transfer case problems

[tyler1994]

i have a 1997 ford explorer 4x4 sport. it drives fine in auto until u hit the gas hard from stand still the front tires jerk a little and it pops a lot. Does this all the time in 4 wheel high and wont go into 4 low. Can anyone help me please im not sure if the switch isn't engaging or if i need a new transfer case or t case motor please help

 

[wood1]

Hey, welcome to the forum. I'm not sure from your post what's going on there but if you do a couple things you'll no doubt receive some suggestions:

-Engine size
-OHV/SOHC if 4.0L
-Which transmission
-Transmission history (last fluid/filter band adjustment, replacement?)
-Transmission fluid level checked?
-Transfer case last serviced
-Recent service history (ie: just had the engine rebuilt, or my neighbour just help me change my plugs and wires, now there is a problem etc etc)

A 97 can have 3 different engines and be either AWD or 4WD. I know that because you mention it is a sport (as long as you know that means it's a 2dr) that it can only be a 4.0L, but not everyone is going to know that.

Also, please use punctuation or point form to ask questions. Run-on sentences are hard to understand. You can see many people have looked at your thread and not commented, give us some more info and I will help you out the best I can.

 

[tyler1994]

it is a 4.0L. im not sure witch trans it has it is ohv i think. transmission was rebuilt 6 months ago. trans fluid level is good it is AWD it has auto 4x4 and 4x4 low on the switch not sure if transfer case was serviced i just got the explorer about a week or two ago thanks any help is needed

 

[wood1]

So in 2 wd you can drive it around no issues until you stomp on the gas? What does it do then?

Also, what makes you think that has anything to do with the transfer case? Is it because you can't shift into low?

 

[tyler1994]

yea if u stomp it when your siting steal it pops really bad and if u look at the front tires when u do it they look like there trying to grab and pull forward. and i took the front drive shaft out and drove it and it didn't pop one time even in 4x4 it didn't pop. so i put it back in and it didn't pop until i stomped it just like before and it went into 4 low 1 time and i took it right back out then put it in 4 high and it popped. now wont go in 4 low at all

 

[wood1]

I don't know what you are saying. It worked fine with the front driveshaft removed?

Dude, you must be texting or something. Us old guys don't speak text...

 

[tyler1994]

I
Sorry haha yes it worked fine no poping at all with driveshaft out. But still did not go into four low. I put the driveshaft back in and it still poped when in four high and when u stomp it.

 

[wood1]

http://www.explorerforum.com/forums/showthread.php?t=134671

http://www.scribd.com/doc/9571001/4x4-ford-owner-guide

http://www.explorerforum.com/forums/showpost.php?p=2109379&postcount=45

 

[tyler1994]

I have already searched all of those forums I can't find anything about my problem sorry

 

[wood1]

If there was no problem when stomping on the gas in 2 wd with the front drive shaft removed, I believe that isolates your problem to the front drivetrain, not the transfer case.

Do you shift into neutral when you are trying to put it in 4 low?

 

[tyler1994]

Okay that's what my dad was telling me and yes I had it in neutral foot on bake and I turned the knob. Nothing I can't even hear the motor turn.

 

[wood1]

If you remove the transfer case shift motor and manually select 4 low you will know if the problem is the shift motor and other electronics etc.

I find myself wondering if you have odd sized tires or is someone changed the front diff and did't get the right ratio or something.

because you have the auto 4 wd mode, there is a clutch in your transfer case. When in auto mode your front end is engaged and turning the same speed as the rear but not actually powering the front wheels. When the computer senses rear wheel slip it engages the transfer case clutch, powering the front. If your tires or gears were wrong it would act stupid in auto mode.

I'd probably jack the thing up all 4 corners, very carefully go through shifting into 4 wd, auto mode, 4 low both with the shift motor and manually.

As you don't have any auto hubs and you have CV joints in the front, that pretty much is the end of my suggestions.

If you do jack it up and try all that, be very careful. Do not be under or in front of the thing when the tires are turning on the jackstands. And use jackstands, not blocking or a jack. That would be dangerous and stupid.

 

[tyler1994]

It has 31 inch tires and I just replaced the driver side front hub it was torn apart. I had the back up on on jack sands put it in 4 high but I didn't hear the motor try to engage. I put it in drive and all it did was pop and the front tires were trying to move but wouldn't it would just pop.

 

[wood1]

I wonder if the front end disconnect is the problem? If it is slipping under extreme load it could be popping.

Your hubs aren't like the hubs on the 1st gen, auto and manual hubs right? From what I understand your hubs simply connect the wheel to the axle and do not engage off and on.

 

[tyler1994]

Yea they don't engage off and on they turn all the time

 

[wood1]

http://www.explorerforum.com/forums/showthread.php?t=203441&highlight=front+axle+disconnect

http://www.explorerforum.com/forums/showthread.php?t=236901&highlight=front+axle+disconnect

Get reading.

I would still jack it up and try removing the shift motor, you could also try it off to see if it is moving.

 

[tyler1994]

Thanks for the help im gone try this when I get home