a cheap part either.

Might want read up on Borg-Warner 4404 (i think that the one with viscous 1-speed).

 

[Mustang4mikey]

I actually have the same exact problem. I was told there is an issue with negative going to the transfercase. since I have ControlTrac aka Tourqe on Demand, the transfercase is locked up or stuck in 4wd mode.
removed the driveshaft and it drives like butter!!

 

[MSM0075]

Thanks for your replys guys. It makes scence if its the VC, jford. How much do they usually go for?? I just don't know yet if I want to rebuild myself, or just find a complete rebuilt transfer case. I definatlly don't want to take the chance with the junkyard being that it could have the same problem.

My wife is driving it again with the driveshaft removed. I just remind her all the time to use that emergency brake!! heh. Its so much smoother now without the knock up front and chopping/skipping around turns, and without the whine when comming to a stop. Its like a new truck again!!

Also. the air bag light came back on. I guess it was just a qauincidence(sp?) It reads LFC 33, which I've read is Passenger Side Air Bag Resistance High. Don't know what to do about that one...

 

[rrgone]

I have no idea if this will work, but a thought: Pour a bottle of friction modifer in the transfer case. Drive it for a few days and then reinstall the driveline. See if it frees up the clutch and stops crowhopping around corners. Can't hurt anything I guess.

BTW that's a BW 44-10 T-Case you have, it's just an updated BW 44-04 but they're different. I wouldn't necessarily be afraid of one from a salvage yard. They usually offer some warranty. Problems with the T-cases are rare so if you find one out of a low mileage vehicle it would probably be fine.

Good luck.