My explorer is stuck in 4x4, or so it appears. I have all four wheels jacked up so that I can run it and see what is going on. It is making a noise from the front end that kind of sounds like a U joint is about to go. I have not removed the drive shaft or axles, but when I grab them by hand and pull, push, turn, etc. there is no apparent play in the joints. Not sure if this method is applicable to the front axle U joints. When it is running and in gear, the front wheels are engaged while in automatic setting. Hi and Low ranges work. I am not too familiar with the automatic 4x4. Is it normal for the front wheels to turn while the transfer case is in the automatic setting? Maybe I am barking up the wrong tree starting with the transfer case as the source of my problem. I have found in another thread that there is a brown wire going to the transfer case which activates the internal clutches via a magnet, but I have also been told this vehicle is full time 4x4. Any ideas??

 

Look at the **** on the dash.. What positions do you have ? If you have an "auto 4 x 4" then the computer is engaging the front end when it sees the back end slip. You cant set on jacks and run the back axle only, the computer will see slip and engage the front............. what is the "noise".. are you sure its related to the axle or 4 x 4 ? Most common noise is wheel bearings.

 

Thanks Steve, It does have the "auto" setting, so I guess front wheel engagement is normal. The noise seems to be coming from the left front, and as I said it is "rotational". The sound is like a warped rotor rubbing. The brakes are new, and using a dial indicator, the rotors are true. There was some play in the bearing, so I replaced that just a few hundred miles ago. With the truck jacked up and the wheels hanging slightly lower than if it were on the ground, the noise has disappeared. I will be taking it out on the road later today after I remove the front wheels just in case I can see something rubbing before letting it down on the tires again.

 

when you jack up a truck, put the jack under the A frame, not the truck frame.. That raises the truck and keeps the wheel "about" where it is when your running down the road. Gives you a better idea of what things look like "on the road"...... I normally lift the tire about 2 inches. Put a 4 ft 2 x 4 under the tire a few inches and lift it up and down to see if the tire moves.. Any slop is clearance in the ball joint or hub/wheel bearing