Question about transfer case

[parrothead]

OK I've been unable to find the problem with the shift motor(or the electical side) of the 4x4. Before I spent a ton of money fixing one problem I wanted to make sure everything else worked. Today I did my brakes and while I had it on the lift with the tires off the ground. I pulled the motor off took pliers and shifted the transfer case into 4 hi and 4 lo. The front engaged and spun, so I then took it down and went find some snow and ice.But the front would not engage all. It feel like it was in 4x4 when lo(shifted @ very low speeds and steering felt like the 4x4 was working.)but the second I went on some ice the backs spun and nothing from the front. Needless to say I got to walk back about a mile with my head between my legs in the cold to get a pull.Is this worth digging into it more? thanks in advance.

 

[ExplorerDMB]

what is the condition of your hubs?

-Drew

 

[parrothead]

I had them off today there wasn't any shavings are anything that I could see, but I really won't know whatelse to look for.would having the harness unplugged and the motor off make the transfer case ct different or is the problem most likely in the hubs ?

 

[DeRocha]

Do you have auto or manual hubs?

Autohubs are prone to failure as they are made of weaker components than manuals.. A big reason autohubs tend to fail is that mechanics not understanding them will GREASE them heavily.. Too much grease will hydraulically prevent the hub from engaging leaving your axle shaft to spin freely... The hubs should only get a thin film of grease to prevent rust. Check out the T-case and HUB sections in the explorer maint site in my sig line.