Explorer stuck in 4wd?

[Darrell]

Hi all!

98 explorer Xlt 4×4. 290k miles on way to 300!

Had the front end of ground today and noticed that spinning drivers side wheel made other wheel spin in opposite direction. Does this mean I am stuck in 4wd mode? Truck was in park with back wheels on the ground. This truck is auto 4wd as opposed to AWD. Selector on the dash for 4×4 low/high/auto. I always leave in auto mode.

I expected front wheels to spin free independently. Then again, I don’t know much about how the transfer case works. Truck was in park not neutral. It never seems like it is stuck in 4wd while driving.

Is this normal?

Topic

[Richard Kirshy]

Sounds normal:
You appear to have an open or limited slip differential in the front.
Spinning the tire proves that the front drive is not locked to the transfer case which allows you to spin the tire.

[Shaun Flichel]

If the wheels spin opposite directions you have an open differential. You may have to have the engine running to test, or at least the key on so the solenoid gets power.

[Author]

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