1998 AWD Ford Explorer

[Richard Gregersen]

I need some help. I bought my wife this truck, and when you let up on the gas it will make a whinding noise ( Starts loud & then fads ) as your stopping or turning. If you give it gas the noise goes away, but then there is a clunk under the truck. All u-joints are good and the tires are all matched. I even had the guy that built my race car trans look at it, and of course it didn't make the noise. This is our first AWD truck. Mine is a F250 thats way cool to drive ( NO DIAL SWITCH ).

 

[1988dangerranger]

Is it engaged in 4x4?

 

[Richard Gregersen]

It's an AWD, and knob is on Auto. The other choices are high 4 & Low 4.
Thanks
Richard

 

[bilzy7]

I think he means is it engaged in 4wd as in stuck? That was my take on it. I just got a 98 awd xlt explorer. Love it. Just got done raping my ranger of shocks. Troubleshooting my 4x4 also. I love when previous owners can't tell you what they know is wrong with it and your stuck playing OMFG what did they do!

 

[bilzy7]

Is it a problem that is worse when turning? Like the clunking and winding and such? If so that would lead me to think 4x4 system, or steering. The way you describe it leads me away from engine issues... Again how it is described, if were taking it wrong let us know...

 

[Richard Gregersen]

No it just does it when leting of the gas. Then if you give it gas the whine goes away, and then there is a clunk noise and you can fill it through the floor. Like you my wife loves this truck, but then she was driving a mini-van before LOL who wouldn't over a mini-van. I like because I can work on this thing, and I couldn't even get the belt on the van LOL.

 

[Richard Gregersen]

Is there a light on the dash that says if it's in 4x4????

 

[1988dangerranger]

See the winding makes me think the hubs.. My broken ass hubs make a winding noise when I decelerate and when I accelerate it kicks them on so they work again..

 

[Richard Gregersen]

Like you wind up something real tight, and then just let go. The the sound just fads to silent. When backing up it can get a little rough filling in the truck, and when turning it sometimes fills a little rough.

Thanks
Richard

 

[1988dangerranger]

Hmm so its not like a ratcheting sound?

 

[bilzy7]

4x4 system is locked at hubs on explorers. They never unlock. It engages at the driveshaft with switch. Who knows I mean winding noises can come from many places but the clunk sounds like something engaging hard(4x4) when you hit gas. Then it being noisy when you let go of gas.
Mine has no noise but with 4x4 flipped on, it feels like it's towing something.

 

[bilzy7]

If it was just a clunk, I'd say a hard shift? Maybe combo of all the above?

 

[bilzy7]

Fill, you mean feel. Just saying... Confused me for a sec, I'm like what's filling the truck?

 

[Richard Gregersen]

It's is so dang hard to say what it sounds like. I will try though. It could be considered a grinding sound, but as I stated it starts out loud as you slow down to turn or stop the sound slowly goes down then nothing. I have a scaner,but no lights come on the dash.

Thanks for everyones help

 

[Richard Gregersen]

Your Right The college ed. is kicking in LOL. Bad typing finger