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  #1  
Old 06-29-2011, 10:38 PM
sshanky sshanky is offline
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Default Big problem with conversion from 4wd to 2wd, wheel fell off!

Hi, my friend's front differential on a 2000 Mountaineer (I assume same chassis as a ranger, hope I'm not wrong) blew and instead of paying over 1000 to replace it, I suggested that the mechanic disconnect it and make the car 2wd. I read a few things online where people did it and the two problems seemed to be holding the wheel on from the inside (since the halfshafts would be gone), the solution of which was to just use the ends of the halfshafts. The other problem was that I read somewhere that the car could roll in park so the parking brake should be set.

the mechanic did his thing (Not sure exactly what he did, but he drove the car for 8 miles and felt that it was working fine), then when my friend picked up the vehicle, the front left wheel fell off about a block out of the parking lot. I was happy no one was hurt...my friend was fine, and I'm really glad the wheel didn't fall off while the mechanic (a friend of mine) was test driving the vehicle on the highway!

So, he just finished working on it, and feels really horrible about what happened (I feel badly too since I told him the idea) and feels like there will not be a problem again. I have to talk to him about what he did -- I don't know exactly and I have not had a chance to look underneath.

Meanwhile, my friend (the owner) just went outside to her car, which is parked on a slight incline, and she swears it rolled downhill a bit. Is this possible? I do remember reading something about needing to set the parking brake now that the front diff. is no longer in place...anyone know?

I made the car roll a bit, then put it in park, and it stopped instantly...I didn't notice any slipping at all.

Now my friend is a bit nervous about driving. I want to be sure she is safe. Please, let me know if you have any thoughts.

Thanks so much.
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  #2  
Old 06-30-2011, 12:16 AM
doyouquaxu doyouquaxu is offline
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Default Re: Big problem with conversion from 4wd to 2wd, wheel fell off!

it shouldn't roll, since putting the truck in park (if it's automatic) keeps the transmission from spinning, which prevents the drive shaft and rear wheels from spinning.

i've heard of people doing what was done here as well, from what i gathered is that they disassembled the outer CV joint (closest to the wheel) so that they could remove the axle and cleaned out the grease and everything else in there. then they reinstalled it and haven't had issues. mostly on sport tracs and rangers, but those do share the same front end as the mountaineer.

pics of your friend will help, is she attractive? lol
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Old 06-30-2011, 10:28 PM
sshanky sshanky is offline
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Default Re: Big problem with conversion from 4wd to 2wd, wheel fell off!

Thanks for answering. I talked to my mechanic today and he explained what had happened. he thought the bearing would hold the wheel, but now he has cut the stub off the ends of the halfshafts, and put those behind the bearings, and he says it's not going anywhere. As long as that's safe, which I imagine it is, then the only issue left is the rolling in park. I heard that it can do it because there's nothing on the front half of the transfer case, so it can spin when the transmission is in park and the back wheels try to turn.
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Old 06-30-2011, 10:40 PM
doyouquaxu doyouquaxu is offline
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Default

It won't roll. The transmission is locked, and thru the transfer case the front and back diffs are connected anyways.
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Old 09-29-2011, 08:57 PM
Harleymedic53 Harleymedic53 is offline
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Default Re: Big problem with conversion from 4wd to 2wd, wheel fell off!

Carry two little wheel chocks w/ you!
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Old 09-29-2011, 09:22 PM
pooleo pooleo is offline
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Default Re: Big problem with conversion from 4wd to 2wd, wheel fell off!

yeah, makes sense. The only thing holding the rotor on without the axle in is the brake Caliper!
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Old 09-29-2011, 09:25 PM
Clinton Clinton is offline
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Default Re: Big problem with conversion from 4wd to 2wd, wheel fell off!

The tire fell off....It fell the fuck off?!
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Old 09-30-2011, 07:56 PM
Scottg Scottg is offline
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Default Re: Big problem with conversion from 4wd to 2wd, wheel fell off!

ha! I assume it was AWD?

CAUTION! AWD Front Drive Shaft Removal --Drifts in park.

also if it is a AWD, The factory AWD TC is a bias split torque unit if you dont have the front DS in it will destroy the Viscous coupling inside. How long depends on how hard you drive it. It is like a clutch style locker but preloaded to one side. Once you wear the clutches enough it will just slip. The BW 4406 and what not are not bias. the viscous coupling is just a precaution.
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Old 09-30-2011, 11:58 PM
sshanky sshanky is offline
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Default Re: Big problem with conversion from 4wd to 2wd, wheel fell off!

Quote:
Originally Posted by pooleo View Post
yeah, makes sense. The only thing holding the rotor on without the axle in is the brake Caliper!
so, bottom line: is it safe?

----------

Quote:
Originally Posted by Scottg View Post
ha! I assume it was AWD?

CAUTION! AWD Front Drive Shaft Removal --Drifts in park.

also if it is a AWD, The factory AWD TC is a bias split torque unit if you dont have the front DS in it will destroy the Viscous coupling inside. How long depends on how hard you drive it. It is like a clutch style locker but preloaded to one side. Once you wear the clutches enough it will just slip. The BW 4406 and what not are not bias. the viscous coupling is just a precaution.
yes, it was definitely awd. It seems to drive fine to me but the person who drives it most says things like "it feels weird" and the like. Are you saying we are going to have issues coming up?
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Old 10-01-2011, 01:01 AM
DangerRangerII DangerRangerII is offline
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Default Re: Big problem with conversion from 4wd to 2wd, wheel fell off!

With the Constant velocity joints taken apart, leaving the wheel side in, the front wheels are secure. As for it drifting in park.... The transmission should hold it. But If the two drive shafts work to hold the truck in place then with out the front one it isn't as strong a hold. It would be like taking one side of the rear axle apart. Without the opposite spinning gear the other side could turn freely.

I am no expert but that's how I am seeing things.
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