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I have a 99 XLT 4x4. After I drive on the hiway for about 20 miles or 10 even at speeds above 55mph when I stop and go to turn it seems like the front differential is partially engaged but it doesn't bind. When you make a tight turn with it it lurches slightly like it's kind of engaged in 4 wheel drive. After you shut the vehicle off and start it again it doesn't do it. But go out on the hiway and go back to city driving and it does it for about 10 minutes after you get off the hiway. I am baffled and it hasn't seen to hurt anything yet so I am not worrying about it.
I would be concern about it, the way you describe the problem and not saying that the steering feels different I would be alerted to the transmission. If I am right the earlier you get it in the better.
Good Luck!!!
I do not see why he would have to drive over 50 for a power steering problem to arise. Do you feel the lurch in the steering wheel or just in the whole vehicle?
It's hard to explain. I drive 20 miles to work every day, 90% is interstate driving. When I go to park and an driving at parking lot speeds (5-10 mph) and make make a tight turn to pull in the parking spot, the front end acts like it is in 4 wheel drive. It doesn't bind to the point of vechicle not moving but it seems like it is either partially engaged or trying to engage. Once I turn the vehicle off and start it again it won't do it again until I drive on the interstate.
I wonder if this has something to do with the gear oil in the front diff. I was thinking of changing it to see if it would make a difference. Maybe I am just being to picky about the truck. It hasn't seemed to compromise the 4x4 system but I am afraid that I am going to ruin something in the front drive line.
n2umr - based solely on your description that it acts like it's in 4wd, one suspect could be the clutch mechanism/electronics that transfers power to the front axle when in A4WD. Given the potential for driveline damage you should really consider having it looked at - just make sure the guy drives it to have the problem repeat and he doesn't just start fixin stuff that ain't broke.
I bought the truck last february with 72,000 froma dealer so I have no record of when it was changed. I was told by the dealer that they changed the tranny fluid when they took it in on trade. My father-in-law is a mechanic and he checked it and it smelled and looked new. This doesn't mean that they changed the transfer case fluid.
How much of a job is this, and can I do it myself without a lift?
Its a simple job, you don't need a lift (or even a jack), and you can save about $30 from what a quicklube place will charge. Remove the lower plug on the back of the case with a 3/8 socket wrench (no socket) to drain the fluid. Replace the lower plug and remove the upper plug (same socket wrench). Fill with Mercon ATF fluid to the bottom of the hole (about 2 quarts). I used a funnel with a flexible hose to add the fluid and ended up taking an ATF shower. When I got done, it occured to me that I should have used my hand pump that I use to fill my boat outdrive.
I didn't have any specific reason for changing the fluid, it just seemed to be about time - so I did not see any change in operation of the transfer case (which I have been using a lot lately, since we have some fresh snow here in WI).