New To Me 97 XLT 5.0 AWD

[Smoky1978]

Hi everyone I just recently purchased a 97 explorer for a outrages $350 bucks lol. It has about 216k miles on it and want to know what area's i should look out for.

I have done the brakes, changed the oil, and about to put a new front u-joint in it as the old owner took the front drive shaft out because it the u-joint was bad.

One major concern I have for it that I just recently noticed was that while driving down the freeway it seemed to be "slipping" between gears and what i mean by that is traveling around 60mph I am at about 2k rpm then it will jump up to about 2.3k and go back and forth a few times. It was not driving up a hill or anything. I was thinking of doing a trans flush but have heard that it can actually mess up the transmission.

The other issue is turning left or right at about 2 and 10 oclock the steering will get really tight like I have no power steering but than go back to normal than back to tight. The wheel will also not return to center after making a turn.

If you have any suggestions for me it would be greatly appreciated. Thank you and have already learned a bunch from this forum so thank you all that contribute.

 

[1998Exp]

I have done the brakes, changed the oil, and about to put a new front u-joint in it as the old owner took the front drive shaft out because it the u-joint was bad.
U-joints are cheap and easy to replace. The usual reason for removing the front driveshaft is a defective transfer case. Consider yourself very lucky if yours is OK. If it is, make sure all four tires are identical, because it will be destroyed if they aren't.

One major concern I have for it that I just recently noticed was that while driving down the freeway it seemed to be "slipping" between gears and what i mean by that is traveling around 60mph I am at about 2k rpm then it will jump up to about 2.3k and go back and forth a few times. It was not driving up a hill or anything. I was thinking of doing a trans flush but have heard that it can actually mess up the transmission.
Sounds like the torque converter clutch locking and unlocking. Is the O/D OFF light blinking or the Check Engine Light on? If so, have the codes read with a decent scanner - there will be a clue there.


The other issue is turning left or right at about 2 and 10 oclock the steering will get really tight like I have no power steering but than go back to normal than back to tight. The wheel will also not return to center after making a turn.
This is unsafe. Take it to an alignment shop as soon as possible. Was this vehicle in an accident?

 

[koda2000]

Don't put any more time or money into this vehicle until you figure out what's going on with the t-case and transmission and do not flush the trans on a vehicle with 216,000 miles on it. Do a pan drop, filter and refill if you must.

BTW: As stated, when the front drive shaft has been removed, it's usually a sign of t-case problems. The AWD's will also creep down hills in PARK if the front d/s has been removed.

These problems are probably why the PO sold it for scrap value.

 

[Smoky1978]

I don't have any check engine lights and the OD is not flashing.

I did read about not parking on a hill with the front drive shaft out.

Is there any way to easily test the Tcase before I spend money on a U Joint.