Problem with my 4x4

[redneckin]

ok, aout 2 weeks ago i bought my '94 Navajo LX 4x4, and the 4x4 i thought was working. but i think its having issues engaging/disengaging, so ill tell you guys exactly what its doing and hopefully i can fix the issue.

ok, driving today i got myself in a sticky situation (lol that required the use of my 4x4. it says driving at regular speeds i can put it in 4x4 Hi in drive. so i held the button and waited for it to light up. i didnt feel any clunk, pop or nothing. i dont think it went in, so i tried another approach.

i shifted it into nuetral, held the "Low Range" button, and then i heard the clunk which let me know it was in 4x4 Low range. so i get to driving, and it doesnt even feel like its in 4x4, no steering stiffness, no wheelspin, nothing. the rear tires spun ike crazy and i did not even feel the front spin at all when they should have, or at least i believe they should have.

and then driving back onto the road, shifted out of low range, and shifted out of hi, i started driving home. and then i hear this awful ratcheting noice coming from the front wheels. i shifted into reverse, mash the gas, and go back to drive and the noise stopped.

so i guess my question is, what is wrong with my 4x4? any help would be greatly appreciated.

thanks,
-Eric

 

[BWTGUY]

Sounds like the auto hub locks need service/work. I really need more info to diagnose the problem.
Try this list and repair How-to's

http://www.explorerforum.com/forums/search.php?searchid=6004425

 

[fastcharlie]

^agreed, sounds like your hubs. save yourself future hassle, get some manual hubs, much better. i have warn manual hubs on mine and there great

 

[BWTGUY]

How inexpensive do you want to go?

For durability and reliability, I agree with FASTCHARLIE that the WARNs are the best (I run a set). But for price, if your auto hubs are not destroyed, cleaning and re-installing them will cost the price of a can of lithium grease and a quart of parts cleaner about $20.00 or less, vice a set of WARNs ($175.00 to $250.00 and a pair of new hub nuts and spacers for the Warns-another $50.00 to $60.00 plus the hub nut socket another $10.00 TO $20.00 depending on quality) total at $280.00 average.

If money is no object, and several posters here are in that league, then by all means go with the WARNs. But if you are watching your dollars as closely as I do, then try repairs before replacements. That is the main thrust of this site, a bunch of guys that like the Exploders and willing to learn how to do it inexpensively but not on-the-cheep.

 

[BWTGUY]

Maybe to much lube

I just had another thought, if you over-lube auto hubs, they will not completely engage and do the same as you describe. Pull one front hub and see if they are heavily greased. Then if they are, check the auto-hub site I gave you for instructions on how to clean and re install. I am continually surprised how many so called professional mechanics continue to over lube 4X4 front ends.

Check it out and good luck. Post what you do/find here and we will continue to help.

 

[fastcharlie]

good point on the price there, another thought is to look for used manual ones. may not be ideal, but they work and can be had for cheap. i know almost everyone out here puts in manual hubs, even if its just a DD, so if you find someone parting one out, you could probably get the whole setup for 50-100 bucks. just another thought.

 

[anthony1993418]

with my 4x4 the button does not light up and nither does 4 low. when i push it, it does nothing no lights no engaging. has this happend to anyone else. i figured it may be a fuse

 

[fastcharlie]

with my 4x4 the button does not light up and nither does 4 low. when i push it, it does nothing no lights no engaging. has this happend to anyone else. i figured it may be a fuse

if only it was that easy.. its may be the button itself, but probably your shift motor(rebuildable, search the forums, theres a great thread on it) when you push the button, listen carefully. you should hear a click from the computer in the back( behind drivers side rear door kinda) if it clicks, its your button, if not, time for a rebuild or buy a new shift motor.

 

[tweakedlogic]

As far as the clicking, in my user manual ford suggested rolling backward a few feet after disengaging 4wd to unlock the hubs, so that sounds normal.

 

[fastcharlie]

no, not from your hubs. the computer in the back of the explorer makes a *click* when trying to engage your 4wd. if it doesnt make this click, it means the button isnt working properly. its located behind the panel that covers your drivers side rear wheelwell

 

[anthony1993418]

would the shift motor be a reason why the button and dash dont light up?

 

[anthony1993418]

and ill check if it clicks but i havent heard it

 

[redneckin]

well, i did plan on going with the warn manual locking hubs eventually, but didnt really want to do it this soon, i was gonna wait to do it after i complete my disc brake rear end swap and lockers, but the warns i found were only like 204 bucks which isnt really bad. but ill try and see if i can regrease them and if that will help.

it does get out of 4x4 is i mash the gas in reverse and the only reason i know that is because my rear tires spin as soon as its out, but it just dont feel like it engages like it should. and it doesnt bog down or drive out of the normal after i get it out, but the 4x4 in the high range doesnt seem to be working properly as i have too much rear wheel spin and the fronts barely move at all.

 

[fastcharlie]

would the shift motor be a reason why the button and dash dont light up?

yes because it wont be in 4wd- therefore not telling it to alert you that it is.

 

[anthony1993418]

but even when i manually put it in 4w by turning the shaft on the tcase it still doesent light up

 

[fastcharlie]

but even when i manually put it in 4w by turning the shaft on the tcase it still doesent light up

thats because if your doing it manually, it means you took your shift module off which means it cant read where it is therefore not being able to tell whether or not its in 4wd

 

[sirhk100]

Is there a way to actually test the shift button on the dash? I mean is it just a normal switch I can check the resistance on to see if it's working? Listening for a click doesn't seem like a really good start to diagnosing my problem. LOL If I wanted to listen for this click will it do it without the engine running like with just the ignition on? Which side is the computer on back there?