I successfully used this site to fix a bad COP (thanks to cbradford) and since that was such a great experience I would try again.

My expedition for many years has had this issue and the dealer simply says that they don't know what it is or how to fix it until it is "actually broken". What happens is when you turn the front wheels all the way left or right and move forward - it feels like the wheels are "binding" (or at least that is what I remember from the old 4x4 days - when in 4low). It has always been an issue that no one has been able to resolve. I have even changed the rear ABS sensor thinking that is what is used to release the inside wheel or something. Well today when I drove thru the parking lot this morning and did a full turn and the normal binding skipping became a bit more severe and sounded significantly more troublesome this time. I swear I could hear gears crunching which is "new" and didn't sound good at all.

I simply want to explore different and inexpensive fixes before gears and axles or the all wheel drive unit fails - because I assume that will be a big expense and maybe even more than it's worth. I need to make this last at least two more years before a replacement rig can be purchased. Any idea's or suggestions please let me know.

I am fairly mechanical, can change radiators, plugs, etc... but getting deep into transmissions and clutches and such I defer to a more skilled individual. But with the right support from this site, I am will to try anything. Thanks for your time and efforts in advance.

 

Remove the 30 amp fuse #104 from the under hood fuse box and see if the problem goes away.

It is safe to drive without this fuse in. It's for the 4x4 Shift Motor & Clutch. With it out, the front clutch isn't supposed to engage the front drive shaft.

 

I removed the fuse and it seemed to work better. The strange thing is that it is not a consistent binding, sometimes I don't feel anything when doing a full turn but others seem to really get binded up. If removing the fuse works consistently what specifically does that mean? Can I remove the fuse at any time without restarting the rig or anything. I would like to see the next time this happens I will immediately remove it and see.

You mention clutch - does this mean that it may need to be replaced or something?

Jason

 

There is an electrically activated clutch at the front of the transfer case that connects the transfer case to the front drive shaft. With the A4WD system, when rear wheel spin is detected by the 4x4 module, it in turn activates the front clutch to provide engine power to the front drive train. This is the Automatic 4 Wheel Drive system in action. By removing that fuse, no electrical power will reach the front clutch, this way it cannot cause the front end to lock-up/bind.

Since it drives better with the fuse out, then it's likely the 4x4 modules is engaging that front clutch for some as of yet unknown reason. Perhaps the rear axle speed sensor is going bad on you. Having mismatch tires front to back can also cause this problem.

 

alloro,
Thanks for the quick reply, you mention a speed sensor and that is the 2nd time I have heard that -- is that different than the ABS sensor in the back? If it is different, where is the speed sensor located?

 

They are one in the same. The one sensor does both jobs.

 

The fuse thing worked now it has not done it for a while. Thank you, will wait till it happens again.