Explorer AT or Diff?

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Jan 24, 2004 | 03:52 PM

JTC

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Explorer AT or Diff?

I have a '94 Explorer (2WD) with 125 K miles and an automatic transmission. For the past several months, I have had a problem with the drivetrain. I first noticed it while in O/D and beginning to go up a hill at about 55 mph and 1400 rpm...it's feels like the vehicle is trying downshift but won't go into gear, resulting in a series of thumps and shudders. If I hit the accelerator it will go ahead and downshift and the thumps go away (until the next hill). It seems to be getting progressively worse...I think I can feel a slight shudder while on level ground and in O/D, and sometimes in the 3rd and 4th gear.

I've changed the AT fluid, adjusted the bands, even changed out the mass air flow sensor on the chance it was an engine problem. The computer is not setting any codes either. The torque convertor seems to come out of lock-up OK. Could the problem be in the differential, or is it likely the transmission? The thumps seem to come from the rear end.

Thanks in advance for any advice.