front hubs on my 02 are sticking. Ive never messed with the newer auto lockers.

Search gave me some differential stuff.

Anyone have advice on taking them out and cleaning them???

Any special tools required or parts to be careful with?

 

They are not auto lockers.
There is nothing in the front hubs on a manuel or electric shift on the fly.
The system is all controlled by a module.
There are two parts.
The electric motor driven shift event at the rear of the transfer case and the vacuum actuated front 'axle' locking event.
You have to check out the actuator for operation first if the front is in lock without being in 4x4.
The actuator operates a yoke inside the housing to lock up the axles with the front diff.
Again, there is nothing out on the front hubs but a splined C/V axle shaft that runs full time along for the ride..
Good luck.

 

So, You wont see vacuum issues with the truck if its not actuating properly, Okay.

I know its staying locked in, but not unlocking.

Hard for me to know 100% whats going on, Dads truck, and I live 17 hours away. Trying to figure out what he needs to do to get it working.


Whats going on is its got a vibration like one of the front wheels is locked in.

I've had it do it to me before, but it popped out after a few miles, its just not doing it now.
I'd hate to have to have him take it some where, no reputable mechanics in the area.

 

There is a vacuum operated actuator on the passenger front side of the front carrier.
It operates a lever on the outside and moves a sleeve inside to operate a slide coupling.
See if the arm is in the released position.
If yes there is an issue inside with the yoke that slides the coupling sleeve.
The actuator is a vacuum diaphram that is moved by vacuum applied to the side that needs to either slide the sleeve for engagement or disengage.
The vacuum is gated by solenoid relays located on the fire wall.
They in turn are controlled by the GEM module under the dash.
This all takes place by request from the dash switch to the GEM.
Good luck.

 

Could you be more specific about this?

Your writing directions I can follow fine, but not a 70 year old man can.

 

when you put it in 4 x 4, an electric motor on the side of the transer/ transmission case engages and the front drive shaft starts to turn (as you move).. At the front end you have a vacuum piston on the differential that strokes "in- out" depending ont he vacuum you supply. There are two hoses to the cylinder, one on each end. If your in park and motor running, one hose will have vacuum and pull the arm one way. Change the **** on the dash to 4 x 4 and the other line has vacuum, and the arm strokes to that end. The arm may be "stuck" and need soaked with penetrant.

 

I appologize, I forgot to mention it was a manual shift.

The more info the better though. For me anyways.

Best I can tell you guys from what I've been told is it vibrates like you have one hub locked in with manual hubs.

If the front shaft is always engaged, but it doesn't vibrate when shifted into 4wheel drive, what would cause that vibration?

Can one actuator not unlock then??

I didn't think it was a vacuum actuated system at all, really interesting.
The only other info I can provide is that I know you cannot shift on the fly with this truck like you normally can in fords. Is it possible that is related?

 

If you have a manual transmission, i assume you still have a vacuum operated front axle. What if the "arm" is stuck and your front axle is tieing the left and right axle shafts together. You would have a vibration when trying to turn the wheel.

 

gah! (oops)

MANUAL SHIFT TRANSFER CASE

Auto trans.


It's having a vibration while driving down the road, not just while turning.

 

Are you positive its coming from the front end? If so, I would have to say a wheel bearing is bad, or possibly the CV joint, but usually those start clicking when turning.
Rich

 

front axle is still the same-- check the vacuum cylinder on the axle for "stuck".


https://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/9...97-2003-a.html

 

X2. I had this happen on my 03 xlt, but it would not go in, not sure if it would make one side stick, have had the shift fork brake too, at about 10,000 miles, in 03 they were plastic, not sure about 02,

 

Ended up being a U-Joint.

So weird.

Thanks for all the suggestions guys.