Hello everyone. This is my first post here. I purchased a black 98 Expedition last month with 30k on it. I used AWD the other day when it was wet out and noticed thet the front end was vibrating intermittently. It was more noticable when I was turning. I only felt it in the steering wheel and not the brake pedal. The dealer said this is normal but I want your opinions since the warranty is about to expire. Thanks in advance.

 

troy98expo.
First let me tell you I think its great that you can disable your AWD. My AWD is permanent with the only other selection being all timet 4WD or L4WD . I would like to be able to put it in just Plain 2WD. Anyway.

Any vibration that you have when you front wheels lock in (AWD action) Is bad. I have never had any vibration. Being intermittent may be when the front wheels are actually having power applied to them.
I will give you a scenario on how my AWD works and (that I can Figure) .

When ever the rear wheel SLIP even the slightest around a corner, heavy throttle acceleration, snow , ice…. I have this big Solenoid mounted on my transfer case that basically shifts from 2WD to 4WD. (applying power To front tires) ( I think as soon as I let off the gas or no spin is detected the front drive system is released).. Back to 2WD.

It almost sounds like you are getting a CRABBING effect. This is also known as Axle Windup. Which is normal on 4WD with a “TRACTION LOCK” rear differential.

My manual says that I should never put it in 4WD while on dry pavement. (This is to avoid Axle windup)
Axle windup would feel like the whole vehicle shifting from one side to the other . (Not a Vibration).\

Hope this helps you get more aquatinted with your Awesome EXPY. (Any Vibration Is Unacceptable)



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2000 Navigator. Laser Red, Every option. , (DOHC) cams-32 valve Intech , (6) Bolt Mains, K&N FIPK , Superchip, True Duel Flowmaster 50 series. 2X SISO , vented out each side. Rear air deflector, Bug deflector, PIAA, headlights (SUPERWHITE)

Looking at Hitting 400 Hp without a blower. Using in addition, headers (If possible)
(Waiting for JBA to develope Headers)

“91” F150 4X4 Shorty “Ultimate Off Road Edition” Borge Warner T18 4 speed, Traction Lock Front and Rear Differentials., Smitty Built Duel Tube Roll Bar, Moog Super Off Road Coil Springs, Factory 2” Lift Rancho RS 9000 Shocks , Stock Front “QUAD SETUP” 33x12.5 (B.F. Goodrich) Mud Terrain Warn Winch Combo Bush Bar with Warn XD9000I Winch. Full Factory Skid Plates. 302 Long Block, K&N FIPK JBA Chrome Headers, Custom Catback using Flowmaster Muffler, Duel out side behind rear wheel.

 

I have a 99 Exp. with the AWD and I'm having the same problem. Anytime I'm going up a hill or a demand is put on the motor the front vibrates excessively. Also when I pull my boat it does it more often. I took it to dealer #1 and they said there was no problem with it. I went home, hooked up my boat went back to dealer #1 and took the service manager for a 30 mile ride. He said that he heard to noise but could not tell me what it was so therefore he could not fix it. I then took it to dealer #2. They drove it and said there was no problem and that they never heard any noise. I took the mechanic for a 20 mile ride and he heard the noise and guess what? He couldnt tell me what it was either and he is the dealers "Expedition Man". Dealer #2 said they were going to hook up these sensors and drive it to pinpoint where the noise is coming from, but that wont happen until the get through installing my new motor. I one of the unlucky Ford owners that have the oil leaking 5.4. Troy, if they find out whats wrong with yours please e-mail me and let me know what they find. crichar68@hotmail.com

 

crich
Does this noise also come from the steering wheel or does it come from the engine? Is your AWD (front wheels) engaged when this happens? Do you get the same noise "FEEL" when it is in 4WD -VS- AWD. I wonder if your front wheels are turning faster/Slower than your rear wheels. If this is so maybe your front or rear tires are worn enough to make a difference in the rotation. Or worse you have different gears in your front diff than your rear..

I am not a mechanic.. just curious.



