my02explorer@yahoo.com

I have a 2002 explorer that about 3 months ago started binding in the
front-end when making sharp (usually slow) turns. Though intermittent,
the problem appeared to only happen in reverse (when backing out of my
driveway). More recently, I've been towing a trailer, and the problem
appears whenever I make a sharp turn (moving forward this time).
Although I tow the trailer weekly on a regular basis, it has been daily
recently, and in tight spaces. The trailer tongue weight is about
300-400 pounds. With the trailer removed, I can't reproduce the
problem with any predictability.

I had the front brakes replaced around the same time that the problem
started. Could this have anything to do with the problem? Like
something didn't get replaced or reconnected properly?

Is there some other mechanical or electronic failure that would cause
this? If so, would this be considered part of the drivetrain for
warranty purposes?

Joe Rizza

My '97 AWD V8 did something similar when the universal joint in the
front drive shaft went. The difference is there were NO signs of the
failure. It just completely failed one day, and the "binding" was
constant, and got worse when you tried to turn. Seems premature on a
2002, but sounds somewhat similar.

-joe


On 7 Jul 2005 13:44:45 -0700, my02explorer@yahoo.com wrote:

>I have a 2002 explorer that about 3 months ago started binding in the
>front-end when making sharp (usually slow) turns. Though intermittent,
>the problem appeared to only happen in reverse (when backing out of my
>driveway). More recently, I've been towing a trailer, and the problem
>appears whenever I make a sharp turn (moving forward this time).
>Although I tow the trailer weekly on a regular basis, it has been daily
>recently, and in tight spaces. The trailer tongue weight is about
>300-400 pounds. With the trailer removed, I can't reproduce the
>problem with any predictability.
>
>I had the front brakes replaced around the same time that the problem
>started. Could this have anything to do with the problem? Like
>something didn't get replaced or reconnected properly?
>
>Is there some other mechanical or electronic failure that would cause
>this? If so, would this be considered part of the drivetrain for
>warranty purposes?

my02explorer@yahoo.com

In researching this problem I found many references to a "brown wire
mod" that disables the "4x4 Auto" feature. Some claiming that it
leaves 4x4 High and 4x4 Low as is, and others claiming that it changes
them to 2WD also. Can anyone provide more info on how (and if) this
can be applied to a 2002 explorer?

Obviously this won't fix my problem, but it might allow me to alleviate
the binding as needed. I would plan on enabling the 4x4 Auto feature
each time I bring it in for service, and ask them to look again and see
if they can find the problem.

I also found that removing fuses 17 & 18 in the panel in the engine
compartment effectively eliminates the binding problem as well, but I
don't know what else it might affect.

anonomizer

I thought that mod was for the auto-4xhigh-4xlow trucks that the owners
wanted to add a powertrax or similar type of front L/S . that "brown wire
mod also needed a good quality switch that would take them back to stock
mode.the switch should also have a protective cover {flip-switch} to protect
from accidental switching while in turns on dry pavement.
do a search for "if your 4x4 switch looks like this......on the "explorer
4x4.com" website

<my02explorer@yahoo.com> wrote in message
news:1122595258.195188.287500@g43g2000cwa.googlegroups.com...
> In researching this problem I found many references to a "brown wire
> mod" that disables the "4x4 Auto" feature. Some claiming that it
> leaves 4x4 High and 4x4 Low as is, and others claiming that it changes
> them to 2WD also. Can anyone provide more info on how (and if) this
> can be applied to a 2002 explorer?
>
> Obviously this won't fix my problem, but it might allow me to alleviate
> the binding as needed. I would plan on enabling the 4x4 Auto feature
> each time I bring it in for service, and ask them to look again and see
> if they can find the problem.
>
> I also found that removing fuses 17 & 18 in the panel in the engine
> compartment effectively eliminates the binding problem as well, but I
> don't know what else it might affect.
>