Loud crack when turning in 4wd low

[edward1985]

I was in 4wd low and while completing a right turn there was a loud thump or crack from the front wheels. I then disengaged 4wd low, and dont know what to do. where should i start looking to see if there are any problems. and how do i test it?> this is the second time it was put in 4wd mode in 5 years...

 

[badgett]

It will pop if it gets in a bind. Mine does that. You should be ok. Never try to turn on dry pavement while in 4wd. It will end up costing you a fortune. You need to put your X in 4wd at least once a month if not more. If you never use it, it will not work when you need it. Putting in in 4wd for just a few feet once a month will keep everything lubed and free from crud buildup.

 

[OZexplore]

badgett is probably right it will even do it on dirt if there is not enough give to accomodate the difference in front wheel rotation

 

[ThunderB]

Mine does that too. Still works fine. Just scares you the first time it pops, then you get used to it. 4WD for dirt only, never on pavement.

 

[Aussie Explorer]

Yeah mine dose that as well on any surface that isn’t soft, like in mud or beach sand no sound. But on a hill climb or hill decant that is gravel/ rocky or hard clay you will get to the top and turn slightly and you will get a slight bang sound it you go parts half lock.

It scared the chit out of me the first time it did it as I turned off a boggy track onto a gravel one, turned left instead of right so did 3 point turn and I had the wheels almost at full lock to reverse to face the right way and the drivelling let out this Bang! As I stated to reverse.

They must have a very tight 4WD system in them, as I don’t ever recall this happening in other 4WD I have driven.

It is also a lot worse in Low range than high due to the toque- doubling or almost tripling factor.

 

[edward1985]

yeah it scared the sh*t out of me... i just stopped and went... "holy **** what did i break. took it out of 4wd and drove, put it back in and it worked but god did it scare me.
if it ok if once a month you engage in it 4wd and drive in straight line for like 30ft on pavement? cause like i live in the city and it never sees dirt... well not very much... maybe once a year

 

[Aussie Explorer]

I doubt it would do damage over that short distance but I wouldn’t do it.

Not using the 4WD system will not be to much of a problem being the front is always engaged on the Explorer so the diff and CV’s are spinning when you drive they are just not getting much or any power from the driveline. The Low-range gar set in the T/Case will just not get used; the T/case is always in High range Auto when normally driving.

The best thing to do would just give the System a good run when you do use it, even if only once or twice a year.

 

[ThunderB]

You can also engage 4wd on wet pavement, though I wouldn't do it for long. Just never on dry pavement.

 

[mynameisaric]

i wouldnt do it on wet pavement. the control trac does its job on wet pavement just fine. even in light snow its not bad. deeper snow, its nice to have the locked(sorta) power split. if you can see the color of the pavement, i wouldnt engage 4wd.