2002 Ford Explorer Logo
Posted on Sep 29, 2010
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I have a 2002 Ford Explorer with a 4.6 engine with the auto 4 wheel drive electric push button system (4x4 auto / 4x4 high / 4x4 low). When running in 4x4 auto (normal running mode), making hard turns the front wheels clunk badly. I lifted vehicle clear of ground. Under low load (800-1000 rpm) just the rear wheels spin when in drive. When rpm is brought up to 1000-1200 transfer case will engage front wheels so I assume the transfer case is transfering power to the front wheels properly. With all 4 wheels off the ground if I manually turn either front wheel it will turn freely and independently of the other front and rear wheels but will turn the front drive shaft to the transfer case. With rear wheels locked by the parking brake and the vehicle is still lifted, if I manually turn either front wheel the other front wheel will turn in the opposite direction however the opposite wheel will only turn after the manually turned wheel has been moved about a quater turn and the motion of the opposite wheel is not fluid but rather stammered. No dash indicator lights are on when running and the control modules are not clicking. When the ignition is turned on all continuity lights cycle correctly. To my knowledge the 2002 Explorers do not use an auto locking hub system as both 4X2 and 4X4 models use the same front hubs with the same replacement part numbers. Can you offer some advice to correct this problem?

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Jordan Waldrop

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  • Posted on Apr 29, 2014
Jordan Waldrop
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Your issue sounds like normal operation of a light truck 4X4 system. The front differential is geared to pull the truck. The differential will be an open differential on the front. The popping your most likely feeling is a combination of the stearing angles affect on reducing the tires contact surface to the road, and the bined that being placed on the cv axels at an extreme angle. I've had customers bring new cars back to the dealership with busted cv joint or the axel literally only attached by the wheel nut. If your not hearing or experiencing any clunking at 1/2 turn to 1/2 turn or during normal driving conditions I don't think you have anything to worry about.

Hope this helped.

  • Jordan Waldrop Apr 29, 2014

    Your issue sounds like normal operation of a light truck 4X4 system. The front differential is geared to pull the truck. The differential will be an open differential on the front. The popping your most likely feeling is a combination of the stearing angles affect on reducing the tires contact surface to the road, and the bined that being placed on the cv axels at an extreme angle. I've had customers bring new cars back to the dealership with busted cv joint or the axel literally only attached by the wheel nut. If your not hearing or experiencing any clunking at 1/2 turn to 1/2 turn or during normal driving conditions I don't think you have anything to worry about.



    Hope this helped.

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