Stop reading the boards. Stay with this thread. We'll help you out.
First things first. Engine performance. Let's deal with that because it sounds the simplest. You have a restriction or a vacuum leak. The restriction is the most plausible thing right now. I lean towards an air restriction because the fuel system is sealed. Granted it is something that should be checked but YOU can't do it (it sounds) but you can check for air restrictions. So do that tomorrow.
If it turns up clear and there are no nests, the filter is good and nothing is blocking the inlet then we'll turn to the fuel filter and then on to vacuum leaks.
One thing at a time. You won't kill the truck driving it in 4WD (if it is). Just be easy on the corners. What can kill YOU is not having power when you need it to merge, evade etc.
Well, dont have much of an update but I gave in and took the truck to a German guy about 4 towns over. He replaced my water pump in my other truck and really seemed to know what he was doing. He "thinks" it has something to do with the drive train. I left the truck for him to start looking at and will find out more tomm. He said he is going to remove some belt and see if it drives as rough and grinds when it turns with this belt off. He said the name of the belt but he is German and sometimes difficult to understand. I dont know... does this sound like a possibility. I hadnt (and neither had anyone else) even thought anything about the drive train. Opinions?
First, listen to Monsta, he's spot on with what he is saying, he's good people and has been here for quite awhile.
The drive train is the transfer case, transmission, drive shafts and axles combined.
As far as a belt, he must be trying to relate to something else. Your serpentine belt, which drives your power steering, water pump, A/C and alternator, does not affect your drive train. Unless for some reason he is playing with the power steering components? He may also be speaking of the transfer case belt? If possible, have him point at where he thinks the problem may be.
Have you tried putting it in 4 wheel and taking it out? Can you tell us anything you or the mechanic may have tried? We need to know what you have done and the results for us to assist you more. This way we can eliminate possabilities and areas of concern. Even if you have trouble describing it, just try, we're here to help.
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If it ain't broke, fix it before it is, preventative maintenance costs less !! DOA @ 493,411+ FORD tough miles...
97 Expy XLT 2x4, 5.4
Well, ...it broke, so I replaced it...lol
Ok... I did go into the wet grass and put it into 4H, it did engage and I didnt feel the rough pulling or even hear the grinding when I did that. Of course I wasnt traveling more than about 5-8 mph Just enuf to spin it around and see if I Could feel the left or right grind, which I did not. I then put it back into 2H and it also engaged and back to the grinding and rough driving. The mechanic did not say the serpentine belt because when he replaced my water pump he replaced my serpentine (on the 98 exp) and I understood what he was talking about. I think he was also talking about the transfer case. I just called him and he said he is still taking things apart and is not sure yet what the problem is. HE will call me later. Soon as he does I wll post and let you know what he says. I just want to thank you all for helping me, everytime I have an issue you all are always there and willing to walk through it with me
I just got word from the mechanic. He said it is the rear diff. He said the fluid was half empty and he refilled it. I am on my way to pick up the truck now and I will let you all know how it runs
Well... I just picked up the truck from the mechanic. He filled it with rear diff oil, charges me 100 euro(about 15 UDS) and then tells me I need a WHOLE NEW AXLE or some crap. This just doesnt sound right to me! It is running a TAD better but the grinding is still obvious. On my way home my "check tire pressure" light came on. I headed straight to the shopette. I checked and all my tires were very low. On the tire (contis still as I have not had it long enuf to get the michellins) it reads max psi is 44. Does that seem high to anyone? My other trucks tires were max psi of 36? Anyway, needless to say they were all around 30-35 psi. It may be a figment of my imagination but the grinding when turning seemed less prounounced. I made an appt with a Ford dealer for next tuesday. I will "hopefully" find out the real story although this one seems to be boggling so far. Anyone have any opinions on the rear diff thing. If it is that wouldnt it be possible that its the cluth packs? Please let me know what you think.
Monsta, she mentioned earlier that the first mechanic did rev it above 2k and said it was fine.
