99 Explorer Transfer case

[Paul Gagnon]

That is normal in slippery conditions or low traction situations. If it is dry it should not do that. If it is doing that when it is dry, you should take it in to the dealer and have it checked.

The way the power is transfered to the front diff bugs me so I often put it into 4 High when the road is a little bit icy or snow covered just so I don't have to listen to or feel it.

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Paul Gagnon
Calgary, Alberta
"No Brain, No Pain"
Dead Link Removed

 

[Tom Wilk]

This can happen on dry ground if your rear tires want to break loose. I've had it happen when I stomp on it. What engine and rear axle ratio do you have? You may be seeing the start of some wheelspin when you push it.

The control trac system inputs several conditions for its logic including rear wheel spin, throttle position, and even steering angle. I would venture to say that a very heavy foot might incrementally engage the front axle even without wheelspin, though I'm not sure.

I normally can't break my rear end loose on dry ground, probably because the transfer case always engages if I punch it. And it does scoot, no bogging off the line, so it doesn't seem to be a lack of power.

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Tom
99 Sport 4x4
SOHC
Auburn Rear & Gerald's old Shackles

 

[Henry Fung]

When in Auto and at a standstill, is the driveline clunking sounds normal when the truck is transferring power to the front axle when accelerating hard from a stop?

 

[Henry Fung]

Thanks for the prompt response to my porblem. Sorry I didn't give more details. I have a SOHC v6 with 4.10 axle and auto tranny and my problem occurs mainly when the conditions are somewhat slippery (snow covered, wet) I do believe that if I tramp on the accelerator in dry conditions, it does occur as well. The Owner's manual mentions applying power smoothly when stuck and does mention this annoying sound, however I needed a clearer idea of whether or not it is normal. Thanks again.

 

[Paul Gagnon]

Hmmmm, about that smoothly part.....

I have driven 13 1997-2000 Control Trac equipped Explorers in the last 3 1/2 years. Of those 12 were rentals but I had each of them for at least a month. I have had a '98 for two years now. Of all these Explorers I have yet to find one that "applies power smoothly" to the the front differential when in auto mode. It is annoying but nothing to worry about. I particularly don't like the power transfer to the front when on icy roads going around the corner of in an intersection. The power transfer upsets the balance of the truck. The best thing is to leave it in 4High until the roads are clear of ice and snow. Ideally, Ford would make a four position switch and 2wd could be used in semi slippery conditions like rain. That would get rid of a lot of the unwanted clunking and banging.

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Paul Gagnon
Calgary, Alberta
"No Brain, No Pain"
Dead Link Removed

 

[Tom Wilk]

Paul,

At the risk of changing the direction of this thread, I'll say that I agree that there should be a 4 position switch. The front does engage quickly, though I haven't found it to be too jerky except when the road surface has patches of slippery and dry pavement. If I'm accelerating over such a patch, the front will engage rather harshly, as the rears start to spin. It's hard to tell if some of this abrupt action is from the rear tires digging through to the pavement under the snow or not, since I don't always hear the transfer case operating (though I can't imagine these Firestones digging through anything).

I've been experimenting with the auto vs. 4-Hi positions in the snow, and I tend to like Auto so far when cruising, except when the streets are completely covered. If the streets are covered with a couple of inches or more, 4-Hi seems to be the way to go. I don't really want to be locked in 4-Hi if most of the pavement is clear.

The auto is very helpful in the rain, where I don't notice engagement of the front, but the traction is just there. At times, I know darn well that I would be spinning the back tires if it weren't for the transfer case engaging the front axle. The limited slip is very helpful as well in all these situations. I just haven't yet made any hard rules regarding which way to use the 4wd.

I can't wait to try all this stuff out in the dirt this spring.

Getting back to what Henry is talking about, I also have the SOHC engine with 4.10 gears. I'm certain that there is ample power to break the rear tires loose with a little extra throttle on dry ground. In these cases, the transfer case engagement is quick and smooth (I can't feel it happen, it just does). So, I would call it normal.

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Tom
99 Sport 4x4
SOHC
Auburn Rear & Gerald's old Shackles

 

[Paul Gagnon]

Maybe it is just me with my heavy right foot. Dead Link Removed That may be why I don't think the power transfer is smooth.

