Should I remove my front drive shaft?

[ljeanne]

I have a 2002 Explorer xlt 4x4. It has been bucking when I accelerate, but goes away when put in 4x4. Some say transmission/torque converter, some say transfer case or maybe just new tires. They don't match in brand or wear. It was suggested to me if the front drive shaft could be removed to solve the problem? The truck has been awesome and has 211,000 miles. It's the only thing I have and I can't really afford a new car. I want a cheap best fix to get me through the summer with this thing. Any suggestions? Thanks!

 

[BrooklynBay]

Welcome to this forum! I've moved your thread to the stock 2002-2005 section.

 

[rrgone]

I have a 2002 Explorer xlt 4x4. It has been bucking when I accelerate, but goes away when put in 4x4. Some say transmission/torque converter, some say transfer case or maybe just new tires. They don't match in brand or wear. It was suggested to me if the front drive shaft could be removed to solve the problem? The truck has been awesome and has 211,000 miles. It's the only thing I have and I can't really afford a new car. I want a cheap best fix to get me through the summer with this thing. Any suggestions? Thanks!

The best fix is to get 4 matching tires. Your 4X4 control module is reading the different size tires you have as wheel slip and is engaging the t-case clutch to compensate. It is hard on the t-case to allow that to happen while driving on paved roads.

You could also pull fuses #17 and #18 in the power junction box, or do the brown wire mod. There is a sticky thread over in the 2002-2005 modded forum about the BWM. Read through that thread though, I believe there are some warnings about aggressive driving with the power off to the t-case.

How is your tranny holding up at 211k? That's pretty awsome if it's original.

 

[blue_goose]

211000 gives me hope for mine!
not sure if it is good for the vehicle or what negative effects it has but I just unplug my power control module (under the dash by glove box) and plug it in when i want 4x4. no problems as of 1.5 years doing this, it stays unplugged alot too. however, i have no idea if it is good for the vehicle, can mess things up, etc so definitly get another opinion before you go and do it. like i said, i have had no trouble and its much easier then the brown wire mod but I'm still not sure what the negative effects are.

 

[Thelt]

I have never had any problems with my automatic 4wd. I live on a dirt road and it is nice to have it there for any unanticipated loose gravel etc.

I would just get a set of tires that match if I were you. You are going to need a good set of tires eventually anyway so if you plan to keep the car a while you might as well get some decent tires.

 

[ummduh]

I took my front shaft off, and will soon be taking the whole front setup off. FWIW there is no adverse behavior from removing it. It didn't seem to effect my gas milage in the positive way I was hoping, either. (at all, I should say)

I have 0 use for 4wd out here anymore.