serious problem after 4x4 stupidity

[thanatos9]

So I've never owned a 4wd vehicle before. We just got our first big snow and I couldn't wait to try out 4wd (i bought the '92 explorer in summer for $400). The drive way was drifted shut but I drove right out without breaking traction (I now love 4wd). Once I got to the main highway the roads were dry and clear of ice and snow. Then i noticed that about every mile or so i would get a big clunk that I heard and felt. Thought it was potholes but the road was smooth and it felt more from the drivetrain than from the suspension. The explorer was still in 4wd. That was yesterday. I get in it today and put it in reverse to back out of the garage. It shifts into reverse fine but doesn't drift backwards with the idle speed of the engine. I give it a little gas and i get the clunk/bang and then i'm moving backwards. It felt like the drivetrain was in a bind that broke free when i gave it some gas. Did i screw up my transaxle or transmission by drive in 4wd on a dry road for about 30 miles?

 

[kert0307]

Is the garage heated? I've had my tires literally freeze to the ground and had snow packed into the brakes melt and freeze, so I had to "break them loose" with a little gas to get my old ranger to move after hitting some drifts.

 

[Tbars4]

...It would also help if you had your location under your name...

...Do you have auto or manual hubs???..Are you still in 4wd and have you tried to put it into 2wd??

...I am thinking you trashed your transfer case...:scratch:

 

[thanatos9]

well snow was and still is packed in the two front rims.. the garage is not heated and it was -40F this morning.

It has manual hubs it is still in 4wd (i used it to get thru the drifts in the driveway) but it will shift back to 2wd which i put it in today suspecting the 4wd on dry pavment was a no no for more reasons than just tread wear. if the transfer case is toast, can i still use 2wd without fear of getting stranded?

 

[Tbars4]

...If you were driving around today I would say your tc may be ok but I would get under and check it out...

...Pulling out of your drive with the front wheels packed in snow would cause your morning problem...Also your rear drums will tend to freeze up...Both are frozen brake problems...

 

[thanatos9]

"get under and check it out." what would i look for? a busted housing or will i have to open it up and have a look inside?

 

[Tbars4]

...Cracks, leaks...I would also listen for rattling and clunks...

..You still have not let us know where you are located?

 

[thanatos9]

sorry edmonton, canada is where home is. I'll have to put that in my profile

 

[SuddenDeath]

I've had that "BANG" / "CLANK" before. Are you sure your 4wd is actually working? I'm suspecting you blew out a hub, as in violently. I've done it, but I have autohubs not manuals...but I'm assuming you can still trash manuals. I pulled a hub apart once and was greeted with shrapnel. I'd check that out. If you were moving your TC is okay. Also, could've been an axle shaft or a joint up front.

 

[gmanpaint]

Did you lock the hubs before shifting to 4WD, and then unlock the hubs when shifting to 2WD?

 

[westfield]

You said you were driving in 4x4 pm dry roads...that's a no no...Did you you drive in reverse for about 10 feet AFTER you took it out of 4x4 ?

 

[thanatos9]

here 's the sequence of events. locked manual hubs, put in 4x4, drive to town and back on dry pavement with the occasional clunking. next day- reverse out of garage still in 4x4 when i notice the binding i mentioned but this time, once i reached clear pavement I hit the 4x4 button to put it int 2wd but left the hub locked. When I returned, i hit the 4x4 button to engage 4wd so i could get back down my unshovled driveway. Maybe I'll stop on some snow and have the wife get out and see if all 4 wheels spin if i punch it. So I guess the question is, can driving straight on dry pavement ( i don't know when the tires were last rotated) ruin the drive train? If not, it might be a pre existing problem as I got it used 6 months ago with 160k all for the low low price of $400. In my mind I already got my money's worth out of it, but i would like to fix it, just not in my unheated garage during a Canadian winter.

 

[Mettler]

Outer U-joints