Help believe im having problems with my four-wheel drive HELP PLEASE 🥺

[mcDucc4]

New to the site. I just got a 98 Ford Explorer Eddie Bauer.. The 4WD seems to b stuck when I accelerate the truck rear tires to get a little and I hear a grinding type of noise I was told it's my four-wheel drive also was told I may need gear oil in my differential I'm new to the explorers so I know nothing about them this is my first Ford truck I usually buy Lincoln's so please help what should I do to fix this grinding truck is a very good condition inside and out garage kept with 126,199 miles except for a rip in the driver seat a little faded paint front hood the truck is excellent and I would like to keep it that way so please help me thank you

 

[Mbrooks420]

Who told you it was your 4wd? How did they know the rear diff needed fluid? If it’s out or low on fluid you probably need a new differential.

 

[DannyW]

New to the site. I just got a 98 Ford Explorer Eddie Bauer.. The 4WD seems to b stuck when I accelerate the truck rear tires to get a little and I hear a grinding type of noise I was told it's my four-wheel drive also was told I may need gear oil in my differential I'm new to the explorers so I know nothing about them this is my first Ford truck I usually buy Lincoln's so please help what should I do to fix this grinding truck is a very good condition inside and out garage kept with 126,199 miles except for a rip in the driver seat a little faded paint front hood the truck is excellent and I would like to keep it that way so please help me thank you

Is it a v6 or v8?

 

[mcDucc4]

The person who I received the truck from told me that daughter drove it home in four wheel drive and messed up the differential from the receipts I see inside the glove box they purchased or an installed a new differential a mechanic actually was telling me I may need to put your oil in a differential a second mechanic said that my four wheel drive might be messed up or the motor I want to fix it before I mess the truck up

 

[mcDucc4]

V6 Eddie Bauer

 

[mcDucc4]

Is it a v6 or v8?

V6

 

[DannyW]

The person who I received the truck from told me that daughter drove it home in four wheel drive and messed up the differential from the receipts I see inside the glove box they purchased or an installed a new differential a mechanic actually was telling me I may need to put your oil in a differential a second mechanic said that my four wheel drive might be messed up or the motor I want to fix it before I mess the

V6 Eddie Bauer

Okay. The mechanic telling you is just guessing at things. You will need some definitive info to get help here.
Check the rear diff fluid. Is it up to the fill hole? If you can't do that, get it to a shop you trust to check some basics for you.
Try disconnecting the front drive shaft. If it is stuck in 4wd you will be able to tell the difference right away.

-Dan

 

[mcDucc4]

Okay. The mechanic telling you is just guessing at things. You will need some definitive info to get help here.
Check the rear diff fluid. Is it up to the fill hole? If you can't do that, get it to a shop you trust to check some basics for you.
Try disconnecting the front drive shaft. If it is stuck in 4wd you will be able to tell the difference right away.

-Dan

Ok I'll check that now . And get it to the shop morn thank you

 

[Fix4Dirt]

hmm... you mentioned they pavement drove it in 4wd, thats a no-no and can cause driveline windup which is stress on the axle tcase, etc. howeve,r its got a new diff. so should be alright. if the diff is full, should be alright there. wonder if its a driveshaft grinding? also the shfit motor can be mvoed by hand out of 4wd, so if it is indeed stuck in 4wd, then thats an option. also, i see youre in la puente, so youre in socal correct? which shops did you go to? just curious, as im somewhat near to you!

 

[Mbrooks420]

hmm... you mentioned they pavement drove it in 4wd, thats a no-no and can cause driveline windup which is stress on the axle tcase, etc. howeve,r its got a new diff. so should be alright. if the diff is full, should be alright there. wonder if its a driveshaft grinding? also the shfit motor can be mvoed by hand out of 4wd, so if it is indeed stuck in 4wd, then thats an option. also, i see youre in la puente, so youre in socal correct? which shops did you go to? just curious, as im relatively near to you!

There is no shifting involved with 4wd high on this model.

 

[Fix4Dirt]

oh wait, doh! its just the clutch engagemtn and disengagement, shift is only to 4lo, right? in theory, not as permanent fix, could they to the BWM to make it go into 2wd?

 

[Mbrooks420]

oh wait, doh! its just the clutch engagemtn and disengagement, shift is only to 4lo, right? in theory, not as permanent fix, could they to the BWM to make it go into 2wd?

Even with the models with 2 high 4auto/4low the clutch just gets powered.

All ControlTrac transfer cases are this way, I believe.

I very much doubt his 4wd is stuck on. If so I’d bet on a mechanical failure in the clutch over electronics.

Just for a sanity check, is a 4wd light on?

We need more/better info if you want internet help on this.

 

[C420sailor]

Also, where is the grinding coming from? It can be tough to tell. What makes it better/worse?

If it’s stuck in 4WD, the slight front diff whine and the tire skidding/wheel hop will be noticeable unless you’re off-road.

Now I’m not saying go test it on pavement, just think back to the last time you drove it

 

[XLTrunner]

My money is on the transfer case being the problem. If previous owner had a replacement diff installed, my guess is it didn't solve the initial problem and they decided to unload the vehicle rather than pour more money into it.

When my t-case took a dump, it began emitting a god-awful grinding noise; especially, when turning. Shop that rebuilt it showed me how one of the three stainless ramp balls had split in half; along with burnt clutch discs in just the dozen or so miles I drove it this way when trying to get it back home for evaluation. This despite my never touching the dash switch (AUTO setting) from the time I purchased the vehicle with 106K miles to when it failed at 153K. And yes, I was running same make/model/size tires with even tire pressure and wear. Not low on fluid, either.

 

[Fix4Dirt]

yeah, these control tracs can be weird, one i heard with a bad case made an occasional bang, but guess yours was even worse? agree about the tcase though...

 

[mcDucc4]

hmm... you mentioned they pavement drove it in 4wd, thats a no-no and can cause driveline windup which is stress on the axle tcase, etc. howeve,r its got a new diff. so should be alright. if the diff is full, should be alright there. wonder if its a driveshaft grinding? also the shfit motor can be mvoed by hand out of 4wd, so if it is indeed stuck in 4wd, then thats an option. also, i see youre in la puente, so youre in socal correct? which shops did you go to? just curious, as im somewhat near to you!

 

[mcDucc4]

VJ Auto . This is what it sounds like sorry I didn't get a good recording of it but listen close the No it's you here is what I'm talking about

 

[Fix4Dirt]

even if it aint a good video, any video is information! there is no video showing though

 

[drdoom]

As many members above have posted, you are likely having a transfer case failure.
Get off the road, your driveway or yard, just not in the street. Engage 4LOW following the proper procedure and shift into DRIVE. Will the truck move without grinding?

 

[drdoom]

If it is the transfer case, those can be rebuilt using upgraded components into better than new.
It sounds like a good truck.
Best Wishes
Doc