Rear end binding 4x4 auto

[kdgauger]

I have a 2003 Explorer XLT 4WD 4.0L. Yesterday it started binding/popping in the rear end. It has a conventional axle; axle code 45. I know that the vehicle will automatically go into 4WD when the rear end loses traction. After doing some research, I think the truck may be engaging/disengaging 4WD as I drive down the road. A bad ABS sensor has been mentioned. I haven't checked the gear oil yet. Are their fuses that I can pull to keep the vehicle from going into 4WD to test whether this is the problem? Thanks for any help.

 

[CHAD HEDRICK]

I have a 2003 Explorer XLT 4WD 4.0L. Yesterday it started binding/popping in the rear end. It has a conventional axle; axle code 45. I know that the vehicle will automatically go into 4WD when the rear end loses traction. After doing some research, I think the truck may be engaging/disengaging 4WD as I drive down the road. A bad ABS sensor has been mentioned. I haven't checked the gear oil yet. Are their fuses that I can pull to keep the vehicle from going into 4WD to test whether this is the problem? Thanks for any help.

IF UR EXPLORER HAS LIMITED SLIP LIKE MY 02 V8 XLT 4X4 MY GUESS WOULD BE TO TAKE A GOOD LOOK AT THE CLUTCHES IN THE REAR DIFF FOR THE LIMITED SLIP. MINE ARE MAKING A TONNE OF NOISE ESPECIALLY ON TURNS. IVE TRIED A BUNCH OF THINGS WITH NO RESULTS, SO AT THE END OF THE DAY IM GONNA HAVE TO PULL THE DIFF OUT AND REPLACE THE CLUCTHES.

 

[TechGuru]

IF UR EXPLORER HAS LIMITED SLIP LIKE MY 02 V8 XLT 4X4 MY GUESS WOULD BE TO TAKE A GOOD LOOK AT THE CLUTCHES IN THE REAR DIFF FOR THE LIMITED SLIP. MINE ARE MAKING A TONNE OF NOISE ESPECIALLY ON TURNS. IVE TRIED A BUNCH OF THINGS WITH NO RESULTS, SO AT THE END OF THE DAY IM GONNA HAVE TO PULL THE DIFF OUT AND REPLACE THE CLUCTHES.

Yo NOOB, OP said it's a standard not LSD axle and code 45 is a open 3.55.

Have you tried adding a bottle of Friction Modifier? https://www.amazon.com/Ford-XL-3-Friction-Modifier-Additive/dp/B000NU5LP6

Axle Codes: http://www.explorerforum.com/ntrprize/Axle.htm

 

[TechGuru]

I have a 2003 Explorer XLT 4WD 4.0L. Yesterday it started binding/popping in the rear end. It has a conventional axle; axle code 45. I know that the vehicle will automatically go into 4WD when the rear end loses traction. After doing some research, I think the truck may be engaging/disengaging 4WD as I drive down the road. A bad ABS sensor has been mentioned. I haven't checked the gear oil yet. Are their fuses that I can pull to keep the vehicle from going into 4WD to test whether this is the problem? Thanks for any help.

Pull both 4x4 fuses or do the brown wire mod.

 

[kdgauger]

TechGuru, thanks for the info. The ABS light has been on for a while. Yesterday I had a flat tire and put down the spare on the left back. The vehicle started acting up after I put down the spare. One thing I checked was that the tires were the same size. Today I plugged the flat tire and put it back on the vehicle. I pulled the 4x4 fuses, 17 & 18, and went to get the ABS codes checked. I was told that I needed a new ABS control module but the vehicle had no problems with those fuses pulled. Later I replaced the 2 4x4 fuses and drove around some more. Again no problems. Maybe the size of the tires were different enough to cause the vehicle to go into 4WD. If the vehicle starts acting up again, I will pull the 2 4x4 fuses to see if that takes care of the problem. I still suspect that the vehicle was going in & out of 4WD.

 

[TechGuru]

TechGuru, thanks for the info. The ABS light has been on for a while. Yesterday I had a flat tire and put down the spare on the left back. The vehicle started acting up after I put down the spare. One thing I checked was that the tires were the same size. Today I plugged the flat tire and put it back on the vehicle. I pulled the 4x4 fuses, 17 & 18, and went to get the ABS codes checked. I was told that I needed a new ABS control module but the vehicle had no problems with those fuses pulled. Later I replaced the 2 4x4 fuses and drove around some more. Again no problems. Maybe the size of the tires were different enough to cause the vehicle to go into 4WD. If the vehicle starts acting up again, I will pull the 2 4x4 fuses to see if that takes care of the problem. I still suspect that the vehicle was going in & out of 4WD.

I've always read that all 4 tires must be a matched set at all times with these.

 

[Mountain_Ninja]

Yo NOOB, OP said it's a standard not LSD axle and code 45 is a open 3.55.

Have you tried adding a bottle of Friction Modifier? https://www.amazon.com/Ford-XL-3-Friction-Modifier-Additive/dp/B000NU5LP6

Axle Codes: http://www.explorerforum.com/ntrprize/Axle.htm

My apologies for awakening an older thread however Techguru, is it ok to add friction modifier to an Open 3.55? the manual is confusing to me because it says use 80W-90 see footnote 4 which states all axles are filled with 75W-140 with footnote 5 stating to add friction modifier for the LSD trans. Would adding friction modifier help or hurt a non-lsd?

 

[TechGuru]

My apologies for awakening an older thread however Techguru, is it ok to add friction modifier to an Open 3.55? the manual is confusing to me because it says use 80W-90 see footnote 4 which states all axles are filled with 75W-140 with footnote 5 stating to add friction modifier for the LSD trans. Would adding friction modifier help or hurt a non-lsd?

Adding the Motorcraft Friction Modifier to a NON-LSD would not do anything and just be a waste of money...

Most of the good brands of gear oil have some kind of it in it anyway like Lucas.