2001 Expy EB 4x4 Issue
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2001 Expy EB 4x4 Issue
Hello everyone. I am brand new to this forum and I have already seen some great input and advice from various people. Hopefully you can help me too.
I just purchased a 2001 Expy EB 4x4 and I have noticed a "binding" and "jumpy" sensation when making slow speed sharp turns (ex: parking lots) when the vehicle is in 4AWD mode (4H and 4L are the only other slections available). I can actually feel the front wheels pulling when making this type of turn. It is my understanding that 4AWD is primarily 2WD unless the vehicle senses slipping of the rear wheels. Only then, will power be transferred to the front wheels. Therefore, it doesn't make sense to me to have this sensation when making this type of maneuver. For comparison sakes, I switched to 4 LOW and made the same type of turn and you can feel it much more, but the sensation is still there when in 4AWD and therefore it concerns me that something else might be wrong.
Any ideas?
Thanks.
I just purchased a 2001 Expy EB 4x4 and I have noticed a "binding" and "jumpy" sensation when making slow speed sharp turns (ex: parking lots) when the vehicle is in 4AWD mode (4H and 4L are the only other slections available). I can actually feel the front wheels pulling when making this type of turn. It is my understanding that 4AWD is primarily 2WD unless the vehicle senses slipping of the rear wheels. Only then, will power be transferred to the front wheels. Therefore, it doesn't make sense to me to have this sensation when making this type of maneuver. For comparison sakes, I switched to 4 LOW and made the same type of turn and you can feel it much more, but the sensation is still there when in 4AWD and therefore it concerns me that something else might be wrong.
Any ideas?
Thanks.
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I guess it depends on the severity of the "binding". My 1999 Expedition also does this ever so slightly when in a slow, tight turn, but it is nothing I would worry about. Some minor things to check are air pressure, and tire circumference. If you have mismatched tires, or replaced two or less tires, you may have tires with a different circumference. To an AWD system it will think your tires are slipping and when you turn it only exaggerates the problem to the point of the AWD initiating other wheels to drive.
Hope this helps.
Hope this helps.
Senior User
Joined: Mar 2003
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From: Wisconsin
If I remember correctly Expeditions don't have hubs, so that is not an issue. Your transfer case could be bad, not allowing the front end to disengage. That is what happened to my Dad's expy, transfer case is shot, it won't come out of 4Hi.
Post Fiend
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Like Darth said, try changing the fluid. It DOES sound like you are stuck in 4-Hi. Old dirty fluid can cause this to happen; rather if you engage 4-Hi it can be a little slow to 'come out'. I trust my dealership, if you trust your you might get them to make a diagnosis.
Oh and welcome to FTE! There are quite a number of intelligent individual here that can help you out.
Oh and welcome to FTE! There are quite a number of intelligent individual here that can help you out.
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I had a small amount of moisture in my transfer case fluid a few years ago. It caused some minor grabbing and binding. Two fluid flushes later, all was well.
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From: Wisconsin
Does new fluid really make that much of a difference? By that I mean does the new fluid just solve a slow shifting issue, or a no shift issue? I could see how it would make a difference in a tranny since it uses the fluid to shift, but in the transfer case it just lubricates gears. I'm wondering because my Dad's Expy won't actually come out of 4hi. Sorry for the hijack.
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Thank you all for the great responses. Because of you, I have a number of options to look into now.
I do want to make clear that the issue is not that bad, but it clearly isn't right. Diagnosing it now will hopefully prevent drive train and tire damage. I have owned a number of four wheel drive vehicles in the past and to me, it is very easy to tell when the vehicle is in 4WD by the "binding" sensation I mentioned previously.
On a side note, I talked to a guy in a parking lot today, because I saw that he was also driving a 4X4 Expedition. He said he has never felt that type of sensation at all and he happened to be driving a 2001 model also.
I do want to make clear that the issue is not that bad, but it clearly isn't right. Diagnosing it now will hopefully prevent drive train and tire damage. I have owned a number of four wheel drive vehicles in the past and to me, it is very easy to tell when the vehicle is in 4WD by the "binding" sensation I mentioned previously.
On a side note, I talked to a guy in a parking lot today, because I saw that he was also driving a 4X4 Expedition. He said he has never felt that type of sensation at all and he happened to be driving a 2001 model also.
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From: Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
This may surprise you, but the cause is likely in the rear differential. It is a common problem with the clutch packs in there, and you will find help on the forum if you do a search. My 2000 did the same thing, and once I changed out the fluid with the required friction modifier (use all FORD products) all was well. Before completely changing the fluid, because that is fairly expensive, you could try adding a little more friction modifier (about $5) to the differential. The stuff really stinks so wear gloves if you handle it. Some have reported that just adding a bit more friction modifier worked for them.
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^Good point. Binding posi clutches can cause a similar feeling but I'm gonna guess that pgolfco has the feeling of 4x4 binding versus posi clutch binding sorted out but perhaps not.
Regarding a fluid change helping a poorly 'shifting' TC, yes its true. Now then a 'no shift' versus a 'slow to shift' problem can be two different things. A no shift can be caused by electrical and mechanical failures, but a fluid change is a 'cheap try'.
Again, a dealer can diagnose. If it is anything ut a fluid flush you aren't going to like the price anyway, so I'd probably just take it to them.
Regarding a fluid change helping a poorly 'shifting' TC, yes its true. Now then a 'no shift' versus a 'slow to shift' problem can be two different things. A no shift can be caused by electrical and mechanical failures, but a fluid change is a 'cheap try'.
Again, a dealer can diagnose. If it is anything ut a fluid flush you aren't going to like the price anyway, so I'd probably just take it to them.
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