Clunk in front with 4x4 engaged at full lock

[Sherwood]

Title pretty much sums it up. I recently noticed that when I have the wheels turned to full lock either way in 4 wheel drive, I drive slowly foward or backwards and get a nasty clunk from the front end every few feet. I'm wondering if the transfer case is going. It only happens in 4 wheel drive though, not at all in 2 wheel. Let me know if anybody has run into this problem or knows of it. Thanks.

 

[bikerboy4lif]

i know that is normal on my truck, it does that bacause your front wheels are traveling less distance then your rear wheels, and because there is no differential between the front and rear something has to give. so sometimes a front wheel will slip or will even hop in the air and spin sometimes. don't use 4x4 if your wheels can't slip or else don't turn real sharp.

 

[Nate1]

On dry pavement? You are going to grenade your driveline. You are making you front and rear wheels spin at different speeds, even though they are locked together. On the 4405s I think the electromagnet gives before anything like CVs or u-joints, but either way, it's not good to do.

 

[Sherwood]

Heck no, not on dry pavement. I was doing it on a gravel driveway. I just dont recall it ever happening before when I was wheeling.

 

[ndwhitaker13]

I did notice that on my 95 limited, but it only happens in 4x4 low. I thought it was something with the system because of the high mileage, but then someone told me that the differentials lock in low. I don't know wether or not to believe that, but thought I would let you know its not just yours.

 

[green 97]

I believe there was a mention of this in a service bulletin to fords mechanics . Don't remember where I saw it though, but was not a recall

 

[green 97]

http://www-odi.nhtsa.dot.gov/cars/problems/tsb/results.cfm
Here is the link. It is the 4th one down listed as steering.

 

[GrtWht]

had the exact same problem turned out i had a blown wheel hub i have the automatic (POS's) anyway it was easy to make sure that was the problem i put the rig up on jackstands and engaged the 4x4 you could hold the wheel and the other would for lack of a better term catrch up the slack and you would get a good awful clank.

Good luck hope this helps

 

[Tat2dExploder]

i had a horrific clunking in 4x4 for a while also, so when my t-case finally ended up goin, they told me something about the cluth(es) inside... so i ended up getting one of the more mechanical t-cases if i'm not mistaken i think it was bw1354? anyhow, after that it was gone for good.

excuse me for sounding like an idiot, i don't know much about t-cases at all

 

[N7XME]

You are binding the u-joints or cv joints when at full lock in 4x4. I have had this same thing on every 4x4 that I have ever driven. If you do it enough you will end up replacing the joint in the hub or the entire hub itself. Just don't full lock the steering when in 4x4 high or low.

 

[Sherwood]

I see, that's what I was affraid of hearing. To me, it just dont seem right but hey, im not the one who designed it that way. Well, I guess I'll have to ignore it then. Thanks a lot for all the info, I appreciate it.
Eric

 

[IAmTodd]

I have the same clunk. I only have it in low b/c that is the only time is fully locked. I just thought it was the computer disengaging the clutch to release the tention so that the U-joints or CVs wouldn't be damaged.

I have noticed that one of my CV boots is ripped. Would this have anything to do with it?

 

[SmokeGrinder]

we have a land rover discovery Its in permanent 4x4. the only control you have is diff lock.
it not as 'tech' as the xplorer but i think it would kick my explorer at off road driving.


I was surprised you cant turn sharp corners with the x in 4x4

 

[Mbrooks420]

As long as it ONLY happens when the steering is locked you should be fine. If it ever happens in a straight line you Torque on Demand clutch is prob. slipping.

t does that bacause your front wheels are traveling less distance then your rear wheels

It actually happens because your front wheels are turning at different speeds.

I did notice that on my 95 limited, but it only happens in 4x4 low. I thought it was something with the system because of the high mileage, but then someone told me that the differentials lock in low.

No explorers come from the factory with locking diffs. The auto clutch(TOD) locks itself up for low range. This can slip under the extra torque of low and cause a popping binding.

had the exact same problem turned out i had a blown wheel hub i have the automatic (POS's)

It's definetely not hubs since he doesn't have any.

 

[hardazz04]

IAMTOD: if you have a torn cv boot you lost all your grease in that bearing and soon you will get a clunking noise when turn, even with 4x4 disengaged---if grease is gone from bearing you will shatter your cv shaft and have to replace it-- 80$ you will proply have to replace it anyways so i would go ahead and do it before more probs persist-- this could be to much pressure on cv shaft because of a tt twist

 

[tcgii73]

i have the same problem with my x replaced cv axle stills makes clunking noise while in 4wd on the beach havent sloved the clunking noise yet but its coming from the t case so anybody know how to fixed this let me know its a 96 xlt control trac and it clunks going forward

 

[rebelboy101]

02 Ford Explorer Front Wheels Clunk when in 4x4 high and low when turning

I have a 02 ford explorer xlt v6 4.0L and i notice the front wheels when give a loud clunk when i turned the wheels but it only does it in 4x4 high and low. It does it in drive and reverse. This doesn't seem normal at all but from what I'm hearing I guess it is? Is there any way to fix this?

 

[Mbrooks420]

What kind of surface does it do this on? It's it's a hard surface or something with traction it's normal, given the wheel is turned a fair amount. This happens when the driveline "winds up" due to the differences in wheel speeds that happen when turning. If it only does it under high traction, and under cornering I wouldn't worry about it. Use Auto instead if you are on something that isn't slippery, especially if you are turning the wheel sharply.

 

[bilzy7]

Yes as everyone else has said, it is normal. At full lock my ranger would almost hop, or the wheel would lock up. On my explorer it just clunks. I try not to go to full lock but when pulling into a parking spot it's hard sometimes when you have to make a 90* turn. Of course I only turn on 4x4 in heavy snow as that's all I ever use it for.

 

[rebelboy101]

It was slushy outside but not too bad. I test drove it in high on a gravel parking lot and then on a paved road. Could anything break if I drive it in 4WD and it starts clunking?