03 Expl EB DriveTrain Windup Noise

Hi everyone,

I have a 2003 Explorer Eddie Bauer Edition 4x4 4.0L with 75k on it. After driving home one night after being on the interstate for about an hour there was a weird noise when I was slowing down and turning (didn't matter which way I turned). There is an odd wind up noise that happens at around 10mph. Doesn't matter if I'm going straight or turning, at around 10mph this noise occurs. It sounds like when you pull the string out of those old wind up cars. The noise doesn't get greater with speed, it stops after getting to about 15-20mph. I also noticed that the steering seems harder too, especially when you get to the maximum turning radius. It's almost like something is holding it back and slowing it down a lot more than usual at full turn. I know this is a very odd situation to try to explain and I'm doing my best. I was thinking maybe it's an issue with the transfer case so I took out the 3 fuses that I found that were related to the 4wd system, fuses 17 and 18 under the hood and fuse 12 under the driver's side dash board. This didn't change the situation at all. What do you guys think, possible 4wd system problem or drivetrain issue or transmission issue? Hopefully someone out there has had this issue before.

Thanks guys!!

Adam

It does sound a bit like the front axle is engaging when it shouldn't be, ie: maybe the vehicle is in 4WD all the time. The shift motors on the transfer case have been a known issue, but I don't recall reading so much about them from 2002 on.

If you have a sand or gravel lot nearby you might have someone stand beside the vehicle while making a tight radius turn and see if there are signs that the front wheels are being driven. If so, the problem is likely to be the shift motor on the transfer case.

-Rod

To follow up (very late) on this post, I changed the transfer case fluid which was not easy and drove it around. All of a sudden the whole issue disappeared!! That's great news except for the fact that now at 88k miles the same exact issue is back. I thought I took care of the problem but it has crept it's way back. Does anyone else have any suggestions on what this could be or is the shift motor the best culprit for this issue?


Thank you in advance!

Adam