saewoody
Well-Known Member
- Joined
- June 11, 2007
- Messages
- 123
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- City, State
- CT
- Year, Model & Trim Level
- 1997 XLT (RIP)
2003 XLT
I posted this in the 95-01 forum, but I thought I might have good luck here too.
Thanks
I'm new to the forum. It's great. I've done a lot of looking around trying to solve my issue, but I haven't found anything to completely confirm a diagnosis. I'll give the background as briefly as I can, and then I will list my questions.
97, 4.0 SOHC, 4WD, 5R55E (I believe it is considered All Wheel Drive: Auto, 4 HI, 4 LOW) 175,000 miles
Issue: While making sharp turns (parking lot manuevers, U-turns, etc.) I get a pretty serious grinding noise and a vibration to go with it. It first started last slowly last summer and progressively got worse. Two mechanics told me it was CV joints/front axles. A third said it was probably the clutches in the transfer case sticking. I changed the TC fluid. Problem was solved. Drove like new again. A few months later at about 163,000 miles the transmission went. It was replaced with a used unit (@ 95,000 miles on it). My TC stayed with the vehicle. Everything was good for about 8 or 9,000 miles. This spring, what feels like the original problem came back. I don't think it is the TC binding up again. I changed the front differential fluid. I was conviced it was the CV joints after checking all the other things that seemed to make sense. So a couple weeks ago I changed the front axles (and ball joints too; by the way I eliminated a clunk by tightening up the upper control arm. It had a lot of play in it.) I removed the front driveshaft the other day. It eliminated the problem, but obviously didn't fix it (although my wife is happy that she can park it now without being embarrassed by the noise or having to practically make a K turn to get it into a parking spot!)
Here are my questions:
1. If the problem goes away with the driveshaft out does that eliminate the front differential from being a possible culprit? From the info I have found, that seems to be what people believe, however, my brother suggested that because no power is actually being sent to the differential it is impossible to actually know.
2. I have not changed my rear differential fluid yet. Is it a feasible possibility that some sort of binding in the rear differential could work its way up through the trasfer case and into the front differential?
3. I've read something about some sort of speed sensor that might be sending inaccurate information to the computer. Could this be some sort of computer or electrical issue?
4. I think that is is possible that it could be the front driveshaft. What are the possibilites here? How could I check it? Before I pulled it I didn't check for any play. I know I should have. Other ways to check for problems would be helpful.
5. I've seen different thoughts about driving the vehicle with the driveshaft out. Thoughts on that? Any confirmed problems with having it out?
Any input on any of these questions would be very helpful. Thanks for your time and knowledge.
Thanks
I'm new to the forum. It's great. I've done a lot of looking around trying to solve my issue, but I haven't found anything to completely confirm a diagnosis. I'll give the background as briefly as I can, and then I will list my questions.
97, 4.0 SOHC, 4WD, 5R55E (I believe it is considered All Wheel Drive: Auto, 4 HI, 4 LOW) 175,000 miles
Issue: While making sharp turns (parking lot manuevers, U-turns, etc.) I get a pretty serious grinding noise and a vibration to go with it. It first started last slowly last summer and progressively got worse. Two mechanics told me it was CV joints/front axles. A third said it was probably the clutches in the transfer case sticking. I changed the TC fluid. Problem was solved. Drove like new again. A few months later at about 163,000 miles the transmission went. It was replaced with a used unit (@ 95,000 miles on it). My TC stayed with the vehicle. Everything was good for about 8 or 9,000 miles. This spring, what feels like the original problem came back. I don't think it is the TC binding up again. I changed the front differential fluid. I was conviced it was the CV joints after checking all the other things that seemed to make sense. So a couple weeks ago I changed the front axles (and ball joints too; by the way I eliminated a clunk by tightening up the upper control arm. It had a lot of play in it.) I removed the front driveshaft the other day. It eliminated the problem, but obviously didn't fix it (although my wife is happy that she can park it now without being embarrassed by the noise or having to practically make a K turn to get it into a parking spot!)
Here are my questions:
1. If the problem goes away with the driveshaft out does that eliminate the front differential from being a possible culprit? From the info I have found, that seems to be what people believe, however, my brother suggested that because no power is actually being sent to the differential it is impossible to actually know.
2. I have not changed my rear differential fluid yet. Is it a feasible possibility that some sort of binding in the rear differential could work its way up through the trasfer case and into the front differential?
3. I've read something about some sort of speed sensor that might be sending inaccurate information to the computer. Could this be some sort of computer or electrical issue?
4. I think that is is possible that it could be the front driveshaft. What are the possibilites here? How could I check it? Before I pulled it I didn't check for any play. I know I should have. Other ways to check for problems would be helpful.
5. I've seen different thoughts about driving the vehicle with the driveshaft out. Thoughts on that? Any confirmed problems with having it out?
Any input on any of these questions would be very helpful. Thanks for your time and knowledge.
