Bad Transfercase?

[Rob_B]

I've had a problem lately when I make sharp corners, like into a parking lot, my front end makes some bad noises, grinding, hops a little bit, all around bad news. I took it to a good shop last week and they thought it was the tranfercase staying engaged, which made sense to me, and they hoped servicing it would fix it. It's still making the noise, not quite as much as before, and I'm wondering if I'm going to need a different transfercase or if it's something else. What are the symptoms when the clutch goes bad in these cases?

It's a 98 Sport auto OHV. I really don't wanna drop $1500-2000 on new new transfercase.

 

[Rob_B]

anybody?

 

[rfuree11]

sounds to me like a power steering problem...check the fluid level first. when my xfer case went, i got a loud clunk from the rear as i was making turns.

 

[Rob_B]

I don't think the power steering would make the front wheels bind, I'll check it though. I can literally feel the hop sometimes because it's binding.

Thanks

 

[Glacier991]

might check all the U-joints

 

[rfuree11]

i had my truck towed after my belt tensioner went and almost all my power steering fluid leaked out and i didnt realize it and it felt like my front wheels were binding.
<run-on sentence king

 

[Rob_B]

i had my truck towed after my belt tensioner went and almost all my power steering fluid leaked out and i didnt realize it and it felt like my front wheels were binding.
<run-on sentence king

That'd make the noise all the time though, wouldn't it? I've heard what it sounds like when my friends truck was out of power steering fluid and these aren't comparible. This is just sometimes when I'm pulling into a parking spot or turning onto a street. There's also a slight whine when I'm going slow and straigt, it might make the noise all the time but I just don't hear it.

I'm just afraid that if it is the T-case it's taking my front axle out with it. So if anybody's had a 44-05 T-case go bad with these problems let me know. I don't want to take it to a shop cause there's a lot of things that could be the cause.

I also changed all the fluids in it in July, front dif., rear dif. and t-case. I think all the shop did last week was change the fluid in the t-case again.

Thanks for the help.

 

[rfuree11]

nope, it only made it when turning...different powere steering pumps make different noises...check the fluid, it takes 2 seconds. When my t-case went, i got a loud clunk from the rear (it actually sounded almost like binding, but i didnt feel anything through the wheel) and after about 45 miles of driving like that, my case was completely shot.

 

[97splorer]

Rob_B, My X makes the same noise when I turn at slow speeds. It is a binding noise that can be felt thru the steering wheel. I replaced my ball joints, outer tie rods, and drivers side inner tie rod, 3 allingnments, and wheels balanced. So far none of this has helped stop the noise. If you find out anymore about this please pm me.

Brian

 

[F14CRAZY]

It seems to me that the most logical troubleshooting solution, if possible, would be to jack up the truck so all wheels are off the ground and see if the front spins in gear.

I feel stupid posting this for some reason. Did I miss something?

 

[Rob_B]

I just ran out and checked the steering fluid, there was plenty there.


Thanks for the info 97splorer, that limits a good amount out. How long have you been having the problem? My dad doesn't want me to take it into a shop unless it get's worse.

It seems to me that the most logical troubleshooting solution, if possible, would be to jack up the truck so all wheels are off the ground and see if the front spins in gear.

I feel stupid posting this for some reason. Did I miss something?

My Explorer doesn't have a 2WD option, it's 4Auto, 4Hi and 4Lo. I'd be extremely happy if it was 2wd and not 4auto just because there'd be a lot less to break. Plus I'm at college right now and don't know when I'll have access to a garage again.

 

[F14CRAZY]

I haven't dealt with 2nd generation Explorers, but from what I understand you can perform the "yellow wire mod" if you feel capable with doing simple wiring. It'll turn off power to the front axle, so you can indeed test whether or not it's the steering.

Do a quick search on it. There's a thread titled "If your 4WD switch looks like this AUTO, 4HI, 4LO then..." that discusses this and relating things.

 

[97splorer]

Rob_B, I have always noticed somthing "not right" with my X when making turns at low speeds, but it has gotten noticably worse over the last month or so. I have checked over the suspension and everything seems to be tight except for the pass. side cv shaft. The cv shaft has excess play back and forth when shook, and where the cv shaft meet the axle housing is residue from what looks like a leak from inside the axle.(see pic below) I also get a creaking sound where the half shaft goes into the axle when i shake on it.
I plan on changing out my cv shafts this weekend and see if it solves this problem. I will keep you updated.

BRIAN
sorry for bad pic, but here is where the leak is.

 

[Creager]

Ok i had the exact same problem once, and it wanst the transfer case, it was the starter. The damn thing was hanging from one of the bolts, since the other side litterly broke in half. The noise and grinding came from the starter gears hitting the fly wheel

 

[97splorer]

Well, I changed my half shafts this weekend and it did not fix the problem. I can't find the source of this "grinding" noise, and its driving me f-ing nuts. If this were a bad transfer case issue would'nt it grind all the time and not just when turning?

 

[Blee1099]

There is a TSB for binding in tight turns.. I had my GEM re-programmed for the same issue and it cleared it up... Call your local dealer and ask them about it to see if culprit. I noticed it would make the steering wheel shake and the front end shake at slow speeds.. especially trying to parallel park or turning really slow like pulling in & out of a parking space.

97-21-15 & 97314 Transfer Case - Shudder/Binding In Tight Turns

 

[4x4eXpLoDr]

migh check the wheel bearings

 

[Rob_B]

There is a TSB for binding in tight turns.. I had my GEM re-programmed for the same issue and it cleared it up... Call your local dealer and ask them about it to see if culprit. I noticed it would make the steering wheel shake and the front end shake at slow speeds.. especially trying to parallel park or turning really slow like pulling in & out of a parking space.

97-21-15 & 97314 Transfer Case - Shudder/Binding In Tight Turns

Thanks for the information, I'll try that out.

How much did it cost and what exactly did they do to fix it? If they just do something to the computer I'll be relieved and frustrated at the same time.

 

[Rob_B]

bump

 

[plasticpaddy]

Earlier this year I had one of the speed sensors go out. I replaced both of them and at that time bought the recommended cable harness that goes thru the floor under the drivers seart to the shift motor and sensors.

SInce changing the harness would be a pain in the ass and I found a bad sensor I didn't bother. A couple of times during the summer the front would bind up but clear itself down after switching off and some choice language. Well last week just before the forst snow I got the regular flashing console lights.

I checked both sensors, they were fine so I changed the harness out, disconnected the battery to clear the trouble code and presto it worked.