Can I pull the front DS in a V8?

[410Fortune]

I hated the AWD, what a waste, handles okay but sucks up the MPG and eats tires.
My 4x4 4406 case conversion breathed new life into that truck, feels SO much more solid in 4x4 hi, 4x4 low is ridiculous low range for an Ex V8, and the 2wd puts the power to the ground.

Ford should have built them this way

 

[99SportX]

I hated the AWD, what a waste, handles okay but sucks up the MPG and eats tires.
My 4x4 4406 case conversion breathed new life into that truck, feels SO much more solid in 4x4 hi, 4x4 low is ridiculous low range for an Ex V8, and the 2wd puts the power to the ground.

Ford should have built them this way

I agree with ya. Low range would be insane. I want a 4406, but stuffing an electric shift one under a sport may pose quite a challenge. I so want to do it though. lol

 

[Turdle]

I hated the AWD, what a waste, handles okay but sucks up the MPG and eats tires.
My 4x4 4406 case conversion breathed new life into that truck, feels SO much more solid in 4x4 hi, 4x4 low is ridiculous low range for an Ex V8, and the 2wd puts the power to the ground.

Ford should have built them this way

You just have to rub it in don't you?

 

[reserved50]

it ran with a 225L pump and Mac 3" cat back 8 sec 0-60 and 16.4 at 85mph without the front shaft, now I have to wait to test it again with it in

 

[gijoecam]

it ran with a 225L pump and Mac 3" cat back 8 sec 0-60 and 16.4 at 85mph without the front shaft, now I have to wait to test it again with it in

Umm, that's honestly not all-that impressive... Car and Driver tested the 97 Sport with the 4.0 SOHC in it back in the July or August issue of '97. I recall 0-60 in 7.9, 1/4 mile in 16.2 (Not sure of the trap speed). Those were actual measured numbers, not dyno estimates.

-Joe

 

[reserved50]

huh, I never said it was impressive, point of testing without the front shaft was to see the difference in times, once again you have jumped again and missed the point(read back a bit please). I am also checking the difference in fuel economy. Dont worry when my forged 331 stroker kit goes in with a 12psi powerdyne blower and AFR 185 heads im sure i'll run circles around your truck (thats why it has a 255L pump in it)

...umm its also a 5.0 which people know for a fact is slower in 0-60 and 1/4 mile times and why would I use a dyno to check times, I wasnt checking horsepower, too much drinky drinky huh , if i wanted a truck that wasnt upgradeable to the power levels I wanted I would of bought the V6 like you have done

 

[gijoecam]

I wasn't trying to imply anything... I guess I should have stated my surprise at the fact that the 5.0 was so slow.... What? You guys can't see my face when I act all surprised after reading a post?

What I'm curious about is how you used a dyno to measure 0-60 times?

Oh, and apparently I missed all of page 2... My bad...

 

[reserved50]

dyno? I used a G-Tech performance meter, its an accelerometer. Maybe because the V6 has more top end and doesnt rob power thru the transfer case and has a smaller trans? I dont know. Fuel economy didnt increase by more than 10% at best, maybe around 7%?, not sure yet, but im still using the AWD transfer case

 

[gijoecam]

For some reason I keep thinking that you were originally asking about the front driveshaft in the context of running the Ex on a Dyno... I admit I must be getting a little bit senile, I guess. I now realize that I'm getting my threads confused.... You had front driveshaft noise. I'm straight now... and your posts make a lot more sense LOL!!

-Joe

 

[reserved50]

I didnt have front shaft noise, I think I just butted in someones post . I do actually have some noise from the front diff area, but havent bothered checking it running in the air since I dont have a shaft to put in yet

 

[97 Eddie Bauer v8]

This is a really interesting, very techincal and sometimes confusing read. I drove around during a whole spring/summer/fall without a front drive shaft. I guess I damaged my AWD transfer case? I put the driveshaft back in for this winter and I'm fine and I really test my AWD in the deep snow offroad.

Can someone explain why the truck, while facing up on a steep incline and in drive does not roll backwards when in drive and your foot is off the brake? Maybe this applies to the AWD system's workings and would be interesting to know.

 

[Big6ft6]

Good question Eddie,

I don't think it has to do with the all wheel drive system, I think it has to do with automatic transmissions because other automatics that I have had offer the same ability to some extent.

With an automatic if you stop on LEVEL ground and take your foot off the brake, your car will begin to drive forward. This small forward power is also what keeps you car still on an incline.

On an incline the force that the engine is putting through the torque converter isn't enough to overcome the force of gravity and actually drive you up the hill, but it is enough to keep you from rolling backwards.

Going backwards when your car is in drive would require the two parts of the torque converter to actually spin in oppositte directions which takes much more effort that for one to sping and for the input to the tranny to stay still (which is what happens when your foot is on the brake)

If you parked on the same incline and shut your engine off and took your foot off the brake I think the truck would definitly roll backwards. So it is just the pressure in the torque converter from the engine idling that is keeping you there when the engine is on.

Anway, this is just what I've assumed causes the phenominen that you are talking about.

