TheOxman
New Member
- Joined
- September 7, 2010
- Messages
- 8
- Reaction score
- 0
- City, State
- Crestview, FL
- Year, Model & Trim Level
- 2004 XLT
Okay, I've got an odd problem. I have a 2004 4.6L 4WD Ford Explorer.
Whenever the vehicle goes into 4WD, either by me pushing the 4x4 High or 4x4 Low button, or when the rear tires lose traction and 4x4 High engages on it's own, the vehicle starts shuttering, especially when in turns. There's a lot of noise going on, too. When I slow down, there is a noise that I can only describe as a "winding down" noise, like something that was spinning fast is slowly down and stopping. It's loud. When I get to about 5-10 mph, all the noise and shuddering stops, there's an audible clunk, and I can stop the car. The clunk comes from the front of the vehicle.
Now, when I say the vehicle goes into 4x4 High on it's own and the problems start, it happens kind of often. When going through mud or driving on ice, it would seem obvious. Today on the interstate, it the problem would randomly start. The first time, I was going about 75 and slammed on my brakes. It was about a 1,000 mile drive and it happened about six times.
So, when it goes into 4x4 High on its own, here's how I have to get the problem to stop: I have to pull over, put it in neutral, put it in 4x4 LOW, put it back into 4x4 High Auto, and then I'm fine.
I've already replaced both front half-shafts/CV joints and that did not help at all. I'm kind of thinking it's a U-joint.
Any ideas? Thanks.
Whenever the vehicle goes into 4WD, either by me pushing the 4x4 High or 4x4 Low button, or when the rear tires lose traction and 4x4 High engages on it's own, the vehicle starts shuttering, especially when in turns. There's a lot of noise going on, too. When I slow down, there is a noise that I can only describe as a "winding down" noise, like something that was spinning fast is slowly down and stopping. It's loud. When I get to about 5-10 mph, all the noise and shuddering stops, there's an audible clunk, and I can stop the car. The clunk comes from the front of the vehicle.
Now, when I say the vehicle goes into 4x4 High on it's own and the problems start, it happens kind of often. When going through mud or driving on ice, it would seem obvious. Today on the interstate, it the problem would randomly start. The first time, I was going about 75 and slammed on my brakes. It was about a 1,000 mile drive and it happened about six times.
So, when it goes into 4x4 High on its own, here's how I have to get the problem to stop: I have to pull over, put it in neutral, put it in 4x4 LOW, put it back into 4x4 High Auto, and then I'm fine.
I've already replaced both front half-shafts/CV joints and that did not help at all. I'm kind of thinking it's a U-joint.
Any ideas? Thanks.