For tire psi, check the inside of driver door for a sticker. It tells you the front and rear pressures recommended, plus gross vehicle weight and such. Without seeing the differential itself, its hard to say. It could be just shimming needed, possibly replacing the pinion and gear itself? Another possibility is the center bearing.....so be careful of what he tells you. As with any auto repair, get a second opinion. I know its tough over there, language barrier and all.
Does the base have an auto repair shop? I know they are self repair, but sometimes guys put cards up to do repairs. Plus the manager in charge may be able to assist you finding a local reputable mechanic.
__________________
If it ain't broke, fix it before it is, preventative maintenance costs less !! DOA @ 493,411+ FORD tough miles...
97 Expy XLT 2x4, 5.4
Well, ...it broke, so I replaced it...lol
Yes they do have a auto repair shop, but they limit the repairs to oil changes, brakes, simple stuff. Unless you can do it yourself their not really much of a help. We do have an aafes garage thats about an hour and a half away. I could go there tomm and "maybe" they can take a look at it. When all the soldiers deploy the garage gets busy and difficult to get help. If it is something you mentioned, is it safe to drive?
Well, be careful, as long as the fluid is good, it should be alright, but don't speed. Be sure to keep alert for the noise getting louder.
__________________
If it ain't broke, fix it before it is, preventative maintenance costs less !! DOA @ 493,411+ FORD tough miles...
97 Expy XLT 2x4, 5.4
Well, ...it broke, so I replaced it...lol
If the engine is okay then I'll move on to the other problem.
This appears to be the classic Limited Slip problem that plagued the early Expeditions. Early meaning the new body style and rear IRS addition.
I had the same problem three times. Grinding in turns, howling when you on the gas etc. etc.
It may be helped a bit by making sure the diff has the proper amount of friction modifier in it. If he added fluid I doubt he added the required friction modifier too. Ford stopped putting the LS unit in as a standard option with 4x4 sometime in late 04 because of it.
You may just need a new rear gear and limited slip after all. As that was the only thing that eventually fixed my problem but it was beginning to do it again right as I was selling it at 33K miles.
The uneven tire pressure can make the symptoms more pronounced since the tires could have different diameters due to the different air pressures. (A bit of a stretch but still...)
The transfer case may also not be in full 2WD and stuck in A4WD. This would cause the front diff to want to engage again due to the different tire pressures since different pressures equal different tire diameters.
Pulling the transfer case fuse/relay could eliminate or reveal the transfer case an a culprit. If the problem persists with the transfer case deactivated then that would point to the rear axle. Concurrently, if it goes away .... well you get the idea.
Good thing it is still summer there in Germany. You won't need 4x4 for awhile.
You may just need a new rear gear and limited slip after all.
If this is the problem... is it expensive? Im scared to death their gonna say its 4000-5000 or something. I wonder... I realize we bought the truck AS IS however... the dealer reassured us this was a GREAT truck and I would not be disappointed! If there is something I can do? Since we are in Germany and bought from a dealer in Florida, we did not see the truck in person. We requested what we wanted and he found it and assured us it was a wonderful truck. I am so pissed and feel totally taken advantage of, he knew we were in Germany and military and hubby was in Iraq, he probably figured he could just dump the truck on us! He claims there was nothing wrong with it but the second I got in and started to drive I knew it was not right!
OK all here is the latest. I took the truck to the auto craft center today. I asked the guy there to help me lift the rear end so I could put it in drive and duplicate what I was hearing while driving. When I reach about 20mph the rear end starts to howl until I let my foot off the gas. At about 10mph there is a vibration thats constant and does not end at any speed. The guy working there seemed to believe it was the rear diff. If it is, what are the MAIN things we should start with before actually having to replace the whole thing. Mind you I know nothing about rear diff so if anyone could walk me through with baby steps I would be FOREVER indebted. I will mainly be doing this myself with the assistant there to "watch" or answer ?'s and MINOR assisting. They cannot do the work because they cannot be liable for accidents ect... I also bought some motorcraft stuff to put in the rear diff (hmmm whats the name? smells like a**) where does that go? You guys are the greatest and without you I would really be in a world of hurt, well much more pain than Im in now
Stay with this thread. We'll help you out.
As that was the only thing that eventually fixed my problem but it was beginning to do it again right as I was selling it at 33K miles.
