4 X 4 TRANS PROBLEMS, HELP!!!

[97 X-PLOR]

I just recently purchaced a 97 Explorer, with the auto
4 x 4. The problem is when I put the 4x4 in low or high range. I hear a loud clunking and/or thumping noise, which in turn shakes the whole vehical. It happens when I turn the wheel mainly left or right. Any help greatly appriciated.

 

[FMNavajo]

97 X-Plor,
I have a 92' but when you engage your 4x4 are you in a place were the front tires can slip? If not you'll probably get some serious vibration because the front differential gears and wheel hubs are binding!!, don't do this, it can cause some real damage. If you want to test your 4x4 get to a place that has at least gravel so your tires can have some spin.

As for the noise when engaging it might be the Universal joints either in the axle or driveshaft, but it's a 97', take it back to the dealer and ask if that's normal. Or someone with a newer explorer might be able to assist.

Hope this helps,
FM

 

[TPLYNCH]

You should hear a cluck when engaging 4x4 low. Like FM said, if you are testing hi & low on pavement or solid ground, you will get binding from the driveline, especially when you turn because the front & rear tires are locked to turn at the same speed. When turning you are changing the amount of rotation between front and back. If the front wheels can't slip easily to reduce the binding, it will bang and clunk when all the pressure builds up and is finally released with a big bang! Moral of the story.... DON'T engage 4x4 on hard, non slick surfaces. This includes wet pavement!

 

[97 X-PLOR]

I know not to engage the 4 wheel drive on hard or wet-
hard surfaces. The noise comes in when on soft dirt or grass. The clunking goes with the tire rotation. Every time it clunks the front and steering wheel shakes. The sound is very loud. I took the vehical to Ford, and a trans tech told me he had one other vehical do almost(or the same) the same thing,a mountainer. He said he has been working there for 7 years and this is the second he has ever heard. The truck only has 48,000 miles. It is under warranty from the place I bought it from. I was just wondering if anyone else had this problem.

 

[TPLYNCH]

97 X-PLOR,

You will always have some noise from up front even the surfaces you describe, but they shouldn't be as loud or abrupt as they would on hard surfaces. You don't have the notorious Auto-hubs, so chances are it could be the U-joints. They may be bad, or you might just need a good lube job. Do you know whether the prior owner ever used the 4x4? If not, some parts may have frozen with time. If so, did he use it under the wrong conditions?

 

[97 X-PLOR]

The truck is at the trans shop (under warranty) and the
tech told me the problem is in the transfer case. I heard
the transfer case is very expensive.

 

[97 X-PLOR]

the dealership does not want to fix! 1500+ dollars

 

[TPLYNCH]

If you have a warranty, then they should have no choice! If they refuse, demand they take the truck back and refund your money. Alco, contact the BBB in your area. You may also want to try the Ford Customer Service # (if you bought from a Ford Dealer). Don't take no for an answer. Badger them daily until they fix it, FREE!

 

[97 X-PLOR]

dealership has my truck for three weeks. Giving me the run around! what should I do?

 

[BH]

I'm having the same problem with mine. Mine is not moving out of 4WD like it's supposted to. It's supposted to do it automatically. Mine is also lurching when you take off from a stop. It's been in the shop since monday. I didn't take it to a dealer. I suppose I should check and see if it's still under warrenty, but last time I was in the dealer theyt said it expired.

 

[97 X-PLOR]

do these things always give driveline problems?

 

[NoBoundaries]

It sounds like it is just the normal clunking you get when you turn a wheel in 4wd. The front tires are trying to turn faster then the rear tires, the surface is not slick enough to let the front and rear turn at the same rate. Slip differentials and lockers are used to keep this from happeing, unfortunately, none are made for front independent suspension.

As for the fact that the repair person has only seen it one other time, I have another simple answer for that. He has only seen it one time because 90% of SUV's never see 4wd, let alone 4wd low. No one knows what four wheel drive low is used for, so they never engage it. And as for the percentage, 90% of SUV's are never used offroad. You figure that that 10% who may just attempt to put their vehicle in 4wd low, will be the few who experience this happening, and even some may understand already why it would happen. Spread that 10% (or less) across the country, and you will find that very few mechanics will have been asked questions about such an occurence.

4wd low is not really meant for situations like soft dirt and grass. In such situations, 4wd high can keep you vehicle in control just fine (And even 2wd can as well), but you can still get some cluncking on turns. What 4wd high can't control, usually 4wd low is the best thing. When you are forging deep water, going down a snowy hill (Put in 4wd low and idle down the hill) and other such extreme situations where you need more traction then just 4wd high.

As for the lurching, I haven't heard about that and I would have that checked.

Hope this helps.