Does your A4WD engage smoothly?
Thread Starter
|
Freshman User
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 48
Likes: 0
From: Southeast PA
Does your A4WD engage smoothly?
When the rear wheels break loose, the A4WD on my '97 engages with a lurch and a heavy 'RUNK' sound. It's a bit better in snow, when the wheels slip gently, but in the wet, it engages pretty hard. It's always been like this, and the system works, but I'm just wondering if they all act like that? Thanks.
Elder User
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 878
Likes: 0
From: Cornelius, Oregon
Mine does the same thing. It seems to depend on how hard I'm "on it". As you said, if they slip on wet pavement, the thunk is pretty pronounce, but on snow it's not to bad. On ice I can barely feel it. I think it has to do with the amount of torque being sent through the drive train at the time it engages.
Junior User
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 64
Likes: 0
From: up state VT
05 EB, does the same thing. Was not as bad on my 98 X. It's bad enough to make you cringe when it happens because some 4x4 componants are taking hits that they shouldn't. It's like you are reving the engine in neutral and throwing it into gear which is why I have always used the 4 wheel high.
Which brings up another question. Does anyone have any 4x4 noise or vibration when in 4 wheel high at 50 mph or above? This 05 is the 1st Ford product I have owned that sounds and feels out of balance over 50. My other trucks I couldn't even tell if it was in 4wheel until I turned on the dry asphalt. They tell you to keep the speeds down in 4 wheel drive but I have never had a problem with the higher speeds way back to the late 70's models. Feels like a bad U-joint or a loose drive shaft in the front but before I get into it I'd figure I'd ask.
Which brings up another question. Does anyone have any 4x4 noise or vibration when in 4 wheel high at 50 mph or above? This 05 is the 1st Ford product I have owned that sounds and feels out of balance over 50. My other trucks I couldn't even tell if it was in 4wheel until I turned on the dry asphalt. They tell you to keep the speeds down in 4 wheel drive but I have never had a problem with the higher speeds way back to the late 70's models. Feels like a bad U-joint or a loose drive shaft in the front but before I get into it I'd figure I'd ask.
Junior User
Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 59
Likes: 0
From: Deep in the IE, So CaL
I keep my 03 XLT FX4 in AWD 99% of the time. Only when I come to a stop and shift into Reverse do I hear a Definite and Pronounced Thunk coming from the Rearend.
On occaision I'll shift into 2WD and usually after a long pause all of a sudden awful sound as if I had shifted gears on a non syncromesh transmission at the wrong RPM.
It's Definitely not a Good/Reassuring sound!
Lawrence
On occaision I'll shift into 2WD and usually after a long pause all of a sudden awful sound as if I had shifted gears on a non syncromesh transmission at the wrong RPM.
It's Definitely not a Good/Reassuring sound!
Lawrence
Senior User
Joined: Jul 2002
Posts: 122
Likes: 0
From: VA
My 97 xlt isn't nearly as bad as some of you described on your rigs but it is definitely noticable. No clunks but there is a slight jolt when it engages. I have ridden in expeditions where it was much worse than mine though. I have driven an 02 explorer in the snow and it felt like the front end was going to come rolling out of it when it kicked in and there was no 4wd selection. I must say the wife's escape is very smooth shifting into 4wd compared to mine.
Trending Topics
Elder User
Joined: Jun 2003
Posts: 606
Likes: 0
From: Deep East Texas
Ya know to tell you the truth I can't remember mine ever being that bad. A barely audible clunk if anything. Now I had an '03 F350 that sounded and felt like I ran over the front end when the 4 wheel drive engaged. Makes you cringe when it happens, huh? 
FTE Stories
Ford Trucks for Ford Truck Enthusiasts
Top 10 Most Expensive Ford Trucks Ever Sold on Bring a Trailer
Joe Kucinski
2027 Ford Super Duty Buyer's Guide (Every Model, Engine, & Package)
Brett Foote
Top 10 Ford Truck Tragedies
Joe Kucinski
AEV FXL Super Duty - the Super Duty Raptor Ford Doesn't Make
Brett Foote
Lobo Vs Lobo: Proof the F-150 Lobo Should Be Even Lower!
Michael S. Palmer
Ford's 2001 Explorer Sportsman Concept Looks For a New Home
Verdad Gallardo
10 Best Ford Truck Engines We Miss the Most!
Joe Kucinski
2026 Shelby F-150 Off-Road: Better Than a Raptor R?
Brett Foote
2027 Super Duty Carhartt Package First Look: 12 Things You NEED to Know!
Michael S. Palmer
Freshman User
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 37
Likes: 0
I drive on icy roads all winter where I am at. I have yet to really hear a thunk when my 4wheeldrive engages. I can feel a light thud but no real noise. The only noise that I hear is the front end whine when I am in 2 wheel drive. Goes in AGAIN for that tomorrow.
Posting Guru
Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 1,344
Likes: 3
From: NYC
Mine does it. If i put it in A4WD and step on it in the snow, a nice loud clunk is heard along with the front axle engaging. I guess it is normal? For what its worth my Subaru used to engage 100x smoother.
Senior User
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 379
Likes: 0
You'll hear a whine noise come from the front differential in 4wd at higher speeds. Definitely don't turn on dry pavement in 4wd it'll bind the heck out of the front drivetrain. In snow or ice i can feel the a4wd engage but no clunk. I've never had my a4wd engage on wet roads. But, I usually keep mine in 2wd mode on wet surfaces as I feel it will still cause some binding.
Posting Guru
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 1,051
Likes: 0
Yup, I hear it too in one of my '98 Expeditions if I really get on it, dry or wet. It doesn't feel like it's actually sending power though b/c at those speeds it shouldn't be slipping any. My buddy's dad actually sold his Ford dealership so a few of my friends and I had to move his whole lot of cars about 4 miles and I had the privilege of driving an '07 Expedition EL in A4wd and it was extremely smooth. Transfer case must be gettin old in mine though 
New User
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 15
Likes: 0
From: Florida
I just bought mine. I guess the noise is not that bad, I am just worried about it doing damage. My 2000 doesnt have the 2wd option. I am thinking about running a switch to turn off the 4wd unless needed. Also, there are mismatched tires on it..different brands, same size. But I have a feeling they are still different sizes anyhow. I was thinking this could be causing it to do that. I dont have the money to spend on tires right now, and these ones have plenty of tread.
Junior User
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 99
Likes: 0
From: Lithia Springs, GA
It really does depend on how much throttle you're giving it when the rear loses traction. The only time my A4WD engaged I was climbing a rocky hill under light throttle, it did make a clunking sound but I believe it is normal.