A friend of mine sent me this link. I don't know if it's been posted here before or not, but I hadn't seen it. So I thought it might be useful to put up.

 

Thank you Rick. Do you have a similar link for the front differential?

 

No, sorry. A friend and I were discussing the t-case in a completely unrelated conversation, and he found that and sent it to me. I do not know if something similar exists for the axles.

 

T Rick,That is a great site Thank you for sharing the good stuff.

On another note,if you want to save that article on your computer in a PDF format that is terrific for making copies for the garage later with out the ads,etc here is a free program that works with Adobe.You can turn any diagram into a PDF. I find this really helps me (afer all I am clueless at times with certain repairs ) Just hi-light what you want to print ,right clickfor dropdown menu,hit print and tell it to print to CutePDF.You may have it you may not need it but if you do

http://http://www.cutepdf.com/Products/CutePDF/writer.asp

 

I have the link. The link talks about a 3 second "clutch" cycle. Back to Coppers observations, do you think there would be a heat buildup in whatever "induces" the magnetic field to engage the clutch if the cycle were extended to 15 minutes continuous (or longer depending on the environment the vehical was in)? Because the link talks about "hop" in turns and cornering, this 50/50 sounds like a "hard" mechanical lock rather that some "viscous" type coupling. (do you hear the second thoughts coming?). Is there already an indicator light that shows when the 50/50 lock in in play? I see reference to an "Indicator light". I know I have seen a 4wd light when I turn on my ignition. Always more questions huh. thanks in advance. chad

 

The 4WD light is the indicator light - the control module turns it on when the clutch is activated. If the clutch is locked by an outside ground, though, the module probably wouldn't know to turn it on.

Regarding a heat build up in the magnetic coil, I wouldn't think so, but I don't really know the answer to that one. I'm inclined to think the short clutch cycle is to prevent the clutch from being engaged any longer then necessary, since there's a good chance that the vehicle will be on dry pavement shortly after it needs to engage and they want to limit warrantee liability that might come from running locked down a dry road. An Explorer with Control-Trac 4WD (V6 ones), actually, has the same basic sort of clutch in it's (Borg Warner) transfer case - and you can leave it locked there.

As far as the actual lock up goes - it's a clutch, not a fluid coupling. When you engage a clutch, it should theortically be locked, although any of them will eventually slip if too much torque is sent across it. That's what would result in the crow-hop around turns if it was engaged. A Ranger would do the same thing in 4WD. In the case of the Explorer, in 4LO if you try crawling around tight turns, you can make that clutch slip as well, but it does come with some bucking and hopping (and banging).