94 Explorer has bad wobble when 4X4 engaged

My 1994 Explorer exhibits an extremely bad wobble when I engage 4 low. I checked all front end components and recently got my inspection sticker (specifically asked him how the front end felt) and everything is tight. I put manual locking hubs on a few years ago and had them replaced. The tires are in good shape but I know this could be one factor or it could be transfer case wear and tear. How much movement should there be if any when I try to move the spline (I plan to remove the tires and hubs).? Anyone out there with a similar problem?

Thanks for any assistance.

 

Is it not noticable in 4 wheel high?

 

Does it wobble when you drive straight forward or is it when you turn?

Also does it wobble when you drive on a loose or slick surface like grass or gravel?

 

Hi Guys,

It wobbles only when 4X4 is engaged and I only run 4 wheel on wet surfaces. It happens when I move straight and when turning. I move at a very slow speed (less than 5mph) because I don't want to damage anything. Since I have manual locking hubs I tried engaging 4 wheel high without locking the hubs and I get a front end wobble. I can drive the truck in 2 wheel drive without any issues.

Thanks,

 

Have you ruled out the front drive shaft?

 

My first choice would be axle joints and with the wobble in a straight drive, pretty bad. With a transfer case/drive shaft problem you can get some lurching, but what you've described occurs closer to the tires.

Hope this helps,

Bob

 

Hi Guys,

I will check out the front axile this weekend.

I will also check out the U joints; it could be that something rusted or froze up because the truck had been sitting for about a year and a half before I put it back on the road.

I'm also going to check the fluid.

I appreciate your inputs.

Thanks,

Frank

 

Hi,

I sprayed down the U-Joints yesterday and today I tried running it again and there was one difference:
I was able to put the truck in 4H without the wobble and this is with the hubs unlocked. I could not do that yesterday; I got the wobble when in 4H with the hiubs unlocked and I got the wobble with 2H and the hubs locked.
I could not check the front differential fluid because I could not get the plug off. I sprayed it down last night and will try again today. Would either of you at this point if what is happening points mainly towards the front differential? I know that it could still be a number of things but does the differential turn all the time; or only when in 4X4? I do plan to spay the U-Joints again and jack up the truck to see if I could isolate the problem but at this point can I assume that the transfer case is OK?

Thanks,

 

WD40 shouldn't make a lot of difference. The way to check the u-joints is to shake/turn the drive shaft while it is out of gear - not in 4x for the front. Look for play in the u-joint.

The front driveshaft should only turn when the 4x is engaged. The front axles and gears will not turn if the hubs are unlocked and the 4x is not engaged.

You should also jack up the front end and check how the wheels turn with both the hubs locked and unlocked but not in 4 wheel drive.

 

In normal driving applications, I usually would see u joints/axle joints go first,then king pins/ball joints, then locking hubs, then transfer case, then differential.

By that time it's setting in front of the crusher.