Which is it? Trans or rear end?

[rhinouga]

Ok as I was driving home today I first noticed that my explorer felt very sluggish. Then I pulled up to a light, and as I tried to go it took it a second to move, and and then snapped forward hard. The revs did not really rise high, just to about 1500-1900 (is that the TQ Converter's stall speed?). So I stopped and tried again. Same thing. Then I pulled into a parking lot to investigate. If I stop and sit still for a moment, and then try to go again it will snap forward like before, and the move very sluggishly. Like about 1/2-2/3 of what it would normally do for that amount of the accel pedal. Then I tried reverse. VERY BAD. It shudders as i go backwards for about 10 feet, then it is sluggish like the forward mode. Now I know my rear end was going out, but this feels more like a trans. So I took the car home (about 2 miles), and drained the rear end fluid to see if there were and metal shavings or large chunks. None. The fluid was perfect (only 3500 miles old). There are no CELs or the O/D light is not flashing. This is tranny #2 (rebuilt 1.5 years ago by Ford). What else can I do to check the various parts?

Thanks in advance

 

[jimbo74]

it doesnt sound tranny or rear end related at all..... try to clean the maf, look at iac, tps

 

[rhinouga]

Wait a minute...So your saying that my MAF or IAT could cause a CLUNK form the trans or rear end, and a mechanical shudder? Maybe, but that would be new to me. Thanks but try again...

 

[aldive]

Originally posted by rhinouga
Wait a minute...So your saying that my MAF or IAT could cause a CLUNK form the trans or rear end, and a mechanical shudder? Maybe, but that would be new to me. Thanks but try again...

.... and the man is a mechanic.

I vote for tranny problems myself.

 

[rhinouga]

How might i check for tranny problems other than taking it apart/ draining and looking at bottom of trans?

 

[ok89]

I know if the rear slip yoke isnt lubed it will cause a clunk but that doesnt explain the sluggishness.

 

[rhinouga]

It's not like a u-joint clunk, but more of a trans/rear slipping clunk...

 

[jimbo74]

ok, well i orginally missed the clunk part when reading it and attributed the sluggishness to maf/iac/tps...... and now since the possiblity of a u joint is out, i say it may be the rear end.... your symptoms sound exactly what my friends bronco sounded like right before it went out on him.... he had to have 4x4 engaged all the way home on the freeway..... does it clunk all the time or just once in awhile? is clunked for half an hour constantly than we put it into park..... when we restarted it in gear it just shuddererd but didnt move although the driveshaft was spinning

 

[rhinouga]

It only clunks when I'm starting off. The rest of the time it shifts and drives fine, except for the sluggishness.

 

[jimbo74]

Originally posted by ok89
I know if the rear slip yoke isnt lubed it will cause a clunk but that doesnt explain the sluggishness.

maybe this and a dirty maf? other than that, i am pretty much stumped.....

 

[rhinouga]

Oh and I just cleaned the MAF 3500 miles ago. So it's probably not that.

 

[jimbo74]

is your air filter clean? my goped is acting all funky right now..... and the air filter is loaded with crap..... not cleaning it though.... the K&N should be here tomorrow

 

[rhinouga]

Air filter looks almost new. Plugs and wires are good. Basically engine runs perfect. The problem does not feel like an engine problem. I'm sure it's either the rear or trans. I know the rear was going bad, but there aren't any fresh shavings in it when I drained the fluid (there were a TON last time). The rear will be replaced now, but I'm trying to determine if I need to do the trans also (really don't want to).