Hello, I was wondering if anyone could help me out. I have a 2003 f150 5.4 4x4. My passenger side hub is locked in drive and reverse when going straight or turning left. It unlocks when doing a right turn. It has vacuum 19hg changed the wheel bearings and actuators and cv axles. If the cars jacked up it’s spins freely. Only if the tire has full load it will not unlock. Any recommendations on what could be wrong? Im thinking it’s sticking/misaligned causing it to bind? I have no clue at this point. Any suggestions would be great

 

Your misunderstanding the 4x4 system.
One side cannot be locked up and other side not on these trucks up to 2003 because there are no outer Hubs 'per sey'.
The front Actuator has the Axle locked in for some reason.
Get under the front and look for a plastic shield that covers the Actuator.
Remove it.
You will see the Actuator and an arm that connected to a shaft going into the housing.
That shaft moves a Splined collar inside that locks the CV axle together.
Either the Actuator has vacuum applied to keep the lock on or it stuck on.
Move the arm both ways to see if it can be moved with the engine off.
Evaluate why and what you find to decide what is at fault.
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The Actuator is Vacuum operated from two lines. One moves it one way, the other pulls it back while the motor is running to produce vacuum.
The Vacuum comes from firewall solenoids controlled through the transfer case motor position, controlled by a GEM module when you operate the dash switch.
Understand the operation of the system, then find what the fault is.
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The reason the wheel will seem to rotate freely when off the ground is the Differential action in the center section gear carrier. Something like one wheel drive when the other does not have traction.

 

My passenger side hub is locked in drive and reverse when going straight or turning left. It unlocks when doing a right turn.

as mentioned, that can not happen............ but WHAT makes you think that is happening ? What symptoms do you have ?

 

so the problem I now see is my hubs unlock fine my transfer case seems to be stuck in all wheel drive. I just replaced my transfer case shift motor to finally get 4h and low. Seems like I’m not getting a light for awd and the transfer case is spinning the driveshaft and cv axle when the switch is in 2h. Theirs a winding/humming sound I’m trying to get ride of which just seems to be getting worse.

 

there should be an electric switch at the END OF TRAVEL for the transfer case motor.. When it moves FULL POSITION, it hits the switch and the lights on the dash, and vacuum solenoid for front pumpkin are energized... If the light dont work properly, then you might still have a motor or binding problem.