I was climbing the pass yesterday and went to lock my hubs so that when i needed 4wheel drive, i wouldn't have to get out and lock them and i could just throw it in 4wd. My issue is that when i locked my hubs and got back on the highway, it sounded like i was about to take off from the airport and the steering was vibrating real bad. To me this doesn't seem normal, but I dont know much about the front axle. Can anybody help an axle newby.

 

U joints may be sticky from lack of use or need to be greased ...

It might get better on its own too..

 

He's got a 250 Rick. That leads for a whole SLEW of problems.

I have the same issue James.
Bad or worn ungreased u-joints do some crazy things, and bad bearings in the spindles can cause issues as well.

The TTB is great when its in good working order. The 4wd will still work fine with the bad parts, but its just kinda scary to drive at higher speeds with it in.

Mine actually only makes noise when I'm pushing the front end, instead of having it in 4wd.
but you shouldn't drive on the pavement in 4wd anyways. Having the hubs locked in is okay, but dont leave it in 4wd.

 

He's got a 250 Rick. That leads for a whole SLEW of problems.

I have the same issue James.
Bad or worn ungreased u-joints do some crazy things, and bad bearings in the spindles can cause issues as well.

The TTB is great when its in good working order. The 4wd will still work fine with the bad parts, but its just kinda scary to drive at higher speeds with it in.

Mine actually only makes noise when I'm pushing the front end, instead of having it in 4wd.
but you shouldn't drive on the pavement in 4wd anyways. Having the hubs locked in is okay, but dont leave it in 4wd.

 

I wasn't in 4wd at the time. I had the hubs locked so when i got in the snow, i could throw it up into 4wd. Dad says its normal that it gets loud like that, I guess I've just never experienced it.

 

x2 what Action said it may get better as you drive it but chances are it will not maybe someone has changed the u joints at one time or other and you can get some grease in them because the stock ones are un greasable .

I lock my hubs once a month during the summer to keep things from seizing up

 

I will look at the U joints today. All i know is i thought something was gonna blow up so i pulled over and freed them up.

 

chances are you have the factory u-joints up there and the are going south like Rick said. It's not a bad job to change the outer 2, but the 3rd one up on the passenger side stub shaft is kind of a PITA b/c you have to pull the driver side beam to pull off the pumpkin to pull the C-clip out to get the stub shaft out.. You can probably change it in the truck, but it will bring the suck.

 

LMAO!!! that there is the truth

 

So what should i be looking for?

 

My Ranger used to do that every fall , it always improved. Give it a little time ..

 

This was the first time i locked them this winter. I will go give her a run today with them locked and see. Visually looking at them, what should i be looking for? Thanks for the help guys, I'm just not very knowledgeable in this category.

 

Excessive slop...My F-350's were SHOT! And made the worst noise.

 

Visually , look for rust stains near the joint caps , & physically ,for movement ...

 

Not too much movement in the joints. However i think i found my problem....




The ujoint is rubbing the drop bracket when the shaft is spinning.