97 EXPLORER...REAR WHEEL AND/OR SUSPENSION PROBLEMS

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fireman3412 - 27 Mar 2006 08:41 GMT

Recently, while making a hard right turn, the vehicle suddenly hesitated as
if it was in 4 wheel drive. However, when myself and my mechanic looked at
the problem the right rear wheel seemed to me slightly lifting off the ground
during the turn. My mechanic stated the spider gears in the "pumpkin" looked
slightly worn and slightly out of place but was not 100% sure that that was
the problem. He stated it could be anything from a simple ball bearing or
anyting else to a problem in the axle itself. The vehicle feels fine with
only a little resistance when driving straight and on soft turns but hard
turns is when it really drags. Can anyone help me?? I have a honeymoon the
plan and I need the cheapest logical solution.

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Ulysses - 27 Mar 2006 17:59 GMT

> Recently, while making a hard right turn, the vehicle suddenly hesitated as
> if it was in 4 wheel drive. However, when myself and my mechanic looked at
[quoted text clipped - 6 lines]
> turns is when it really drags. Can anyone help me?? I have a honeymoon the
> plan and I need the cheapest logical solution.

The simplest, most likely solution that I can think of is that if you had
your rear differential oil changed no friction modifier was added.

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fireman3412 - 30 Mar 2006 06:52 GMT

Well I just took it to a specialist and he said that without even driving out
of the lot he could tell it was stuck in 4 wheel drive, which would explain
why it was pulling so hard on hard turns and why the wheel was acting funny.
So now the only question is can it be fixed without breaking the bank. Does
anyone know how hard it is to get it out of 4 wheel and then disable 4 wheel
drive until I could have enough money to fix it if its expensive?

>> Recently, while making a hard right turn, the vehicle suddenly hesitated as
>> if it was in 4 wheel drive. However, when myself and my mechanic looked at
[quoted text clipped - 4 lines]
>The simplest, most likely solution that I can think of is that if you had
>your rear differential oil changed no friction modifier was added.

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Ulysses - 01 Apr 2006 19:03 GMT

> Well I just took it to a specialist and he said that without even driving out
> of the lot he could tell it was stuck in 4 wheel drive, which would explain
[quoted text clipped - 14 lines]
> --
> Message posted via http://www.carkb.com

I'm having some modem problems and my response got lost somewhere in
cyberspace.

Take a look at the post from 3/15 or 3/16 called "explorer 4x4 lights
flashing" or something like that. My reader seems to have deleted it.
Anyway, it discusses a slightly different problem than what you are having
involving a sensor on the transfer case. You did not say if your 4WD light
is flashing but my understanding is that if it was you would not have any
4WD instead of too much. According to Hayne's the control trac engagnement
is controlled inside the transfer case by the GEM (generic electronic
module) and you may or may not be able to manually move the transfer case
into the 2H position by removing the servo motor.

The control trac uses sensors to compare the speed of the front and rear
wheels and if they are different it will assume slippage and will engage 4H.
Different sized tires or worn tires could cause it to think it's slipping.

From what I've read you may need to have it read by a GEM diagnostics reader
(or whatever it's called) to pinpoint the problem

Hopefully someone who knows more about control trac will respond soon. I've
not had any problem with the 4WD on my '97 yet but have worked on the early
Explorer's 4WD problems.

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