93explorereb
Well-Known Member
- Joined
- January 16, 2009
- Messages
- 151
- Reaction score
- 0
- City, State
- Northeast
- Year, Model & Trim Level
- 93/97 4.0 EB/5.0 XLT 4AWD
Greetings:
I just had another front Dana 35 front differential with 3:55 gear ratios, installed on my 1997 explorer 5.0 AWD (123,000 original miles). The original one had a tag of no oil on it via the original owner/shop. So I picked up a nice clean donor with the very same numbers/type. The donor came from a 2000 model! It only had 75,000 original miles on it, and was in good shape. Prior to the donor install, my truck would go through a heavy dragging motion, as if my e-brakes were locked down partially, or something. I even checked my hub bearings, and changed the one on the driver's side, because the dragging seemed to emerge from the front left side. So I had a reputable shop that I know do the install (seals, bearings, oil, sealant for the cover etc). Upon picking up the truck, I noticed it to be doing the same aforementioned nonsense (spaulding, groaning, slightly grinding/scraping/humming noises). So I had the shop look at it again, they were just about to close, but one of their mechanics did a quick road test. I went along, and to the both of us, it seemed as though, it may have been the rear diff all along. They promised to look into it on Tuesday. Meanwhile the yard from where I purchased the donor, was explained the same story, and was somewhat surprise, whereas they stated that it was a very rare occurence. However, since I have a one year warranty on the donor diff, they will honor it, and are presently seeking a replacement. So I had to drive it home, only to have it just barely make it, I had about 25 miles of 55-60 mph highway speed to contend with. Before I knew it, I saw all of this smoke, and detected a strong burning gear oil odor! I had a back up ride following me as well. As I got nearer to my home, the diff began to really seize up and drag even more. I finally made it to the back of my driveway. The rear diff, wasn't leaking and or smoking. I became more and more convinced, that it wasn't my rear diff, but trouble again with the front diff. I'm thinking maybe I got a bad donor diff? However, my recently installed donor front diff, was smoking, and gear oil was leaking from it onto the exhaust! It was horrible!!! What the heck might all this be?? Is my transfer case the issue? Might it be that a bearing went bad in the axle shaft or something? I am not too happy right now. I had planned to drive it this week! The motor handled it all fine, no overheating, good oil pressure, and the transmission handled very well!! What might it be
?? I started to do the job myself, but I figured the shop would move faster, given their array of tools and help. I was thinking that my transfer case was acting up, but I didn't detect any transmission fluid leakage, burning smells, etc from the case and or in general. What are the classic telltale signs of a transfer case meltdown?? Is the transfer case jamming up or what. My rear diff seems to be ok? I am also thinking a bad U-JOINT/JOINTS that might be half frozen, primarily the one in the front, but still, what gives with all of the dragging, groaning, humming, scraping sounds though? I am going to put it up on 4 heavy duty jack stands tommorow, and inspect the diffs. I now take it, that my donor diff is history now? The truck is in good shape, it even passed inspection too. Please any suggestions, experiences, just any help of sort would be greatly appreciated
!!!!! What do you guys think it maybe, and please all of you explorer gurus, please by all means chime in
! What say you? My apologizes for such a long thesis. Thank you in advance!
Best Regards
I just had another front Dana 35 front differential with 3:55 gear ratios, installed on my 1997 explorer 5.0 AWD (123,000 original miles). The original one had a tag of no oil on it via the original owner/shop. So I picked up a nice clean donor with the very same numbers/type. The donor came from a 2000 model! It only had 75,000 original miles on it, and was in good shape. Prior to the donor install, my truck would go through a heavy dragging motion, as if my e-brakes were locked down partially, or something. I even checked my hub bearings, and changed the one on the driver's side, because the dragging seemed to emerge from the front left side. So I had a reputable shop that I know do the install (seals, bearings, oil, sealant for the cover etc). Upon picking up the truck, I noticed it to be doing the same aforementioned nonsense (spaulding, groaning, slightly grinding/scraping/humming noises). So I had the shop look at it again, they were just about to close, but one of their mechanics did a quick road test. I went along, and to the both of us, it seemed as though, it may have been the rear diff all along. They promised to look into it on Tuesday. Meanwhile the yard from where I purchased the donor, was explained the same story, and was somewhat surprise, whereas they stated that it was a very rare occurence. However, since I have a one year warranty on the donor diff, they will honor it, and are presently seeking a replacement. So I had to drive it home, only to have it just barely make it, I had about 25 miles of 55-60 mph highway speed to contend with. Before I knew it, I saw all of this smoke, and detected a strong burning gear oil odor! I had a back up ride following me as well. As I got nearer to my home, the diff began to really seize up and drag even more. I finally made it to the back of my driveway. The rear diff, wasn't leaking and or smoking. I became more and more convinced, that it wasn't my rear diff, but trouble again with the front diff. I'm thinking maybe I got a bad donor diff? However, my recently installed donor front diff, was smoking, and gear oil was leaking from it onto the exhaust! It was horrible!!! What the heck might all this be?? Is my transfer case the issue? Might it be that a bearing went bad in the axle shaft or something? I am not too happy right now. I had planned to drive it this week! The motor handled it all fine, no overheating, good oil pressure, and the transmission handled very well!! What might it be
?? I started to do the job myself, but I figured the shop would move faster, given their array of tools and help. I was thinking that my transfer case was acting up, but I didn't detect any transmission fluid leakage, burning smells, etc from the case and or in general. What are the classic telltale signs of a transfer case meltdown?? Is the transfer case jamming up or what. My rear diff seems to be ok? I am also thinking a bad U-JOINT/JOINTS that might be half frozen, primarily the one in the front, but still, what gives with all of the dragging, groaning, humming, scraping sounds though? I am going to put it up on 4 heavy duty jack stands tommorow, and inspect the diffs. I now take it, that my donor diff is history now? The truck is in good shape, it even passed inspection too. Please any suggestions, experiences, just any help of sort would be greatly appreciated!!!!! What do you guys think it maybe, and please all of you explorer gurus, please by all means chime in! What say you? My apologizes for such a long thesis. Thank you in advance!Best Regards
? I am at a complete lost for words
!
