4x4 Problem - HELP!!!!!!!!!

[swinedog]

Hi All from Scotland,

I bought my 97 Explorer Auto a couple of weeks ago and all seemed cool until the other day when I decided to flip the switch to 4x4High. This was OK until I tried parking in 4x4High and applied full steering lock when a groan came from underneath and it felt like the brakes had been applied - it just stoped. When I switched 4x4 off, there was a huge clunk and all freed up again.

I took it to my local Ford agent (maybe a mistake in itself I don't know) and they reckoned that it is a problem with the transfer box.

The vehicle has covered 16,000 miles and never off-road (which is why I bought it) - I suspect that the 4x4 system has actually never been used although I don't know that for sure.

Please someone help - I haven't had a chance to look into the mechanics of Explorers yet.

Also if anyone has any info on the Firestone tyre recall in the UK I'd be grateful - I'm running on Firestone Wilderness AT's at present and I know that these have been replaced in the USA by a recall.

Thanks guys.

Chris.

 

[Robert]

Unless the parking lot you were trying to park on was dirt, don't try it again! You can not run in 4x4 High or Low on pavement for very long before you will need expensive new parts. High and low locks your front and rear differentials together. When you turn, your front wheels need to be able to turn at a different speed than your rear wheels since they take a different path. On slippery surfaces (dirt, mud, snow, sand) your front or rear tires are able to slip (spin) as you make the turn. On pavement (asphalt) there is too much traction to allow for the wheels to slip. Expensive parts will break instead. Use Auto any time you are on asphalt/pavement unless you have a lot of money to waste.

 

[IgotTwo]

Tire recall: Do you try Ford's web site..l.... why not go to the source?l

 

[Michigander]

Hey Robert... I thought that only was only a problem if you had lockers, which he wouldn't have. If it is a open front diff, they should be able to spin at any speed they need to, thus not causing much wear.

 

[jimbo74]

Originally posted by Michigander
Hey Robert... I thought that only was only a problem if you had lockers, which he wouldn't have. If it is a open front diff, they should be able to spin at any speed they need to, thus not causing much wear.

nope.... robert is right... i wanted to test my 4x4 last week and put it into high.... the thing wouldnt turn without spining my tires... i knew it worked........ this cluncking and inability to turn indicates that it was working PROPERLY...

 

[Robert]

Originally posted by Michigander
Hey Robert... I thought that only was only a problem if you had lockers, which he wouldn't have. If it is a open front diff, they should be able to spin at any speed they need to, thus not causing much wear.

Not having a locker in the front only allows for the two front tires to turn at independant speeds from each other, not from the rear. The front driveshaft is still locked to the rear driveshaft which forces at least one front tire to turn at the same exact speed as one rear tire (if no locker, both if the rear has a locker). It all depends on the way the torque gets distributed, but the main thing is when both of your driveshafts are locked together by being in High or Low you have to be on a loose enough surface to allow for the slipping. That is why trying to make a sharp turn in the snow while in High will cause your front end to plow forward. At least one of your front tires is slipping, thus not getting any traction. If you have a locker in the front, it only makes matters worse when making sharp turns in High. Both front tires need to slip as opposed to just one.

 

[Michigander]

Thanks, that's good to know

 

[swinedog]

Thanks

Thanks to Robert and everyone else for the help - I understand now and won't try it again on tarmac.

Your help is appreciated.

Regards to all.

Chris

 

[cnapierala]

How many miles are on it? My u-joints were bad and it did something similar to what you are saying. It seezed up especially when taking corners and it made noise going down the road. You can somewhat check these by getting under the vehicle and twisting the drive shaft to each wheel. Take note on where the play is coming from. Thats all i can offer.

Good luck

 

[DannyD28]

I dont think this will help but I will share anyway... A few weeks back my father and I were shopping for a new explorer, looking at 95's and 96's mostly. We test drove MANY explorers when we were looking for the right one. One of the ones we drove when you tried to turn in 4x4 high it would like make horrible noises and hardly turn. So we assumed it might be something wrong with the differential or somthing of the sort. We get back to the dealer and tell the guy what it was doing, He then claims that they all bind up like that in 4x4. We had test driven many and never had this happen before, so we told him that if he let us try one of the other 95' explorers he had on the lot with less miles, we would feel better about it. We drove another that was completely identical except it had about 40,000 less miles, didnt bind up at all. Needless to say we believed the salesman was lieing, so we left. I have now heard from other people that 4x4s may bind when turning on asphalt, But yet some dont. I really dont know, but I thought id share a little story with you all...later.

 

[swinedog]

Guys,

The latest is - the dealer's Service Manager phoned to say that Ford issued a technical bulletin about this 'apparent' problem which is located inside the transfer case - I told the guy about Robert's post and he agreed that with the front and rear diffs locked the front wheels would have a hard time on the road but Ford insist that there may be a problem.

The last word was that the dealer was expecting a police Explorer in for service today and he would try it to see what it dioes in 4x4High at low speed on the road - I'll let y'all know.

What do all the other 'permanent' 4x4's do.

They reckon that the repair costs about £350 (500 bucks) - mine is under warranty so I might just have it done and see what difference it makes.

Later.