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2000 Navigator. Laser Red, Every option. , (DOHC) cams-32 valve Intech , (6) Bolt Mains, K&N FIPK , Superchip, True Duel Flowmaster 50 series. 2X SISO , vented out each side. Rear air deflector, Bug deflector, PIAA, headlights (SUPERWHITE)

Looking at Hitting 400 Hp without a blower. Using in addition, headers (If possible)
(Waiting for JBA to develope Headers)

“91” F150 4X4 Shorty “Ultimate Off Road Edition” Borge Warner T18 4 speed, Traction Lock Front and Rear Differentials., Smitty Built Duel Tube Roll Bar, Moog Super Off Road Coil Springs, Factory 2” Lift Rancho RS 9000 Shocks , Stock Front “QUAD SETUP” 33x12.5 (B.F. Goodrich) Mud Terrain Warn Winch Combo Bush Bar with Warn XD9000I Winch. Full Factory Skid Plates. 302 Long Block, K&N FIPK JBA Chrome Headers, Custom Catback using Flowmaster Muffler, Duel out side behind rear wheel.

 

Lasernav-
Its not coming from the engine, and this is how I know. Before I took it to dealer #2 I took the front driveshaft out and pulled my boat for about 30 miles, no noise whatsoever. I have not tried to put it in 4WD and drive it under the same conditions so I dont know if it does it in that mode. The reason I havent tried is because the noise happens at highway speeds and those speeds are to high for 4WD mode. I dont know about the tire wear because I havent had the vehicle long and it had new tires when I bought it.

 

crich
I hope they find the problem.
let us know what it is, when the do.



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2000 Navigator. Laser Red, Every option. , (DOHC) cams-32 valve Intech , (6) Bolt Mains, K&N FIPK , Superchip, True Duel Flowmaster 50 series. 2X SISO , vented out each side. Rear air deflector, Bug deflector, PIAA, headlights (SUPERWHITE)

Looking at Hitting 400 Hp without a blower. Using in addition, headers (If possible)
(Waiting for JBA to develope Headers)

“91” F150 4X4 Shorty “Ultimate Off Road Edition” Borge Warner T18 4 speed, Traction Lock Front and Rear Differentials., Smitty Built Duel Tube Roll Bar, Moog Super Off Road Coil Springs, Factory 2” Lift Rancho RS 9000 Shocks , Stock Front “QUAD SETUP” 33x12.5 (B.F. Goodrich) Mud Terrain Warn Winch Combo Bush Bar with Warn XD9000I Winch. Full Factory Skid Plates. 302 Long Block, K&N FIPK JBA Chrome Headers, Custom Catback using Flowmaster Muffler, Duel out side behind rear wheel.

 

There were posts on this on other X sites. Ok it looks like we have two issues going on.
Troy98expo what you fist should look for is the 4x4 light blinking. If it is that there is a malfunction with the system. If I remember it was with the switch. You are experiencing the vehicle locked in 4x4 mode. Lasernav is right with what he posted. I have twice had a problem like this in snow on long rides. I am not able to reproduce at will so I don’t take to dealer. Both times the 4x4 light was blinking. Both times the next day it was fine.
Moving on to Lasernav where I would like to find out as well if we can put a 98 switch in as well to get only 2wd. I tow as well and will have to agree that I think some of the shimming is the AWD going in and out of 4wd under load. I’m glad you took off the front drive shaft to validate this as well. Now we need to find a way to lock in 2wd. HELP ON THIS!!!!
I also feel we get some feedback from the rear. When I changed the gears to 4.10 it was not as bad but after about 15k it was back. I found out that they did not put the right visoicity oil in so I replaced it with readline and now it is fine. If you use any synth oil you would be fine but use the right weight and ls additive.

Let’s see if we can resolve this.


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1999 EB X 5.9 4.1 gears, Borla catback, Vortech supercharger,superchip

 

Well I finally took my expy to the dealer. It snowed two days ago and I had my truck in awd mode when the 4x4 and awd lights started flashing back on and off. I took it to the dealer yesterday morning and they stated it was a bad speed sensor. We'll see if this fixes it. Thanks for your help.

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Did that fix the problem? Mine does this every once and a while and I am wondering if this is the fix?



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98 E.B. Expedition stock
89 Mustang LX - Novi supercharged, A4 block, all the go fast goodies.

 

Well, we just got 2+ inches of snow here in the Dallas area (really) and I had an opportunity to use the 4wd function on my new 1998 expy. Mine also switched in and out of 4wd. Specifically, at speed (25-30 mph) in 4wd mode, it would switch into A4wd and back into 4wd intermittantly. I have it at the dealer right now getting checked out (also bad compass and child safety lock on rear door turns on by itself, these seem to be chronic problems among expys?). I'll let everyone know what the diagnosis is.

