I've got a 97 f-350 7.3 Diesel 4-door pickup 4x4 not a dually the auto locking hubs up front are engaging and disengaging when slowing down I've had the hubs apart and things seem normal, anybody have a blowout of what its supposed to look like, or any suggestions on how to fix it?

 

I am sure you did this but did you check your lines (hoses) to make sure they are good and snug and not disconnected? That happened to me one time when I landed in a ditch and the hubs began to malfunction without provocation.

 

I had a lot of problems with my auto locking hubs on my 97. They never worked when I really needed them. I sold the truck to my friend and the first thing he did was put warn hubs on. They are manual hubs so you need to get out to lock them. But it does solve the problem.

 

I dont have money for the warns yet, not till winter breaks, I want to be able to drive the truck without this issue in the meantime, even if it means making it 2 wheel drive just till I can afford the hubs, keep it coming guys, these forums are great. thanks all
its not a vaccum operated system

 

Now, I just had a lengthy thread about my 4X4 auto locking hubs and most people were saying that the hubs are operated by "air", is that not a vaccum system?????????Man, I thought I had these things figured out!!!!!!

 

this is not a "push button" 4 wheel drive system. there is a gearshift on the floor with 2H-4H-4L, again I just want to be able to drive the truck for now even if it means going in only 2x4 but in 2 wheel drive the hubs are locking and unlocking on their own

 

Ok I was not aware that the manual shift 4X4 transfer cases have a different type of AUTO locking hubs, I assume they engage and disengage electronically if they are AUTO??? I'm going to try to refer some guys that have posted on my 4X4.... thread to your thread so maybe they can help you out.

 

I dont think you have AUTO locking 4X4 hubs?????Read this other post from my thread.


So are your hub dials set to locked or unlocked?I am pretty sure these FTE guys can figure out what is going on with your 4X4 system.

 

You have a manual 4x4 selection so you may want to start a new thread that does not say auto hub problem. That gets posted a ton and may not get a response. I would change it to something like manual 4X4 will not stay engaged?? Good luck I sorry I don't have any experience with that 4X4 system.

 

I believe the way the system works is when the lever is engaged into 4x4 the axle shafts slide out 1/4" or so to engage the hubs. anyway, I have solved the problem, dissasembled everything in the hub, cleaned all parts, greased the wheel bearing and a slight ammount of grease on the hubs (aluminum UGH!!) and re-assembled, working fine now till I can buy some warn hubs. thanks all for your input!

 

Good job 59dumper, I had a feeling you were working on getting the problem fixed when it took awhile to respond to the last post. Sounds like you figured out what you had on the truck and how it worked and set a game plan and then followed through to get the job done. Congrats & I hope you don't have to wait long for those WARN hubs and don't have anymore problems during the wait.

 

Let me explain....

HE HAS A 1997 TRUCK.

It is not a superduty. it is not vacuum operated. it is a completely mechanical auto locking hublock. they work by turning a cam system when the front drive shafts are engaged. the rotational torque of the shafts in the hub turn against a clutch and cause a cam to push the splines to engage. the hubs will unlock if you go from forward to reverse. These came with both the automatic and manual shift transfer cases. They had no manual dial to lock them into operation. They were VERY quirky, if you think the ones on the superduty are weird, these were bad. The worst is the disengagement when going from forward and backwards.

Doing what you did to fix it is about all you can do. The internal clutch ring has to be able to apply enough drag to allow them to engage. If they have drag from lack of lube, then can engage and disengage as you have described. ATF is the recommended lube for the hub lock mechanism. I usually soak them in a small pan of atf.

 

Thanks aldridgec for clearing up my train of thought, your right SuperDUTY did not exsist in the 97' model year and his 4X4 system is a creation of earlier Ford engineering & concepts.

Thanks again.

 

on the 97 truck, check your front axle joints, if they are either worn out and loose or rusted tight they will cause your hubs to lock and unlock. this need to be fixed before replacing the hubs because it will tear the new hubs out as well.

 

barr75, I bet he will not even read this thread again since he thinks he solved the problem, unfortunately. You should send him a private message & hopefully he will read your informative tip.