I do not like Auto because it is unpredictable and takes control away from the driver. I would rather have the rear wheels spin a little bit than have the Auto setting. At least if I get wheel spin I know that I have reached the limits of traction. And the truck will react in a predictable way EVERY TIME. Now before anyone goes telling me that maybe I don't know how to drive, I used to drive my 300hp 5.0L Mustang all year round, rain, sun and snow. In the 6 years that I drove it as my daily driver, only once did I lose control on an icy road and that was because I was goofing around and I expected it to break loose.

With the power transfer of the Auto setting, it is not predictable. Sure you can figure out what conditions it will cause it to engage but it does not always react the same way. In turns on icy roads, it will try to bring the rear around, so you correct by turning the wheel, then all of a sudden it throws power to the front (very quickly and rather violently on ice) and with the correction you have made for the slide, pulls you in the opposite direction. In 2wd you would correct with the steering wheel, in 4wd it would not be an issue(unless you were flooring it, but you would correct the same way) in Auto you can guess at what it will do but you are never quite sure of how much correction it will need.

I drive an awful lot on gravel roads and muddy service roads, and in the winter, snowy and icy roads. I use 4wd quite a bit, occasionally in the summer, at least 2 or three times a week in the spring and fall, and just about every day in the winter. I use 4wd more on my unmodified '98 than I do on my highly modified '92. Three years ago I had an Expedition that I drove for four months. I put 20,000km on it in that time. I never used the Auto setting. A four position switch would give the driver more choices and allow them to select the setting based upon their particular driving style, road conditions and personal preferences. By having only an Auto position, the choice is made for you already, by some marketing study.

I don't like handing over control to the truck. I think that auto may be great for some people, it is probably a comfort for them to know that the truck will compensate. BUT, (and this is a big but) relying on the vehicle to correct your mistakes, creates drivers who are never quite prepared for what the road will throw at them. Now This gets into a whole other debate that if we are going to have it should be in a different topic.


The only way to truly solve this issue is with a four position switch, and Ford does not seem to want to deliver what its customers want on this issue. The four position switch on the Expedition was great and now they have done away with that as well.

There are so many compromises trying to get car people to buy these trucks that sacrifice the actual functionality of the truck. What will happen when all the people who are currently buying SUVs(and have been duped by agressive marketing) realize that they actually wanted a four wheel drive station wagon? Many of them do realize it but they paid $35,000 for this uncomfortable innefficiant truck and they are stuck with it. Will the trucks be so diluted that they are no longer worth buying? I hope not but it seems that, that has already happened. Now you have got me going and I have gone off on a tangent. Dead Link Removed




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Paul Gagnon
Calgary, Alberta
"No Brain, No Pain"
Dead Link Removed


[This message has been edited by Paul Gagnon (edited 02-12-2000).]

 

[Tom Wilk]

Paul,

I do agree about having the choice; there's times that I wish I had a plain 2wd position. I think that our driving habits are a bit different, but I can definately see what you are saying about it being unpredictable. If I get in the mood to drive with a little enthusiasm, I would not want the 4wd engaging at its own whim. But, most of my driving in winter weather tends to be rather sedate these days (most of the time).

The roads around here are all paved, and they do a great job of keeping them clear (way too good in my opinion). So, for the most part, I avoid 4-Hi only to prevent drive line binding. Cleveland is the road-salt capital of the world, unfortunately.

Regarding the Mustang, I had a '90 5.0, and it was about the worst thing I ever drove in the snow. It was also the best car I ever had in the summer. Those wide tires just didn't cut it, and I wasn't able to have a winter set. It sat in the garage most winters, except for the occasional drive when the roads were dry.

BTW, I wasn't trying to disagree with you. Dead Link RemovedMy comment on the 4wd-Auto being "smooth" was meant to imply that it wasn't really noticable on dry ground when I crack open the throttle. On patchy ice, it does happen abruptly, as you stated.

One other interesting thing while we're talking about winter driving - This limited slip that I have has given me the ability to get sideways even in 4-hi. It's pretty neat. All the traction benefits of 4wd along with the thrill of being able to steer with the throttle. Dead Link Removed Just ease into a little extra throttle in the middle of a snowy turn, and the rear will drift to the side, just like the old days. The only difference is that the 4wd will pull it through the turn nicely along with the oversteer. I haven't tried to do a donut yet. Dead Link Removed

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Tom
99 Sport 4x4
SOHC
Auburn Rear & Gerald's old Shackles

[This message has been edited by Tom Wilk (edited 02-13-2000).]