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1998 EXPY EB 4X4 - STOCK
1975 JEEP CJ-5 - ANYTHING BUT

 

Diagnosis: Normal. The explanation I got was that there are sensors in the Xfer case that sense binding caused by differing wheelspeeds. When this happens, the computer kicks the T-case out of 4wd (and into Awd) for just a moment to unbind the driveline.
This seems great for surfaces that offer good traction some of the time, but it seems like this function would make 4wd virtually ineffective in off-highway situations where wheelspin and driveline binding are inevitable. I'm anxious to check this out. I'm curious to know if other fixes like the speed sensor mentioned previously make any difference.

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1998 EXPY EB 4X4 - STOCK
1975 JEEP CJ-5 - ANYTHING BUT

 

B.S.! Find another service dept.

The driveline isn't supposed to "kick out" of 4HI for wheel binding! Ask them to show you that in the owner's manual or service manual. Bet they can't- because it isn't supposed to work that way! In fact, the owner's manual specifically states to NOT drive on hard, dry surface to prevent damage.




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1997 4x4 Expedition- 4.6L, true dual exhaust w/glass-packs, K&N air filter, SuperChip, airbox mods, Edelbrock shocks, 285/75R16 BFG ATs, 2000 F150 "XLT" wheels, 4.10 gears, Auburn LS, Clarion In-dash CD player, Smitty Bilt push bars and nerf bars.

2000 4x4 F250 SD XLT SuperCab SWB- 6.8L, Offroad Pkg, Camper Pkg, 4.30LS, Tape & CD player, Remote Keyless Entry, Sliding back glass, tinted windows, 265/75R16 OWL tires, & Line-X.

NoMo's site

 

I had the same problem. The dealer replaced the speed sensor also. The problem is still there but not as bad.

 

I have a 2000 4x4 f150 and a 98 EB expedtion and both trucks when shifted into 4X4 high I get vibrations when sharp turning.

What happens here is the setup on my trucks is not the same as the AWD truck such as the way my explorer limited was.
I may be wrong but the way I understood it The AWD is not true 4 wheel drive. it does not have locking-posi transfer case or rear end.
In the AWD drive line does not vibrate because the outer wheels in a turn would slip to turn faster than the inners. At most The AWD system is only a 2wd system one in front and one in back.

The two trucks i now have are able to lock all four wheels to driveline,in 4X4 mode the vibration is the axle loading in the drive train.

I keep mine 2wd for almost all driving. If the roads are slick i'll use 4X4 high to pull away away from a light and switch it back to 2wd on the fly once I get going.

the only time i would leave my truck on 4X4 high or low is when the driving surface would permit tire slippage such as mud or deep snow

 

turbo497
The AWD function is 4WD. It just is automatically engaged when slippage is detected (nothing special). As far as POSI or (Traction lock) i.e. Fords version of POSI. yes most 4wd truck including my navigator have a "traction Lock rear diff and AWD" as for true 4WD you would also need a traction lock diff up front as well. (all 4 wheels will spin) very few vehicles are made this way. “True 4WD”

Hope this helps.


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2000 Navigator. Laser Red, Every option. , (DOHC) cams-32 valve Intech , (6) Bolt Mains, AIRFORCEONE FIPK, Custom Program Superchip, True Duel Flowmaster 50 series. 2X SISO , vented out each side. Rear air deflector, Bug deflector, PIAA, headlights (SUPERWHITE)

Looking at Hitting 400 Hp without a blower. Using in addition, headers (If possible)
(Waiting for JBA to develope Headers)

“91” F150 4X4 Shorty “Ultimate Off Road Edition” Borge Warner T18 4 speed, Traction Lock Front and Rear Differentials., Smitty Built Duel Tube Roll Bar, Moog Super Off Road Coil Springs, Factory 2” Lift Rancho RS 9000 Shocks , Stock Front “QUAD SETUP” 33x12.5 (B.F. Goodrich) Mud Terrain Warn Winch Combo Bush Bar with Warn XD9000I Winch. Full Factory Skid Plates. 302 Long Block, K&N FIPK JBA Chrome Headers, Custom Catback using Flowmaster Muffler, Duel out side behind rear wheel.