Vibrating, binding type sound when turning hard, intermintant. | Ford Explorer Forums - Serious Explorations

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Vibrating, binding type sound when turning hard, intermintant.

GT2000

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Year, Model & Trim Level
98 Explorer V8 AWD
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Dora the explorer
I have a 98 Explorer 5.0 awd 148k, and sometimes when I turn the wheel when moving I get an odd binding noise or vibration. It's been doing this for about a month now, mostly in parking lots with stiff turns. It does it most times, but there has been times where It doesn't do it. It also does it during an aggressive pullout. Only seem to do it when wheels are turned in some way, left or right, and will do in reverse too. Tried putting in neutral while moving slow and turning the wheel, and doesn't seem to do it then. Tcase fluid was done about 7k miles ago, looked fine. Any ideas?
 



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Could be AWD or front diff acting up. Try pulling AWD fuse and see if its any different?
 












Could be AWD or front diff acting up. Try pulling AWD fuse and see if its any different?
There is no fuse - the AWD transfer case which came with the V8 is entirely mechanical; no electrical connections at all. However, it may make sense to check if the problem persist after disconnecting the front driveshaft, which will make it RWD. Make sure that your parking brake works well, because with the front driveshaft disconnected the truck will creep down an incline, even with the transmission in park.
 






There is no fuse - the AWD transfer case which came with the V8 is entirely mechanical; no electrical connections at all. However, it may make sense to check if the problem persist after disconnecting the front driveshaft, which will make it RWD. Make sure that your parking brake works well, because with the front driveshaft disconnected the truck will creep down an incline, even with the transmission in park.
I was unsure if '98 would have a computer control module for the AWD system, thank you for correcting me.
@GT2000 listen to this guy.
 






There is no fuse - the AWD transfer case which came with the V8 is entirely mechanical; no electrical connections at all. However, it may make sense to check if the problem persist after disconnecting the front driveshaft, which will make it RWD. Make sure that your parking brake works well, because with the front driveshaft disconnected the truck will creep down an incline, even with the transmission in park.
That's what I thought but i wasn't sure, the v8 awd ones are different. Maybe check the condition of the tcase fluid too while I'm under there.
 






Have you made sure it is not the inside of your bumper rubbing on the tire? I for years thought I had a reverse issue because in reverse at full turn the tire would rub. The sound was similar to what you describe.
 






Lol could you imagine having your transmission rebuilt just to find out your tire was rubbing 😂
 






I have a 98 Explorer 5.0 awd 148k, and sometimes when I turn the wheel when moving I get an odd binding noise or vibration. It's been doing this for about a month now, mostly in parking lots with stiff turns. It does it most times, but there has been times where It doesn't do it. It also does it during an aggressive pullout. Only seem to do it when wheels are turned in some way, left or right, and will do in reverse too. Tried putting in neutral while moving slow and turning the wheel, and doesn't seem to do it then. Tcase fluid was done about 7k miles ago, looked fine. Any ideas?

What condition are the tires in, and what do you know of all past tires, the diameter? AWD requires identical diameter tires, all four, all of the time. The AWD can last indefinitely with equal tires, but if they are allowed to wear unevenly, that creates excess heat in the AWD. The AWD is trying constantly to keep the tire speeds identical front to back.

If the AWD viscous clutch does fail, typically it virtually locks up, and that creates a huge binding in turns, as well as ruining the front differential. If you cannot find anything else, R&Ring the front drive shaft is the easiest way to test for a failed viscous clutch. Good luck,
 






If you pull the shaft, carry a set of wheel chocks with you.
 






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