4x4 Binding

[Jason_25]

My truck feels like it's binding when in auto 4x4 while in a turn. It's like the front wheels are starting and stopping. Does anyone else have this problem?

 

[TarHeel085]

i dont know bout mine but ill tell ya tommorow when i go out in the snow! BTW how much snow you got?? we got about 3".

 

[Jason_25]

Well I live right on the river so we only have half an inch but I drove to Greenville and back tonight, and they have like four inches. I was plowing through solid snow on the road for miles on the way back.....

 

[93XLT105tr]

we got five at my house over in spartanburg, gonna have fun tomorrow with the new TSL Radial's...

 

[TPLYNCH]

Jason, you either have a bad speed sensor or your gem may need to be reprogrammed. The early auto 4x4's had that problem. Ford reprogrammed the computers to correct.

 

[Jason_25]

Thanks Tom, is there any way to test and see what is wrong? Or is this something that the dealer will have to fix?

 

[TarHeel085]

Jason: i didnt notice it today, but i didnt have it in 4wd drive very much at all. just auto, ill let ya know if i go out later.

 

['96explorereddiebauer]

Mine doesn't bind. We had 4"+ here in Winston-Salem and I drove through the heaviest snow last night and it worked great! I'm sure it's nothing, don't worry about it.

 

[JoshC]

Jason, mine does it too. I can really feel it if i'm going about 10-15 in second gear. It has just started since i put my locker in the rear, i thought it might have something to do with that, but i'd really like to get rid of it. Wouldn't the speed sensor give you some other kind of warning like faulty readings or not working, or the check engine light on? I have a new computer in mine because i had to since i now have a 5 speed, the gem is the same no matter what you have so i know it's right. I too am curious about this, i'll keep an eye on this, might talk to a friend at ford about it. Thanks!

Happy trailes!!

 

[Jason_25]

Originally posted by Jot017
Jason, mine does it too. I can really feel it if i'm going about 10-15 in second gear. It has just started since i put my locker in the rear, i thought it might have something to do with that, but i'd really like to get rid of it. Wouldn't the speed sensor give you some other kind of warning like faulty readings or not working, or the check engine light on? I have a new computer in mine because i had to since i now have a 5 speed, the gem is the same no matter what you have so i know it's right. I too am curious about this, i'll keep an eye on this, might talk to a friend at ford about it. Thanks!

Happy trailes!!

Man what a coincidence! I have a locker too. I also have a new computer as of 3 months ago, I would think it would already have the update. I would think if the speed sensor goes bad it would flash the 4x4 lights or something.

 

[X24]

this isnt really related but it sorta has something to do with the 4X4. i am going to put on a set of EB 16" wheels on my XLT. right now i have the 15" with 235/75/15. i have 255/65/16 on the EB's. the Outside diameter is only off by about .6% (.2"). the guy at ford said that if i put these rims on that it will mess up my ABS sensors and 4X4 sensors which could make it engage while driving. but i dont think that he knows im putting on a tire that is so close to the original OD. Am i really going to run into problems or do you think that this guy thinks im putting on bigger tires? is the OD the only thing that matters or does the rim size have something to do with it too?

 

[Jason_25]

The answers are no and no. Putting tires on that much larger make no difference. What about people on this site running with 35's? Their 4x4 doesn't engage going down the highway.

 

[Robert]

I went from a factory 255 70R16 (30.1) to 265 75R16 (31.7") and it had no affect on my ABS or 4x4. My 4x4 works just fine and my ABS will engage only if I stomp on the brakes on a loose surface.

 

[Jason_25]

Found it!

Shudder/Binding Sensation In Tight Turns In 4X4 Auto
Article No.
97-21-15

10/13/97

^ SHUDDER OR BINDING SENSATION - IN TIGHT
TURNS WHILE VEHICLE IS IN 4X4 AUTO MODE -
VEHICLES BUILT THROUGH APRIL 1997

^ TRANSFER CASE - SHUDDER/BINDING SENSATION
IN TIGHT TURNS WHILE VEHICLE IS IN 4X4 AUTO
MODE - VEHICLES BUILT THROUGH APRIL 1997

LIGHT TRUCK:
1995-97 EXPLORER
ISSUE:
A shudder or binding sensation in tight turns while in 4X4 Auto Mode may be experienced on some vehicles. The shudder is due to a high torque output from the clutch in some transfer cases.
ACTION:
Recalibrate the existing Generic Electronic Module (GEM) if the GEM is identified with engineering part number F77B-14B205-BB. The revised calibration commands a lower torque which allows the transfer case clutch to engage smoother so shudder or binding should not result. Refer to the following Service Procedure for details.
SERVICE PROCEDURE
Using Service Bay Diagnostic System (SBDS) machine, use the latest software release to recalibrate the GEM to command a lower minimum torque level from the transfer case. Follow the instructions below:

1. Select "Body, Chassis, Electrical" from the SBDS Main Menu.
2. Enter the Vehicle Identification Number (VIN) of the vehicle being serviced and continue to the "Body, Chassis, Electrical" menu.
3. Select "Module Reprogramming" under the "Category" scroll box, and "Module Reprogramming" under the "Tool" scroll box.
4. Follow all on-screen instructions, continue to "Module Reprogramming Procedure" screen and select "GEM Module, Shudder in 4X4 Auto Fix, 4X4 Auto Fix."
5. Again, continue and follow all on-screen instructions until the GEM module has been reprogrammed.
6. A copy of the log can now be printed to document what has been done to the vehicle.

If the new calibration does not satisfactorily resolve the concern, refer to TSB 97-3-14 for additional corrective actions.

 

[X24]

thats weird that that only goes through 1997. my 98 does it too.

 

[JoshC]

Well, looks like the problem, anyone know how much it costs to get the GEM reprogrammed or what ever you want to call it?

Happy trailes!!

 

[Robert]

I wouldn't think they should charge more than an hours labor. My local Ford dealers charge about $72 an hour. You have a valid arguement with them that might get it lowered also. Ford realized there was a problem with the GEM being too sensative so they corrected it. You shouldn't have to pay for their mistakes. Of course Ford's arguement would be something like it shouldn't have taken you 4 years to discover the problem therefore the problem hasn't always been there so you should pay for it. Either way it shouldn't cost too much. Of course if Ford tries selling you a new transfer case to fix it that's another story.

 

[JoshC]

Man, your ford dealer is high. They charge $58 where i'm at. I talked with the 2 guys in know at ford today and the one said that he has heard of that, said it takes about an hour. So might jump into that sometime, i'll let you know!

Happy trailes!!

 

[NedFlanders]

My truck was binding in 4auto to.. It was espessialy notiseable when I was turning, slippery or not.

I had my GEM reprogrammed right before Christmas, and I didn't pay anything at all. The mecanic said he gave me it for free on a "used car guaranee" or something, and that he had used only half an hour on it..
After that it's been much beter, I still feel the front engage when it's really slippery, but not in the same way as before at all. I also think it's become better in 4low. earlyer it felt like it was engaging and disengaging all the time, but now it feels much better...

Tale your truck to ford and talk to them, maybe they won't charge you eighter...(I brought a print of the binding-article jason posted above and showed them, to save a lot of error-searching..)

 

[bjoki]

Thanks a million Jason, I started having the binding/shuddering in 4 auto occasionally and gradually worsened. I brought it to a Ford garage and showed him the TSB you posted. They reprogrammed the computer and everything is now A-OK! Thanks again.
Brian