Transfer case binding up

[steel]

Can someone please explain how this works?

My 2002 Mountaineer is binding up in the front end when it turns. From what I have been able to gather here...the problem is the transfer case. I took the front drive shaft off and the problem went away and apparently this is the trick for pinpointing the trouble.

So...how in the world can a transfer case be binding up when the vehicle turns? Wouldn't it have to be the differential or CV axles that are causing the problems? Obviously it is not either of these because they were still active when I took the drive shaft off and drove it with no troubles.

The AWD concept is new to me and I am still in the manual transfer case mode when it comes to how things work. Any information to help me on my way would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks.

 

[jrford]

You should have AWD which also means you have no buttons on the dash? No buttons than that would be a Borg Warner 4410 xfr case or AWD. With AWD there is something called a viscous clutch which can go bad and cause symptoms you describe. It can fail locked up or open just depends.

HOWEVER if the CV joints or drive shaft have any play or are very worn them it may cause it too, removing them should have eliminated those . .the diff should also spin freely without any noise. . .you kinda of want to make sure it could only be that Viscous clutch as its costly $$$$.

 

[steel]

You should have AWD which also means you have no buttons on the dash? No buttons than that would be a Borg Warner 4410 xfr case or AWD. With AWD there is something called a viscous clutch which can go bad and cause symptoms you describe. It can fail locked up or open just depends.

HOWEVER if the CV joints or drive shaft have any play or are very worn them it may cause it too, removing them should have eliminated those . .the diff should also spin freely without any noise. . .you kinda of want to make sure it could only be that Viscous clutch as its costly $$$$.

So is the binding a problem caused by the difference in the path between the front wheels and the back wheels?

I was originally thinking it was the difference between the two front wheels causing the problem.

Other than removing the drive shaft and driving it (all troubles went away) is there any other tests I should do to further make sure the problem is the viscous clutch? Is the viscous clutch a part in the transfer case or is it in the differential? I was thinking transfer case but now I'm not so sure.

 

[thepotroast]

Might be a silly question, but do you rotate your tires regularly and are the tires not only the same size, but also about the same amount of wear?

AWD doesn't work to well when you have tires with different tread amounts left on them, throwing off the diameter of the tire.

 

[jrford]

So is the binding a problem caused by the difference in the path between the front wheels and the back wheels?

Yes in turns and they spin at different rates, which the viscous compensates for.

I was originally thinking it was the difference between the two front wheels causing the problem.

they could but with the drive shaft removed . . i would think it would still do it, if the diff was the problem i'd think you would hear it . .roar sound all the time.

Other than removing the drive shaft and driving it (all troubles went away) is there any other tests I should do to further make sure the problem is the viscous clutch?sure.

Inspect for anything really out of wack in the drive shaft, CV joints. The drive shaft removal usually confirms the problem

Is the viscous clutch a part in the transfer case or is it in the differential? I was thinking transfer case but now I'm not so sure.

Its in the transfer case. If you search on B&W 4410 and the older version is a 4404 you can find pics.

http://www.explorerforum.com/forums/showthread.php?t=214895
first link.

they are not cheap . . . .and requires a full tear down and rebuilt transfer case.

 

[Mussin]

I think my ouunty is doing this as well...First the tranny now this... It is real bad in parking lots, it sounds like I have a spool in my Mountianeer!?!?! Can you just leave the front DS unhooked?


Jeremy

 

[steel]

Might be a silly question, but do you rotate your tires regularly and are the tires not only the same size, but also about the same amount of wear?

AWD doesn't work to well when you have tires with different tread amounts left on them, throwing off the diameter of the tire.

I just bought it so I have not even had a chance to rotate the tires.

I do need to check the diameters of all of the tires though. This is something I have heard mentioned before.

Would it really make that much of a difference just from the tires being a little out of whack?

 

[steel]

Yes in turns and they spin at different rates, which the viscous compensates for.



they could but with the drive shaft removed . . i would think it would still do it, if the diff was the problem i'd think you would hear it . .roar sound all the time.

Inspect for anything really out of wack in the drive shaft, CV joints. The drive shaft removal usually confirms the problem




Its in the transfer case. If you search on B&W 4410 and the older version is a 4404 you can find pics.

http://www.explorerforum.com/forums/showthread.php?t=214895
first link.

they are not cheap . . . .and requires a full tear down and rebuilt transfer case.

Thanks fo all the info.

 

[steel]

I think my ouunty is doing this as well...First the tranny now this... It is real bad in parking lots, it sounds like I have a spool in my Mountianeer!?!?! Can you just leave the front DS unhooked?


Jeremy

From what I read here...the truck will creep when parked without the front drive shaft.

It seems to me that just using the parking brake should solve this problem.

I was going to just remove the driveshaft for the summer and stay out of the mud. When I went to check my parking brake...there was no shoe left at all.

You might want to get a more informed opinion on this though.