Shudder in low speed turns.

[Rick_EE]

I have seen a couple threads relating to this, but no one posted what the fix was, including one with my exact same vehicle, so I will try here.

'98 Explorer XLT 5.0L V-8 AWD 4404 viscous coupling in the transfer case.

I have been experincing a shudder (intermittently) when in low speed turns. Especially when leaving from a stop.

I took it to a transmission shop and they said it was the viscous coupling. The replaced it and rebuilt the transfer case. I took it home and the problem re-appeared. I went back to the shop and he thinks I got a bum coupling. I tend to doubt this since the problem is exactly the same. That is where we are now.

I had thought of looking for a sticky brake caliper, but that really doesn't make sense.

I started some searching and found this place. The only other thing I have found is this TSB . Of course I don't know the contents of the TSB.

Anyone have any ideas?

Thanks

 

[gijoecam]

Do you have a limited slip diff? If not, then I'd also still suspect the VC in the transfer case. If you do have a limited slip, has it been serviced recently? It could be the clutches in the limited slip chattering when cornering. A bottle of friction modifier for the Ford Trac-Loc limited slips added to the gear lube sometimes does the trick.

 

[Rick_EE]

I don't know if I have the limited slip diff. How can I tell? I did have the 100,000 mile service done at in May.

Is it common to get a bad replacement part that shows the same symptoms?

Someone at work was wondering about the CV joints.

 

[Homerexplorer]

I've got the same thing but it only happens in reverse?! I found a sticking caliper, freed it up and it went away for a couple of days but I think it was a coincidence. It's back. It only happens when I back up and lightly apply the brakes, usually while turning. If I don't apply the brakes, it doesn't happen. Would that be the VC? Sorry, I don't mean to hijack the thread.

 

[Rick_EE]

For me, it happens in forward and reverse. It also seems to happen mainly when I apply the brakes. I did have a bad pinion in the tranfer case. At least that is what the tranny shop said.

We might pull the wheels off this saturday and look at the calipers.

 

[df_EB2000]

I've noticed the same thing lately. It is more pronounced in reverse while turning but I also notice is occasionally at slow forward speeds going straight down the road. Interested as to what this is also.

 

[Skibug]

Check, both upper and lower ball joints. I had a low speed shutter when turning and I replaced the ball joints and no more shudder.

 

[Homerexplorer]

Mine are new (6 months)

 

[Dan3000and1]

I have the same problem. Only when turning sharply from a stop at low speeds. I am very interested to see what the problem may be.

 

[Rick_EE]

My ball joints are originals. I just wish it wasn't so expensive to find out if they are the cause. I am already in $1100 for the VC and rebuilt xfer case.

 

[Dan Whitaker]

I don't know if I have the limited slip diff. How can I tell? I did have the 100,000 mile service done at in May.

Is it common to get a bad replacement part that shows the same symptoms?

Someone at work was wondering about the CV joints.

Look on the drivers door at the sticker that has the build date. At the bottom it will give the axle code. If it starts with the letter D it has a limited slip.

 

[Runnin'OnEmpty]

I also had a low speed shudder on turning, when I first bought my 2000 Sport. The cure was to change the power steering fluid. Simple and easy, and it cured the shudder for the last 50K miles. Apparently the spool valve in the rack & pinion unit was sticking.....?

This may not apply to you guys; just thought I'd mention it.

 

[Rick_EE]

Look on the drivers door at the sticker that has the build date. At the bottom it will give the axle code. If it starts with the letter D it has a limited slip.

Axel Code is D4.

 

[badazz89lx]

i was told its something in the design of the front end..its very common and actually gets worse when you replace the ball joints..there is also a way of fixing it by purchasing another item..but of course i forget what that is..this is what i was told when i got mine done...mine is about the same as it was prior to the joints etc getting replaced

 

[Rick_EE]

I wonder if it is in the TSB? I may pony up at alldata.com and find out.

 

[Rick_EE]

We did a little digging today. Ball joints are ok.

There was a noise when turning the steering wheel. Kind of a shake or grunt.

I found a TSB relating to this and the cure could be range from purging the power steering system to replacing the steering assembly. The TSB seems to describe my problem, but not sure yet. I still need to deal with the place that replaced my viscous coupling. Not sure what I am going to do there.

 

[Rick_EE]

I took it to the dealer on the cruise control recall and had them look at it.

They said the rear clutches were chattering and we added the friction modifier. It seems a little better but not fixed. Looks like they will have to be rebuilt.