What's the Difference????

[drivingmecrazy]

94 Explorer 4x4 is in engaged manually but has the LOUD growling constant noise, the mechanic says it is either the differential or the T-Case making it. How can you tell which one is doing this. We were told not to use it at all.

We only use it occassionally when there is a lot of snow or ice on the roads but other than that we don't go off road with it and never use it in the summer warmer months.

It engages and disengages fine and at all times but when its engaged it is getting worse. We need your fine answers before this mechanic starts putting parts on our truck we dont need. He is pretty much guessing at this. We need this truck it's the only one we have and my husband is a freak when it comes to driving in the winter. :fire::

 

[DeRocha]

94 Explorer 4x4 is in engaged manually but has the LOUD growling constant noise, the mechanic says it is either the differential or the T-Case making it. How can you tell which one is doing this. We were told not to use it at all.

We only use it occassionally when there is a lot of snow or ice on the roads but other than that we don't go off road with it and never use it in the summer warmer months.

It engages and disengages fine and at all times but when its engaged it is getting worse. We need your fine answers before this mechanic starts putting parts on our truck we dont need. He is pretty much guessing at this. We need this truck it's the only one we have and my husband is a freak when it comes to driving in the winter. :fire::

Do you have automatic locking hubs on the front wheels, or manual hubs (which you must lock by turning them by hand)?

To eliminate the T-case as the source of the problem you can engage 4x4 which will lock the front hubs. If you then disengage 4x4 the T-case will be 100% disconnected from the front drive shaft (but the hubs are still locked) the wheels will rotate the front axle shafts and ring gear). If the problem is still present then the issue isn't related to the T-case.

 

[drivingmecrazy]

To eliminate the T-case as the source of the problem you can engage 4x4 which will lock the front hubs. If you then disengage 4x4 the T-case will be 100% disconnected from the front drive shaft (but the hubs are still locked) the wheels will rotate the front axle shafts and ring gear). If the problem is still present then the issue isn't related to the T-case.

We have manual hubs. They are locked in and I push the button in the truck for 4whi and start to go and the that loud growling noise starts and the faster you go the louder it gets. We unlock the hubs after disengaging it and the sound goes away. Even if they are left in lock position but not engaged it doesnt make that sound. I have read other threads about normal noise and this is definitely not the case. We replaced the spindle bearing and tighten up the wheel bearings and replaced every U Joint on it last year. Please Please help

 

[drivingmecrazy]

Please anyone out there I need help with this asap. It's driving me crazy I dont know how much longer the Explorer can hang on with out your help

 

[DeRocha]

To eliminate the T-case as the source of the problem you can engage 4x4 which will lock the front hubs. If you then disengage 4x4 the T-case will be 100% disconnected from the front drive shaft (but the hubs are still locked) the wheels will rotate the front axle shafts and ring gear). If the problem is still present then the issue isn't related to the T-case.

We have manual hubs. They are locked in and I push the button in the truck for 4whi and start to go and the that loud growling noise starts and the faster you go the louder it gets. We unlock the hubs after disengaging it and the sound goes away. Even if they are left in lock position but not engaged it doesnt make that sound. I have read other threads about normal noise and this is definitely not the case. We replaced the spindle bearing and tighten up the wheel bearings and replaced every U Joint on it last year. Please Please help

It sounds like you replaced much of the components that would cause such a problem. :scratch: The spindle bearing comes into play whenever the hubs are locked or 4x4 is on.. In either case the axle shaft will rotate through the bearing (so a spindle bearing isn't your problem since you're able to drive with the hubs locked). You replaced all 8 U-joints? Kudos if you did as many people will only replace the one they suspect are bad.

Have you check the fluid level in the front differential? Is the sound constant or does it change at different speeds or when turning? Does it sound like its the passenger or driver's side?

Since you have manual hubs you can leave them unlocked and then engage 4x4High.. The T-case will power up the front drive shaft and axles, but will not be connected to the wheels.. This test is to see if the noise occurs when the hubs are out of the equation.

 

[drivingmecrazy]

Have you check the fluid level in the front differential? Is the sound constant or does it change at different speeds or when turning? Does it sound like its the passenger or driver's side?

fluid looks metalic silvery. The sound is constant like the faster you go the faster and louder the growling goes. You do hear it when turning also cuz it never goes away. Its hard to tell if its on any particular side cuz its so loud we had thought it was coming from the drivers side. Took it to Ford and they assumed it was the spindle bearing causing it so replaced that and the noise is still there while engaged.

