surging at coast

[ummduh]

03 explorer, 5r55w, 4wd.

I moved across the country (WI to CA) towing around 4,000lbs, along with some gnarly 1st gear WOT mountain climbs. Trip was about 2600 miles total.

Shortly after I got here(a couple weeks later), I started to notice that at a coast the driveline seems to buck intermittantly. If you apply any sort of gas, it smooths out. At coast though, it feels like you're hitting shallow pot holes in the road, so much so that it took me a while to notice it.
the truck has around 60k miles on it.

Any ideas? The trans doesn't do anything weird, shifts perfect.

The only other problem I've been having is random stalling while shifting from R to Drive. For some reason an oil change usually takes care of that. Usually I'd be thinking about the AIC, but again, it doesn't do anything else wierd.

The only thing I've done with the Ex is new plugs, I used NGK Iridium plugs. That really helped with the random stalling, but it still does it every once in a while.

Any ideas? Mostly worried about the bucking/surging issue.

 

[ummduh]

03 explorer, 5r55w, 4wd.

I moved across the country (WI to CA) towing around 4,000lbs, along with some gnarly 1st gear WOT mountain climbs. Trip was about 2600 miles total.

Shortly after I got here(a couple weeks later), I started to notice that at a coast the driveline seems to buck intermittantly. If you apply any sort of gas, it smooths out. At coast though, it feels like you're hitting shallow pot holes in the road, so much so that it took me a while to notice it.
the truck has around 60k miles on it.

Any ideas? The trans doesn't do anything weird, shifts perfect.

The only other problem I've been having is random stalling while shifting from R to Drive. For some reason an oil change usually takes care of that. Usually I'd be thinking about the AIC, but again, it doesn't do anything else wierd.

The only thing I've done with the Ex is new plugs, I used NGK Iridium plugs. That really helped with the random stalling, but it still does it every once in a while.

Any ideas? Mostly worried about the bucking/surging issue.

Any ideas? It seems to be getting worse. I plan on doing an ATF flush with Mercon V and lubeguard in the near future, but i'm hoping it doesn't let loose or something soon. BTW, if you lock out o/d it seems to actually be worse. I can't decide if it is the trans or the engine. No trouble codes have been set for anything.

 

[ummduh]

Ok, pretty sure it isn't the transmission anymore. Was driving it yesterday and it does it even in neutral. It is definetly dulled a bit in neutral, but is still there.

So, where should I even start? Some things I've been thinking of are, the t-case going out, or a driveshaft problem. All the u joints are tight, there is no slop in the driveshafts. How would you go about diagnosing the tcase?

This is why I am thinking this. When we towed our trailer cross country, there were a couple of times where braking, the front wheels got into dirt and started locking up, while the rears with all the weight obviously didn't lock.

Is it possible I managed to mess up the viscous coupling in the case? ANY ideas whatsoever? I absolutely loath letting other people work on my vehicles but I don't even know where to start with this one.

 

[ummduh]

Don't everyone jump in at once, now.

haha (sarcasm, i know, difficult to internet diagnose)

Can anyone enlighten me on "SSM 16929" per the dealer? They flashed the computer today as part of a diagnose, failed to turn up anything, only cited this.

Seems to have fixed it, but I only drove 2 miles back from the dealer so far.

 

[Charlie]

Well, I have no idea of your problem, but where in WI did you move from?

 

[ummduh]

Milwaukee.

 

[towbar]

Did you ever figure out what is wrong with this cause mine is doing the exact same thing?

 

[manaen]

Sounds like its time for a total tuneup. when was the last time you replaced the plugs and wires and air filter?

Also check for vacume leaks. My bet is on the wires, eventually the computer will throw a code for the miss, but it can take a while if the miss is intermittent.

 

[manaen]

Maybe I should clarify total tuneup
1) fuel filter
2) Air filter
3) wires
4) plugs
5) clean MAF
6) clean IAC
7) fuel injector clean (if you haven't done this run a few rounds)
8) oil change
9) before you do all that do a seafoam treatment in the engine.

 

[ummduh]

disconnecting the transfer case wiring/fuses fixed the jerking/surging.

since I moved to nice weather, I am actually currently considering yanking all the 4wd BS and converting to 2by. Especially since I now have a bearing going out somewhere in the front, doesn't feel like a wheel bearing.. More like a pinion or carrier bearing.

BTW, I put new plugs and air filter in a few months back in the summer. Wires were still in great shape visually and mechanically- I'll probably change them anyways soon though, 66k miles.

Have to do the rest of it though- been slacking. No Seafoam though. The way we drive carbon doesn't have a chance to build up.