Transmission/whirling noise.

[rookieshooter]

Need some advise on my 97 X 4wheel drive tranny.
It has 214,000 and it just started today making, as best as I can describe it, a whirling noise when I let off gas. As if the tranny reving up. Real loud. Then it stops when gas is given again. I noticed a pugnent smell also. Seems that the smell is gone. Tranny fluid is full and seems the right color and the smell of the fluid seems right so far. I only went about 3 miles when this happened and turned back home.

And ideas?

 

[rookieshooter]

Update, just lost reverse when trying to back up drive way. Could a dirty filter cause this?

 

[KPT]

Its the transfer case. You have the shift rail bore issue.

 

[Glacier991]

Beat me to it, I strongly suspect your transfer case, not the tranny.

 

[rookieshooter]

Knew I'd get some answerers on this thread. One of the most informative on the entire site. Going to research it. Thanks.

 

[rookieshooter]

Is this the Sticky I should be reading? Also I have not had 4low for over a year.

http://www.explorerforum.com/forums/showthread.php?t=123542

 

[KPT]

No you need this thread.

http://www.explorerforum.com/forums/showthread.php?t=182071

 

[rookieshooter]

Thanks for the info guys.
After reading Brian's thread on shift motors, even though that's not the problem. I went and pulled it off and did the rebuild thing. It was actually in good shape other then some good cleaning and some 1500 grit that I gently wiped the armature down with.
The hardest part was getting those 3 little #10 tork bolts out. I could not get the tork fitting to go inside. So I just got out my cutting wheel, no I did not cut the heads off I just cut a slot so my regular flat screwdriver fits. After doing two I immediately went into my first aid box to apply a band aid where the wheel just jumped onto the side of my left hand, cut through glove, and proceeded to cut the same notch in in my hand Ouch.

At any rate may tackle transfer case later. But then again wife says she wants a smaller car anyway and I might just have plans for the Explorer.

 

[gijoecam]

Its the transfer case. You have the shift rail bore issue.

Beat me to it, I strongly suspect your transfer case, not the tranny.

No you need this thread.

http://www.explorerforum.com/forums/showthread.php?t=182071

Ditto... Classic symptoms... but I've never heard of it failing that quickly... Generally it makes the grinding/buzzing noise for some time before finally letting go.

So, how bad was the damage?