Howdy all!

I'm new here and had a question. I'm somewhat new to the PSD world. I have spent the last 15 years with Japanese cars exclusively. But now I have a 97 F350 Powerstroke 4x4. It was taken care of very well by my father. I have now noticed a significant problem. When I shift into 4wd, the transfer case engages, but I have no power to the front wheels. The drive shaft spins, and the tranny will move to 4 low, but still nothing to the front wheels. I have tried everything I know to do to troubleshoot the problem. My guess is that it's that auto hubs that is the problem. I have searched this, and other forums for an answer but have yet to find one. I had read somewhere that the front hubs are vacuum actuated, is that true? I had a vacuum pump replaced recently and curious if perhaps ford accidentally forgot to connect a hose. Any help would be appreciated! I think I'll be ending up replacing the auto hubs though. This place looks like a great hangout for PSD owners, and I'm looking forward to what this site has in store! Thanks!

stuie

 

Yea the autos failed you. Standard operating procedure.
Welcome!

Yea,watch your wallet...

 

Welcome to FTE! I would replace the auto hubs with manual hubs. You will also have to change the spindle nuts to the manual hub style. You can put auto hubs back in, but they won't hold up like the manual hubs. I have had trouble with auto hubs on every truck I've ever owned that had them.

 

Welcome to FTE. I'd probably swap them out too. It's nice to know that they are locked in when you want them to be.

 

No one forgot to connect a hose. The auto hubs are centrifugal, not vacuum-op. And even if one fails, since it's an open diff, you have no front wheel drive. So +1 on the manual conversion; you'll not regret it.

 

Well, I'm going to go counter to consensus here. I recently swapped the D50 IFS with auto hubs in my 97 F250 for a D60 from a 97 F350 with Manual hubs. I live on a steep, rough switch backed gravel road and use 4x4 regularly. Often pulling heavy (20k+) up the hill, scratchin and clawin as I go and the auto's worked great. They just need to be kept clean and lubed. I'm missing the auto's and thinking of switching out the manuals with them, I find it a nuisance to have to get out and lock and unlock the hubs multiple times a week. Guess it depends on your situation.

The autos engage from a standstill only, unlike vacuum, and disengage by reversing 10'.

Good luck,
Bob

 

Thanks for the suggestions, gents. I had suspected the auto hubs, but have never owned a 4wd vehicle before, only awd, so I needed someone smart to double check me. This is a great place! Looking forward to fun times!

 

Now dont get me wrong, I wish the autos were more dependable. I dont like having to get out and flip them. Having dependable 4wd is much more important tho!

 

Ok, this is probably a dumb question, but what do the vacuum lines that go to the hub do, if the auto hub is centrifugal?

 

They don't exist, in any trucks relevant to this section of the forums.