So I was driving on the icy Golden, CO roads this morning and spent 5+ minutes fishtailing up a slight incline thinking my 4 wheel drive was engaged, but it wasn't. The 4X4 light was on, but that was it. A friend of mine said he watched as my rear wheels slipped while I drove up the hill. I have a 2005 F350 diesel. It's got 218,000+ miles, and I bought it just a couple months ago.

At the end of the day, driving home, I noticed the steering wasn't 'fighting' me as I turned the steering wheel toward the extremes (I hadn't disengaged 4X4 yet). I diesngaged 4X4 and drove home. At the house, I engaged it again, backed up, drove forward, backed up, drove forward and BAM! The 4X4 slammed into gear. It was loud. The only thing I could find online was that in cold weather, you might have to go slow or stop to engage. My hubs are set on auto, and I've never had issues before (in the 2 months I've owned the truck). I bought it at a dealer, so I can't get in touch with the prior owner. Clean OASIS and CARFAX.

Has anyone experienced anything like this or have any ideas? Thanks.

 

You that sounds like bad grease and/or a vacuum leak. Someone has posted a
nice how to on re-greasing the hubs. I would also check the vacuum lines so
see what shape that they are in. My 06 this last winter did not want to engage
for a little bit and also started to blow out the defrosters just for a second or two
then it went to working. I did not get a bang out of it. When you do the re-grease
you will need a hub seal kit from what I hear.

Sean

 

Awesome, thanks Yahiko! I guess I know what I'm doing when the snow melts and it warms up out here.