Chris

 

[swinedog]

Originally posted by IgotTwo
Tire recall: Do you try Ford's web site..l.... why not go to the source?l

Done tried the US site but no mention of the UK - the UK web site doesn't even acknowledge the existance of the Explorer as a model !!!!

 

[Robert]

The TSB (97-21-15) that deals with shuttering, and tightness in turns occures in the Auto mode. If your Auto mode is not reacting the same way, then applying the TSB will probably have little to no effect. Here is part of the TSB (I have also included part of the text from an earlier TSB (97-3-14) that deals with shuddering transfercase that explains that it is normal in High and Low):

"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."


"Transfer Case Shudder or Binding Diagnostics
Article No.
97-3-14

02/03/97

TRANSFER CASE - BINDING OR SHUDDER -
DIAGNOSTICS - VEHICLES WITH 4.0L ENGINE -
SERVICE TIP

LIGHT TRUCK:
1995-97 EXPLORER

ISSUE:
The diagnostic procedure for binding or shudder from transfer case in slow, tight turns while in 4 Auto mode may be inaccurate for some vehicles.

ACTION:
Diagnose transfer case binding or shudder concerns using the following Diagnostic Procedure.

DIAGNOSTIC PROCEDURE

1997 EXPLORER

1. Test drive the vehicle in 4 Auto, 4 High and 4 Low. Evaluate the vehicle in each of these modes. The vehicle should bind in turns in both 4 High and 4 Low, but not in 4 Auto. The 4 High mode is intended for severe winter weather or off-road driving only. It is not intended for use on dry or merely wet pavement."

 

[swinedog]

Just more thanks

Originally posted by Robert
The TSB (97-21-15) that deals with shuttering, and tightness in turns occures in the Auto mode. If your Auto mode is not reacting the same way, then applying the TSB will probably have little to no effect. Here is part of the TSB (I have also included part of the text from an earlier TSB (97-3-14) that deals with shuddering transfercase that explains that it is normal in High and Low):

"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."


"Transfer Case Shudder or Binding Diagnostics
Article No.
97-3-14

02/03/97

TRANSFER CASE - BINDING OR SHUDDER -
DIAGNOSTICS - VEHICLES WITH 4.0L ENGINE -
SERVICE TIP

LIGHT TRUCK:
1995-97 EXPLORER

ISSUE:
The diagnostic procedure for binding or shudder from transfer case in slow, tight turns while in 4 Auto mode may be inaccurate for some vehicles.

ACTION:
Diagnose transfer case binding or shudder concerns using the following Diagnostic Procedure.

DIAGNOSTIC PROCEDURE

1997 EXPLORER

1. Test drive the vehicle in 4 Auto, 4 High and 4 Low. Evaluate the vehicle in each of these modes. The vehicle should bind in turns in both 4 High and 4 Low, but not in 4 Auto. The 4 High mode is intended for severe winter weather or off-road driving only. It is not intended for use on dry or merely wet pavement."

Robert,

I think this says it all - my Explorer is fine in 4x4 Auto.

Thanks again for you help - its greatly appreciated.

Chris

 

[gijoecam]

Just an additional vote of confidence that everything is working as it's supposed to... For the same reasons Robert mentioned... the front wheels must travel farther (and therefore faster) than the rears when cornering. Therefore, the front driveshaft must turn farther than the rear driveshaft. When it's locked in 4 wheel drive (hi or low) the difference in driveshaft speeds caused the driveline to bind up. Like they said, bug bucks if something breaks. On loose surfaces, the tires can slip as necessary to relieve this stress.

The big clunk you heard/felt was the transfer case disengaging with all the tension on it. Not good for it, but it worked.

The TSB only applies for vehicles that do that while in Auto mode.

As a note: on the 95 and newer trucks, engage 4-low occasionally just to keep the shifter motor free. Lack of use can cause it to either not engage (when you need it, of course) or prevent it from disengaging (heading home from the trail at a 25 mph max speed stinks!). 4 hi simply engages the clutch in the transfer case... not a unit that would easily freeze up from lack of use anyways.

-Joe-

 

[swinedog]

Originally posted by gijoecam
Just an additional vote of confidence that everything is working as it's supposed to... For the same reasons Robert mentioned... the front wheels must travel farther (and therefore faster) than the rears when cornering. Therefore, the front driveshaft must turn farther than the rear driveshaft. When it's locked in 4 wheel drive (hi or low) the difference in driveshaft speeds caused the driveline to bind up. Like they said, bug bucks if something breaks. On loose surfaces, the tires can slip as necessary to relieve this stress.

The big clunk you heard/felt was the transfer case disengaging with all the tension on it. Not good for it, but it worked.

The TSB only applies for vehicles that do that while in Auto mode.

As a note: on the 95 and newer trucks, engage 4-low occasionally just to keep the shifter motor free. Lack of use can cause it to either not engage (when you need it, of course) or prevent it from disengaging (heading home from the trail at a 25 mph max speed stinks!). 4 hi simply engages the clutch in the transfer case... not a unit that would easily freeze up from lack of use anyways.

-Joe-

Joe,

Thanks for the tip, I'll give it a whirl now and then - with the front wheels straight ahead !!

Cheers.

Chris