 

[jean42mi]

Wow Im very confused/reading aobut my driveshaft that was just removed

Hi,
I'm Telling you right now that you can pull the shaft!! I have a 1998 5.0 and it had a bad shaft upon purchase. It made alot of noise upon acceleration. Since I only wanted a 2WD truck, I pulled the shaft. YES, I do set the emergency brake when parked.I also pulled out the entire front axle and shafts ofcourse. I seperated the shaft ends that go into the hubs, cleaned them out and stuck them back into the hubs. I have had NO problem at all and I have put about 40kmi. on the truck since I bought it.

so many people disagree on this issue, and Im even more confused. I have posted in the past few days for help on this issue. I think the reason my 4WD stated acting up/engaged was the need for wheel bearing (wheel looks bent) friend put new hub bearings on then the 4wd stated acting up and I have read that wheels, tires can cause problmes with the 4wd. But anyways taking out my driveshaft now it is done, and I have been told its ok this way, and reading all of this , boy, I just dont know. What to do?

 

[IZwack]

jean42mi -- dont pay attn to that post, that does not apply to your vehicle because you have a different engine, which means you have a different transmission and a different transfer case (which behaves differently from your transfer case).

 

[jean42mi]

REMOVED DRIVESHAFT has anyone ever agreed on this subject

Disconnected TRansfer Case Will this Hurt my 97 Explorer Sport TRac/Need Advise

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Hi, Its late and I also dont know nothing about all this ,(Im a 52 yr. female) but today my freind,, mechanic,, just disconnected the transfer case. He called it making my 97 explorer sport trac a 2WD because I started having problems with the lights and the engaging once again. I Had replaced the shift motor a year ago and all was fine till now. he took off Drive shaft? then somehow disconnected from the transfer case. I have been reading and I am worried that what he did may not be a good idea. What about the trac thingy? Will this work or hurt my truck? He said it was a way of getting around re building the transfer case. It may have needed another shift motor or it could have been that the right wheel looks bent out, probably from son hitting large pot hole not to long ago, seems that I read alot about tires causing the 4wd to act up. Well, anyways he replaced my hub bearings saying one side was bad not realizing the bent wheel is what I was asking im about. My friend just put new hub bearings on both fronts but didnt notice the wheel. Would , could that have been the cause of my 4WD engaging, the bent tire, and/or possibly the hubs somehow sending a message, maybe not on exactly like the truck wanted? now disconnecting 4WD, removing the driveshaft, What about The trac thing sending messages? I dont want to ruin my truck. I never use the 4WD. I have owned it for 6 years and never once used it. I keep asking myself, is there a purpose for this driveshaft other then my 4wd? If so, then what will happen to the parts of the vehicle that depend on the driveshaft? The right wheel may be the real culprit in this whole mess to begin with. If we fix that tire, hook the driveshaft back up , transfer case, Maybe the truck will be back to normal? What do you think? I hope he didnt mess up the shift motor or transfer case when trying to figure out what was going on, he said something about a valve, I think , that he said was in bad shape when messing with the shift motor or tranfer case. He said when he had the shift motor open the could not get the pin, to move to N or Dl or Dh without great resistance. NOrmal? He admits he doesnt know that much about these kinds of trucks. Im worried about this and dont want to mess my truck up. If you can give me info and if you need more info from me, let me know. I know this has been talked about alot on here but I really dont see that anyone agrees. Is it still like that? Jean http://www.explorerforum.com/forums/showthread.php?t=221535

 

[jean42mi]

Thanks much / driveshaft removed

jean42mi -- dont pay attn to that post, that does not apply to your vehicle because you have a different engine, which means you have a different transmission and a different transfer case (which behaves differently from your transfer case).

Thanks because my brother and I have been going around about this. I told him that I was told it would be fine to drive it this way from the responses that I have gotten. He has a 99 xplorer and he is telling me Im going to mess my car up. Iam not going to even talk to him about this anymore, I will drive myself nutts. Once again, thank you.

 

[gijoecam]

First, for the record, I have yet to see you indicate what engine you have in your vehicle, despite repeated posts on the issue.

OK, once again for the umpteenth time around here....

The answer is::: It depends.

If you have a V-8 with all wheel drive, NO, you cannot remove the shaft without risking damage to the transfer case.

If you have a V-6 with the Control-Trac Automatic 4 wheel drive, YES, you can remove it. Doesn't hurt a thing (just disables the 4wd, obviously)

It really is that simple.


DISCLAIMER** Yes, you *can* technically remove it in a V-8, but you run the risk of damaging the transfer case, plain and simple. Also, the vehicle can roll downhill when parked on an incline.


There's no reason a bent rim would cause problems with either 4 wheel drive system.

