4wd noises - help

[Bluespear]

Hi guys, hope you can help with this:

I have a 97/P Ex - 4.0 SOHC, 95,000 miles. I know the 4wd hi & 4wd low worked last year, but with winter coming i'm worried that its toast ...

A few weeks back I tried to use 4wd hi in a wet muddy field. The dash lit up as normal but I only had drive at the rear. I was towed out by a tractor ( how embarrassing !! ) and started to head home, forgetting that it was still in 4wd hi. About 200 yards down the road there was a "gnashing" noise from underneath. I stopped immediately, switched it back to Auto then drove home with no noises.

Assuming that the noise was from the transfer case, have I wrecked it or is there a simple explanation ??

Having cast my inexpert eye over the underside there are no signs of leaks, damage or anything obviously missing / out of place. The 4wd hi & lo lights flash on & off periodically - maybe that's relevant.

The car appears to have been main dealer serviced until 2007 / 65,000 miles, but no history since then. I bought it from " an Explorer specialist" in Aylesbury, who had done the cam chain guide mod & general service.
So its due for a service now inc diffs & tranny fluid/filter.

Any advice would be appreciated.

TIA
Gary

 

[janolsson]

Hi gary
the sound you heard could just be wind up. May be worth taking it back to a field and trying the 4w low. Remember that you have to be in neutral to put in low. If that works then test out 4w hi
If you don't want to risk getting stuck then you could find a gravel carpark and test. I did this in a straight line to avoid any windup issues when i wanted to test mine.
If it is toast you could prob get a used one for not too much (has to be one from 96 or 97 or even pre facelift 98 with the speed sensor on it. 98 on they moved this sensor to the rear axle) and it's not that big a job to fit yourself. Chris quelch is near portsmouth and he may have one he can sell you but you would have to pick it up.
Justin at explorerpartsuk (on ebay) would also be a good source but the shipping would cost(heavy buggers) and he is in Newport or lastly Duncanofengland (the guy in Aylesbury) may be willing to supply one
Hope its not toast for you tho
HTH
Jan

 

[jcasey007]

The grinding noise is most likley caused by a lazy actuator motor on the transfer box that belateidly moved the selector after you had got moving.

the tips of the teeth on the selector ring may have been 'modified' which may make selecting it again a bit hit and miss but once the selector is fully engaged it should hold fast.

I would actuate the 4x4 high in and out a few times listening for the clunk when engaging to get the motor moving a few times, then do as Jan says

cheers

J

 

[chrisquelch]

hi as jim and jan say try it a few times as the selector and selector motor get stiff from lack of use. cheers chris

 

[Bluespear]

Thank you Jim, Jan, Chris.

Much appreciated, I'll try that & repost my findings.

I also have some other questions but I'll use a new thread for those.

Thanks,
Gary

 

[Neil Tucker]

Gary,

I had the same thing a few weeks ago and shrieked awfully at the noises I ws getting even on 4x4 hi, which I had previously (sucessfully) engaged even at speed. Cycling the switch a few times did the trick, handbrake on, go through each step progressively and tehn back to auto.

On about the 3rd or 4th cycle into low <clunck> and in she went.

I thought to myself, maybe its been so long in Auto, that i needed to remind The Beast how to do it

Neil

 

[Bluespear]

I tried cycling through the 3 settings today several times - still no 4wd !!!
I get a big clunk when it goes into "low", and noise going back to "hi" but its still only driving the rear wheels.

when I have enough time & daylight i'll get under & make sure the wiring is connected. Should I get a warning light on the dash if it's not right?

oh god, another thought ..... what if a previous owner disconnected something cos it was kaput & I haven't been told ??

 

[jcasey007]

Justin in Newport does a 2wd conversion by modding the transfer box, maybe yours has been doctored?

 

[Neil Tucker]

Maybe give Justin a call just to isolate it?

 

[jcasey007]

worth a try, I think it is an internal mod so not easy to tell

 

[Neil Tucker]

Just to let you know....my troubles are back

Straight line slow speed, in low and high, clunking like mad and feels like ts driving against the pull of a bungee.

Typical eh, the bad weather comes, just when I need 4x4 and it looks lake the transfer case is toast

poo