AWD problems.

[Fleetwood Mike]

First let me thank all you folks who share your knowledge with folks like me who can use the help. As a new member to this forum I can only say thanks!
My problem is with a '97 Ford Explorer XLT 5.0 L
My AWD does not engage. I noticed in this most recent snow that my front wheels don't engage. There is a noise that comes from the front left wheel that sounds like somethings turning but its not the wheel. Any ideas?
About a month ago my daughter took the Explorer out and when it returned there was alot of vibration to the front end. I had our mechanic look over the vehicle. He replaced some bushings and the rear U joint.
This reduced the vibration considerably however when the car reaches speeds around 50 it begins to vibrate . Thanks for the help!

 

[my pos mounty]

AWD does not "engage" so to speak. It is always on, always there. Power split about 60%to the rear and about 40% to the front. Turn your wheels to the right, look behind the left side front tire. Specifically look at the rubber boot on your CV joint. Is it ripped? Grease flying out inside your wheelwell? If so, your CV joint is gone. Check if the front driveshaft is there if you think the fronts are not working in conjunction with the rears.

As for your vibration.. could be a driveshaft, wheel balance, bad tire, bad U-joints, bad cv axles.. and the list goes on and on. Do you hear something turning corners? Going straight? Slowing? Accelerating? at high speed or always present? All of the above?

 

[BrooklynBay]

Welcome to this forum! I've moved your thread into the transmissions & transfer cases section.

 

[Fleetwood Mike]

Thanks, boots looked okay. I jacked the vehicle up yesterday. With the vehicle in park the left front wheel turned. I was surprised I had assumed that it would not turn.

As for the noise ( sounds like a shaft turning) it only happens when the tire encounters a slippery situation such as yesterdays snow or mud. Thanks!

 

[my pos mounty]

You have an AWD, and not a 4x4, correct? If you have an AWD, and you have just one side jacked up, you should not be able to turn any raised tire. Double check to see if your front driveshaft is there or if CV is torn on the other side. This sounds like a possible junk front differential.

 

[Fleetwood Mike]

Thank you, I apreciate your time. I'll check tomorrow. Its AWD. Do you see any harm in continueing to drive the vehicle?

 

[my pos mounty]

Can't kill whats already dead, but i would take the front driveshaft out of it. Then when you park on an incline, set your e-brake. Could also be something internal in the transfer case quit on you as well. But it really sounds like a differential problem if your CV axles are good.