 

[jean42mi]

Excuse Me

Your right, I didnt say what engine I have, because I dont know. I said it was a 97 explorer sport trac. I did get some responses stating it would be fine, so these people must know what engine this vehicle must have, I would think.
Sorry that your having to answer for the umpteenth time on the subject, but not everyone is as knowledgable as you are (in this area). Forgive me for trying to learn. Maybe this is why women feel so stupid or worried when they have their cars at the mercy of men. By the way I never said I had a bent rim. I do know what a rim is. I said my wheel looks bent. Big difference, and by reading trying to learn, I have read in here that even having tire pressue off can mess with the control trac/4wd. So assuming this, and looking at my bent WHEEL that is looking as though its going to fall off made this unknowledgable woman think, that if tire pressure can mess with with it then perhaps, just maybe a BENT wheel , axle, knuckle ect. may also mess with it.
Sorry that your having to deal with this subject once again, I thought it was a place to learn from others.
Jean

First, for the record, I have yet to see you indicate what engine you have in your vehicle, despite repeated posts on the issue.

OK, once again for the umpteenth time around here....

The answer is::: It depends.

If you have a V-8 with all wheel drive, NO, you cannot remove the shaft without risking damage to the transfer case.

If you have a V-6 with the Control-Trac Automatic 4 wheel drive, YES, you can remove it. Doesn't hurt a thing (just disables the 4wd, obviously)

It really is that simple.


DISCLAIMER** Yes, you *can* technically remove it in a V-8, but you run the risk of damaging the transfer case, plain and simple. Also, the vehicle can roll downhill when parked on an incline.


There's no reason a bent rim would cause problems with either 4 wheel drive system.

 

[gijoecam]

Your right, I didnt say what engine I have, because I dont know. I said it was a 97 explorer sport trac. I did get some responses stating it would be fine, so these people must know what engine this vehicle must have, I would think.
Sorry that your having to answer for the umpteenth time on the subject, but not everyone is as knowledgable as you are (in this area). Forgive me for trying to learn. Maybe this is why women feel so stupid or worried when they have their cars at the mercy of men. By the way I never said I had a bent rim. I do know what a rim is. I said my wheel looks bent. Big difference, and by reading trying to learn, I have read in here that even having tire pressue off can mess with the control trac/4wd. So assuming this, and looking at my bent WHEEL that is looking as though its going to fall off made this unknowledgable woman think, that if tire pressure can mess with with it then perhaps, just maybe a BENT wheel , axle, knuckle ect. may also mess with it.
Sorry that your having to deal with this subject once again, I thought it was a place to learn from others.
Jean

First of all, my humblest apologies... My frustration with the topic was not directed at you personally, and I apologize if it sounded so. We're all here to learn and share our own knowledge too. My intent was not to offend, but I occasionally fail miserably.

There are a few people on here who are mis-informed, in my opinion, and for whatever reason, do not share the same opinion as me on this subject. I have based my statements regarding your driveshaft question on information gleaned from the factory service manual regarding the function of the transfer cases on the different models of the vehicle. Nothing more.

Now, it's neither here nor there, but you did make reference to a bent wheel numerous times:

I think the reason my 4WD stated acting up/engaged was the need for wheel bearing (wheel looks bent) friend put new hub bearings on then the 4wd stated acting up and I have read that wheels, tires can cause problmes with the 4wd.

Well, anyways he replaced my hub bearings saying one side was bad not realizing the bent wheel is what I was asking im about. My friend just put new hub bearings on both fronts but didnt notice the wheel. Would , could that have been the cause of my 4WD engaging, the bent tire, and/or possibly the hubs somehow sending a message, maybe not on exactly like the truck wanted? now disconnecting 4WD, removing the driveshaft,

The right wheel may be the real culprit in this whole mess to begin with.

The term 'wheel' and 'rim' generally imply the same component of the vehicle. Calling it 'bent' leads me to believe that the metal wheel that the tire is mounted to is 'bent.' Is that not a logical assumption based on your statements?

Now, given your last post, where you stated,

. So assuming this, and looking at my bent WHEEL that is looking as though its going to fall off made this unknowledgable woman think, that if tire pressure can mess with with it then perhaps, just maybe a BENT wheel , axle, knuckle ect. may also mess with it

It leads me to believe that you have a wheel that is out of alignment, not bent, correct? i.e. the wheel and tire assembly are leaning to one side or the other, correct? That's an entirely different problem than a bent wheel, and can cause a lot of different issues.

Now, regarding the engine choice, nobody's going to know for sure the specs of your vehicle unless you post it in the thread. There were two possible engine choices in 97, but telling us it's a Sport Trac doesn't do any good because you cannot possibly have a 97 Sport Trac. They did not start making the Sport Trac until the 2001 model year. Looking closely at the options for 97, one could possibly intuit that you have a 97 2-door Explorer Sport with a V-6 engine, but again, unless you tell us that, we're just guessing, and can give bad advice based on an erroneous assumption. That's why I tried to explain it as thoroughly as possible.

Now, that being said, I think we need to take a huge step back here and begin at the beginning: What exactly was wrong with the vehicle, what, exactly was done to it, and what problem are you currently experiencing? I'm still unclear on what exactly the issue is you're having with your truck. Please be as descriptive as you can, and calling parts 'some thingy' doesn't really help.

-Joe

 

[jean42mi]

I will reply today, when I get some time to start from the begining
Jean