Grinding noise in 4wd

[Fettler]

When I engage high or low 4wd on hard sand I get a grinding noise from the front and a jolting feeling like the 4wd is coming in and out. It is worse when I turn left or right. Sounds and feels expensive! Any ideas, sorry it is hard to describe.

 

[Aussie Explorer]

Don’t use 4WD low on hard sand you will wind up the driveline on the Explorers thus all the Fuss the car is making.

Is the grinding noise when you are close to full lock and is accompany buy the steering feeling very tight, if so it is relatively normal once agene hard surface in 4WD.

I am just talking in general hear as without actually hearing the exact noise it makes it’s hard to say.

It could be a transfer case issue thou, is the car defenitly in 4WD, dose it make this same noise in soft sand.?

 

[BrooklynBay]

Check to see if there are any metal fragments in the transfer case. When was the last time the fluid was changed in it?

 

[Fettler]

Thanks for the quick reply. I first noticed it when I was driving over some rocks and sand in low 4wd but noticed it then in high 4wd. It seems relatively quiet when going straight ahead but really jolts like it is trying to climb over itself as you start to turn on hard sand. I know a 4 wheels spin in really soft sand so I assume the 4wd is engaging

 

[chrisis]

don't use 4wd low in any hard pavement. 4wd low is used to climb or unstuck in very hard situations with a max speed of 35 mph.

the noise that is coming out is because in 4wd low the front and rear turn in different speeds and when you try to turn you can feel a binding.

you suppost to turn only a little.

now 4wd high is a different story.front and rear turn at the same speed so you should not have any noise and steering problem in the sand, but again don't use 4wd at all when you are in hard pavement.

 

[Aussie Explorer]

As BrooklynBay suggested

Drain the T/case oil into a clean bucket and see if any metal comes out/ settles in the bottom of the Bucket, then refill with mercron or mercron V Transmission fluid available from Ford, thou Penrite Syntactic ATF is a better and cheaper option

T/case holds around 2 Litres from memory, You need a hand Fluid Pump to refill the T/Case, $20 from most Auto Shops.

Cheers.

 

[Aussie Explorer]

As BrooklynBay suggested

Drain the T/case oil into a clean bucket and see if any metal comes out/ settles in the bottom of the Bucket, then refill with mercron or mercron V Transmission fluid available from Ford, thou Penrite Syntactic ATF is a better and cheaper option

T/case holds around 2 Litres from memory, You need a hand Fluid Pump to refill the T/Case, $20 from most Auto Shops.

Cheers.

 

[gottogetfixin]

I get grinding when I'm in 4x4 Auto and just turning (EXP XLT 2002 V8) a little. Seems most frequent going backwards out of the driveway. Changed Differential fluid to the 75/140 synthetic. Visible gears looked ok thru drain plug. Still have the grinding sound. I'm not 100% that it is the Diff. Could the transfer cause this noise even in 4x4 Auto mode going slowly??? Tire PSI is correct (30 front/35 back). Please reply. Thanks!