4wd problem-loud noise LF end then clunk

[cowtownkid]

help
I have a 94 sport 4x4 4.0 55000 miles I had some sliping problem 2 months ago in my back end. i had my rear diff. opened and found some damage- had clutch and both spider gears replaced. when I picked up my explorer I put it into 4wd and had a lot of clunking comming from the front end so I took it back. they told me my hubs needed to be replaced. I picked it up again to take to my uncle's place to have a look at it and as I was driving in 2wd all of a sudden I heard this noise. It was a loud "ZZZZZZ..." sound and it got faster and louder as I accelerated. All of a sudden there was a loud clunk at my feet and the noise was gone. It then came back so I stopped and pushed the 4wd button and then disengaged it. The sound was not there when I took off. I also had my front brakes done recently. can anyone help!!
Also my uncle told me my hubs were fine when he repacked the front bearings.
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94 sport 4x4 4.0

[This message has been edited by cowtownkid (edited 02-16-2000).]

 

[ExploreMinnesota]

Take a look at my post in the "clunking noise when cornoring" thread. This could be a front axle U-joint that has one of its axes frozen. The shop I talked to was sure it was my front hubs that had gone bad. Turns out the hubs are fine. The sticky U-joint caused the hub to partially lock in. That's the "ZZZZZZ" sound you heard. Don't continue driving when you hear that sound or you will be replacing your hubs.

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ExploreMinnesota
91 EB 4x4 Stock

 

[cowtownkid]

If I was to engage 4wd then it should be ok to drive to get it repaired! correct?

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94 sport 4x4 4.0

 

[murrajm5]

I have a '94 with 88k+ miles and I also have this noise that sounds like a twisted speedometer cable and then a clunk. What I have done so far was to push the 4wd button to engage and it stops. Then I take it back out of 4wd and its gone. Let me know if replacing your axle joints cures your problem because I think mine will be the same.

 

[ExploreMinnesota]

You should avoid driving it on dry, solid pavement while in four wheel drive. What you can do is engage the four wheel drive long enough to fully lock the hubs. Then drive it like that. After backing up, of course, you'll need to relock the hubs. The U-joints will loosen up after a few miles, but until then you may feel the steering wheel pull side to side when you turn. Be very careful driving while the U-joints are sticking like that. They can move the steering wheel with great force.

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ExploreMinnesota
91 EB 4x4 Stock

 

[FMExplorer]

Cowtownkid...
I had a '94 xlt in my previous life - before kids - and I had the same problem. Whenever I went in/out of 4WD I got that noise. What it turned out to be was a problem with the engaging system in the transfer case. The motor that engages the transfer case is nothing more than a glorified power window motor. I needed to clean mine out (actually, I let the mechanic who found the problem clean it) and the problem went away. Get it checked though - it can be pricey if your 4x4 doesn't work...

Jon M
'93 xlt

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Jon McLeod
'93 XLT

 

[socalexlorer]

I am not sure what protocol is on old postings but how do you unfreeze a u-joint?
I have the horrific 4x clunking-

Thanks
Rico

 

[D F Willy]

I have the same problem with my 91 explorer i hear a "zzzzzz" sound coming from underneath the truck, i re-did the rotors, recently and found the assembly nut on the right side ground up into 4 pieces, along with the hubs needing to be replaced, but i haven't had the money for some Warn manual locking hubs yet, but another weird thing was the 4x4 low won't come on at all, and the transfer case motor-that switches the gears is fine, i think the transfer case may be destroyed itself. Please tell me what happened to your explorer. dfwilly@hotmail.com