Front axle troubleshooting
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Joined: Nov 2004
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Front axle troubleshooting
'91 short Eddie Bauer 4.0 E4WD. First snowy and slippery weather....and on one crossing car hit the steet verge (right word?) by right front wheel approx. 30 km/h
Immediate damages: Bent steelwheel and driver is little bit shamed.
After driving back home discovered that wheel alignment is not correct anymore. They set so divers side tire poinst straight ahead but passengers side points little to right. And when trying to drive some noises: under light throttle at around 70 km/h some sort of growl / slight vibration in the floor and body. The condition seems consistant with engine rpms and if i take my foot off of the accelerator, the noise / vibration goes away. And accelerating to 100 km/h the grovl/vibration reduces a little. And I think transmission is not generating those noises...
What to suspect to be broken?
Did not tear anything apart but visual inspection:
Steering linkage seems to be ok. Lower A-arms seems to be ok. Tire endplay in both 12-6 and 9-3 way are the same on both sides so I thing bearings are ok.
Immediate damages: Bent steelwheel and driver is little bit shamed.
After driving back home discovered that wheel alignment is not correct anymore. They set so divers side tire poinst straight ahead but passengers side points little to right. And when trying to drive some noises: under light throttle at around 70 km/h some sort of growl / slight vibration in the floor and body. The condition seems consistant with engine rpms and if i take my foot off of the accelerator, the noise / vibration goes away. And accelerating to 100 km/h the grovl/vibration reduces a little. And I think transmission is not generating those noises...
What to suspect to be broken?
Did not tear anything apart but visual inspection:
Steering linkage seems to be ok. Lower A-arms seems to be ok. Tire endplay in both 12-6 and 9-3 way are the same on both sides so I thing bearings are ok.
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Joined: Nov 2004
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Hi Harri - good to see another fellow Finn here. I have a '91 ext 4.0 AWD myself. Just did the wheel bearing replacement on driver's side. Even if it might not be current in your situation, be aware that the wheel bearings go quick - read that very quick - in the AWD's when they begin to show symptoms. Changing it wasn't bad at all. If you need any help PM/email me or you will also find me on the overdrive forum in Finland.
Bad luck with your car - sorry to hear.
Cheers,
Muki
Bad luck with your car - sorry to hear.
Cheers,
Muki
Postmaster
Joined: Apr 2001
Posts: 3,818
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Originally Posted by HarriN
After driving back home discovered that wheel alignment is not correct anymore. They set so divers side tire poinst straight ahead but passengers side points little to right.
Laughing Gas
Joined: Jun 2004
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From: Dallas, Texas
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Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 144
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From: Singhampton
Ahhhh
Sorry about the thread hijack but I am pretty sure I now know why I don't feel like it has AWD, what would be the reason for the module being missing, the van has covered 30,000 in 18 months and has been fine, no abnormal noises from the front, but the module is not there, just the black plug that I asumed to be part of some electric seat setup (I don't know why one would need 15 wires going to the seat but I just wasn't thinking straight) could I be opening a can of worms by plugging a new module in, the sales person sold it to me in winter and the suposedly working AC wasn't even connected and when I sorted out the electrics I found the compressor to be faulty. I'm a bit concerned that pluging the module in will lock up the front end or something.
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Joined: Sep 2004
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From: brooksville, florida
O dear you really got stung there. Never ever trust a car sale's person they are the most devious people on this planet. As for the missing module get another and plug it in, it wount do any harm.
Senior User
Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 144
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From: Singhampton
STUNG, they pulled my pants right down and greased me up, saying that, the engine is perfect, the transmission oil pump/front seal went not long after I got it (not the best job to do in the snow and no garage) but that was from sitting around not being used, the body work is immaculate as is the interior, I'd rather repair machanical stuff than rot. I'll be off on friday to pick up the module, a wreckers only want $50 for one, a cheap price to pay for the repair of AWD.