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AR15.COM
4/5/2009 5:50:47 AM EDT
I have a 94 Explorer (auto transmission and 4WD) with about 170K miles.  Recently after starting up from Park and driving a couple hundred feet I am hearing a loud grating noise like gears not meshing from the front of the vehicle; doesn't happen all the time, but is becoming more frequent.  As soon as I hit the brake or sometimes without me doing anything the sound goes away, like gears have suddenly meshed up correctly.  Do you think this is transmission problem, differential, etc.  I have lots of miles on the car so don't want to sink a lot into repairs when the money might be better spent on a replacement vehicle.  Thanks.
4/5/2009 5:54:15 AM EDT
[#1]
Are you sure the 4 wheel drive is completely disengaged?
4/5/2009 6:01:03 AM EDT
[#2]
Quoted:
Are you sure the 4 wheel drive is completely disengaged?


Does itr have push button 4WD or does it use a lever?

4/5/2009 6:43:24 AM EDT
[#3]
It's a push-button selected 4WD.
4/5/2009 7:23:29 AM EDT
[#4]
Have you used the 4WD recently before the noise started and do you use it frequently or almost never?
4/5/2009 8:17:27 AM EDT
[#5]
I use it 3-4 times every winter, and last used it about 1 month ago.  I didn't notice any problems at the time.
4/5/2009 8:20:30 AM EDT
[#6]
Sounds like one of your auto hubs has taken a shit. Do yourself a huge favor and replace them with manual hubs.

Common problem.



BTW you have an A4LD transmission. When they go it's cheaper to replace them.
4/5/2009 8:21:28 AM EDT
[#7]
I'd suspect some linkage has slipped to the tranny then and it's not fully going into gear and grinding on the parking pawl a bit. Once it pops out of engagement all the way then the noise stops. It could also be that the pawl is bad also.
4/5/2009 8:32:06 AM EDT
[#8]
Quoted:
I'd suspect some linkage has slipped to the tranny then and it's not fully going into gear and grinding on the parking pawl a bit. Once it pops out of engagement all the way then the noise stops. It could also be that the pawl is bad also.


Unlikely. On that transmission the park pawl is a shaft directly connected to the selector lever of the trans. Either it's in or it's out. There isn't any linkage that would allow being in drive and still even close to the plate.