2001 Expedition XLT 5.7L 4x4 issues when in 4HI/4LO

[davidp423]

Hey,

I did some searching and I cant seem to find the exact issue I'm experiencing. It all started today after going somewhat off-roading. Nothing crazy just some puddles and a hill climb. Before this my 4x4 worked with no issues when I switch from A4WD to 4HI and 4LO. Starting today something weird started happening.

When I switch to 4HI it seems like things are normal when the car is going straight but as soon as I turn the wheel to take a normal/sharp turn from a standstill, right or left, it feels like there is resistance coming from the tires when I give gas, they squeal as I give gas and it makes a rubbing type noise coming from the front end and through the steering wheel. This happens when I give gas, when I let go of gas it pretty much stops itself inplace. It feels like the car is resisting from turning the tires and wants to stop itself (kinda what it feels like in 4LO (which also started doing the same thing). Before today I did not have any issues that I felt with the 4HI/4LO, it was smooth driving in the modes even when turning from a standstill. I best can describe it as the wheels feel like they want to lock up, its resisting traction and they squeal against the pavement as I give gas. The strange rubbing/resistance feeling is there when I apply throttle
Is my 4x4 going out. I will try to get a video and upload it if it would help.

Thanks, btw its a 2001 XLT 5.7 4x4 with 165k miles.

 

[jlo82585]

it sounds like your driveline is still locked in which would create the "dragging" while turning. when you switch to AWD it should unlock the front and allow for better turning. is this only in 4hi and low? can you feel the t-case shift in and out when its in neutral switching from hi to lo?

 

[davidp423]

Thanks. It only does the dragging thing when in 4hi/4lo not in while in a4wd. When I switch to the 4lo in neutral I could hear the loud clicking clank sound and when switching to 4hi from 4lo I hear the click. When switching from 4hi to a4wd and vice versa I hear a softer click over.

 

[jlo82585]

okay well you transfer case sounds okay, I would check the under carriage for any debris, since you were off roading its possible you have something stuck up front. if it is all clean my next step would be to check the front CV joints and make sure they are free and dont have any shaft play by gripping the shaft and trying to pull it in or out, it should move very little if at all. my last idea would be to check the front differential, you should have heard it go bang if it went bad but hey, stranger things have happened

 

[davidp423]

all those things seem fine.

 

[davidp423]

I am beginning to think that im just confused and this is normal. a4wd is completely fine and drives straight and normal. i did not mention that these 4hi 4lo "issues" only exist on dry pavement/asphalt which upon further reading i found out that i am NOT supposed to turn 4hi/4lo on dry pavement/asphalt and the symptoms i am experiencing is just 4 wheel drive functioning normal as it should. turning the 4 wheel drive on regular roads is damaging to the system. am i correct? sorry for my ignorance

 

[bedrck46]

You will encounter that if you are on dry pavement That is why it is recommended not to use 4hi or 4lo on dry pavement. One thing you may want to do if you haven't already is with the mileage on the expy would be to change all fluids.

 

[YoungKraze]

this happend on mine when i bought the truck in january i was trying to turn on th Ac and accidently put it on 4hi and all i heard was grinding from the truck

 

[bedrck46]

this happend on mine when i bought the truck in january i was trying to turn on th Ac and accidently put it on 4hi and all i heard was grinding from the truck

Is something strange here? Lets see Chicago? January? and trying to turn on the AC Now turning on the 4hi makes sense but AC.

 

[Mediamonkey11]

Is something strange here? Lets see Chicago? January? and trying to turn on the AC Now turning on the 4hi makes sense but AC.

Prolly to make sure it works or to defrost

 

[bedrck46]

there is a difference between turning AC on as compared to turning defrost on

and would it really work in January in Chicago if you wanted cold air just open a window

 

[YoungKraze]

I mean The heat Is in it called an A/C

 

[tojohnso]

Forget the 4x4 issue, I'm impressed he has the 5.7L

 

[nsperf]

what you are experiencing is normal operation
4WD HIGH OR LOW applies torque to both the front and rear axles evenly. When going straight this is no issue. However when in a tight turn under load, the rear axle is trying to push while the front axle is trying to pull this causes a slight binding on front wheel applying power to the ground. When in 4WD larger radius turns will eliminate this. Nothing to worry about but it is normal.

Hope this helps