I will go try that test you asked and get back with ya to let you know if it isnt related the the wheels or not

 

[drivingmecrazy]

Since you have manual hubs you can leave them unlocked and then engage 4x4High.. The T-case will power up the front drive shaft and axles, but will not be connected to the wheels.. This test is to see if the noise occurs when the hubs are out of the equation.




Left the hubs unlocked, pushed 4HI button, waited a few seconds, drove forward and backward; I heard no noise at all.

 

[DeRocha]

Left the hubs unlocked, pushed 4HI button, waited a few seconds, drove forward and backward; I heard no noise at all.

That indicates the T-Case is now connected to the front drive shaft which is connected to the diff and axles (the only part that is not connected is the HUBS).. As such your testing is pointing to a bad hub..

Repeat the 4x4H test and ensure it makes no noise..
Then

• Lock the Driver's hub only & driver around for a bit
• Lock the Passenger's Hub Only & drive around for a bit
• Lock them both again drive for a 100 feet only.

What where the results of each test? Also do you know if the HUBS were/are packed with grease?

 

[drivingmecrazy]

That indicates the T-Case is now connected to the front drive shaft which is connected to the diff and axles (the only part that is not connected is the HUBS).. As such your testing is pointing to a bad hub..

Repeat the 4x4H test and ensure it makes no noise..
Then

• Lock the Driver's hub only & driver around for a bit
• Lock the Passenger's Hub Only & drive around for a bit
• Lock them both again drive for a 100 feet only.

What where the results of each test? Also do you know if the HUBS were/are packed with grease?

Alright I did the test;
Locked the driver side only drove it a bit; no noise
Locked the passengers side only drove it a bit; no noise
Locked both in and drove it 100 ft; the loud growling was there
The hubs werent packed just the bearings.

 

[drivingmecrazy]

Is anybody out there?

I need help on this post here there has been alot of lookers and not enough answers. Please!! My head is hurting trying to figure this crap out. Is it the differential or the TCase?

 

[MrShorty]

Not certain, yet. It sounds like it's either the ring and pinion or the transfer case. Here's what I'd do next.

Pick all four wheels off of the ground. Run through a series of scenarios (one or both hubs locked, 2H, 4H, etc). and listen with a stethoscope or similar to see if the noise is coming from the diff or the t-case.

If you can't do this safely, get someone to diagnose it for you. Your life isn't worth saving a $50 diagnostic fee.

 

[drivingmecrazy]

Reply to Message

Thanks MrShorty for the help. We took it to the mechanic. Hope he can figure out whats wrong. I appreciate the help.

 

[DeRocha]

Not certain, yet. It sounds like it's either the ring and pinion or the transfer case.

IMO it doesn't sound like the Transfer Case.. Drivingmecrazy indicated the vehicle could be driven in 4x4 High with one hub locked and it made no noise.. As such the T-Case would be sending identical power to the front and rear drive shafts. The only differences is that the front shaft is sending power to the wheel with least resistance (the unlocked hub). As such I would think the issue lies within the front differential (I still don't why the noise wouldn't be present when both hubs are locked :scratch .

 

[drivingmecrazy]

DeRocha and MrShorty
It is finally fixed. It ended up being the driveshaft that only turns when the 4wd is engaged, all those yokes and joints on a short shaft was the grinding noise. All is well and done now. I did mention in the other post that I had Locked both hubs in and the grinding was there. The job only cost me $100 instead of $400.

Thanks Again

 

[DeRocha]

...We have manual hubs. They are locked in and I push the button in the truck for 4whi and start to go and the that loud growling noise starts and the faster you go the louder it gets. We unlock the hubs after disengaging it and the sound goes away. Even if they are left in lock position but not engaged it doesnt make that sound.... We replaced the spindle bearing and tighten up the wheel bearings and replaced every U Joint on it last year. Please Please help

It sounds like you replaced much of the components that would cause such a problem. :scratch: ... You replaced all 8 U-joints? Kudos if you did as many people will only replace the one they suspect are bad.

DeRocha and MrShorty
It is finally fixed. It ended up being the driveshaft that only turns when the 4wd is engaged, all those yokes and joints on a short shaft was the grinding noise. All is well and done now. I did mention in the other post that I had Locked both hubs in and the grinding was there. The job only cost me $100 instead of $400. Thanks Again

Glad the problem was found and it turned out to be a common issue and relatively inexpensive to fix. The front driveshaft will turn if 4x4 is engaged or the hubs are locked. The difference is that when both 4x4 is engaged and the hubs are locked the driveshaft and axles are no longer free wheeling, they are being powered under torque. Unfortunately I was thrown off my assessment by your comments in Blue: when you indicated you replaced all the U-joints and that the noise wasn't occurring with the HUBS locked and 4x4 off