The t-case shifter has nothing to do with the wheels.
88 F150 4x4 manual hub problem
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Joined: May 2002
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From: Baltimore
88 F150 4x4 manual hub problem
I have an 88 F150 302 4x4 automatic transmission with manual hubs. The process of engaging the hubs manually (turn them on at the wheels) and select 4wd on the shifter on the floor works fine. However, when I take the shifter out of 4wd, the wheels are still fully in the 4x4 mode. The only way to disengage it is to manually change the wheels back to 2wd mode. This problem just started over the last couple of months. I suspect there may be some sort of actuator on the floor shifter that isn't disengaging the 4x4 mode. Any/all help on this would be appreciated.
thanks,
Mike
thanks,
Mike
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Joined: Mar 2002
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From: Charter Oak, Iowa
88 F150 4x4 manual hub problem
marragtop,
To understand better, are you saying that when you disengage the transfer case, the transfer case actually stays engaged and the only way to get the transfer case disengaged is to unlock the front hubs??
If this is the situation, my truck seems to stay engaged the same way but letting off on the throttle it seems to disengage. In other words unloading the pressure on the drivetrain seems to disengage it. I think mine has acted this way ever since new and I think it is normal. Seems you have a different situation as unlocking the hubs is necessary to unload the pressure. Hmmmm. Wear??? Anyone out there know this one??
Randy
To understand better, are you saying that when you disengage the transfer case, the transfer case actually stays engaged and the only way to get the transfer case disengaged is to unlock the front hubs??
If this is the situation, my truck seems to stay engaged the same way but letting off on the throttle it seems to disengage. In other words unloading the pressure on the drivetrain seems to disengage it. I think mine has acted this way ever since new and I think it is normal. Seems you have a different situation as unlocking the hubs is necessary to unload the pressure. Hmmmm. Wear??? Anyone out there know this one??
Randy
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From: Dededo, Guam
88 F150 4x4 manual hub problem
Are you making sure that you back up about 15 ft when you disengage. My auto hubs will stay engaged until i back up. I usually back up about 30' to be on the safe side.
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Joined: Jan 2002
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From: LeClaire IA
88 F150 4x4 manual hub problem
i am with steve and pig farmer try putting your truck in neutral when shifting into 4by when stopped also you do have to manually unlock the hubs but you also have to back up not as far as JRS only for the fact that he has different hubs his are automatic not to be a smart azz but is this your first 4x4? btw in the length of a parking space i get my manuals to disengage
New User
Joined: Dec 2002
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From: Nashville USA
88 F150 4x4 manual hub problem
Having a similar problem with 88' F150 4X4 manual hubs and 4 on the floor.
When I place the hubs in FREE and transfer in 2 wheel I get a clicking noise and it feels like hubs are locked.
When I place the hubs in LOCK and the transfer in 4 High, she will move about 2' feet front or reverse digging some really nice tire ruts, while not going anywhere. All tires are active due to the observation of the 4 deep ruts, but she will not move.
This is my first 4X4 so maybe I am the problem. Anyone have an idea?
Thank you, John Mondelli
When I place the hubs in FREE and transfer in 2 wheel I get a clicking noise and it feels like hubs are locked.
When I place the hubs in LOCK and the transfer in 4 High, she will move about 2' feet front or reverse digging some really nice tire ruts, while not going anywhere. All tires are active due to the observation of the 4 deep ruts, but she will not move.
This is my first 4X4 so maybe I am the problem. Anyone have an idea?
Thank you, John Mondelli
New User
Joined: Jun 2002
Posts: 22
Likes: 0
From: Shawnee
88 F150 4x4 manual hub problem
>Having a similar problem with 88' F150 4X4 manual hubs and 4
>on the floor.
>When I place the hubs in FREE and transfer in 2 wheel I get
>a clicking noise and it feels like hubs are locked.
>When I place the hubs in LOCK and the transfer in 4 High,
>she will move about 2' feet front or reverse digging some
>really nice tire ruts, while not going anywhere. All tires
>are active due to the observation of the 4 deep ruts, but
>she will not move.
>This is my first 4X4 so maybe I am the problem. Anyone have
>an idea?
>Thank you, John Mondelli
Hey John, It sounds like you may have different gear ratios in the front and rear differentials. Does it act real squirrely on gravel when in 4 wheel drive? If this is the case your back wheels are trying to drive at a different speed than than your front (weaker) wheels and causing some major stripping in your front hubs.
>on the floor.
>When I place the hubs in FREE and transfer in 2 wheel I get
>a clicking noise and it feels like hubs are locked.
>When I place the hubs in LOCK and the transfer in 4 High,
>she will move about 2' feet front or reverse digging some
>really nice tire ruts, while not going anywhere. All tires
>are active due to the observation of the 4 deep ruts, but
>she will not move.
>This is my first 4X4 so maybe I am the problem. Anyone have
>an idea?
>Thank you, John Mondelli
Hey John, It sounds like you may have different gear ratios in the front and rear differentials. Does it act real squirrely on gravel when in 4 wheel drive? If this is the case your back wheels are trying to drive at a different speed than than your front (weaker) wheels and causing some major stripping in your front hubs.
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Post Fiend
Joined: Nov 2002
Posts: 9,987
Likes: 7
From: Memphis, TN
88 F150 4x4 manual hub problem
>she will move about 2' feet front or reverse digging some
>really nice tire ruts, while not going anywhere. All tires
>are active due to the observation of the 4 deep ruts, but
>she will not move.
You start by saying it moves and end saying it doesn't.
If all 4 tires are turning, then the truck will move unless it's chained down or against a wall. 
Are the back wheels turning (pushing dirt out the back) and the fronts locked (pushing dirt ahead of them)?
>really nice tire ruts, while not going anywhere. All tires
>are active due to the observation of the 4 deep ruts, but
>she will not move.
You start by saying it moves and end saying it doesn't.
If all 4 tires are turning, then the truck will move unless it's chained down or against a wall. Are the back wheels turning (pushing dirt out the back) and the fronts locked (pushing dirt ahead of them)?FTE Stories
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New User
Joined: Dec 2002
Posts: 4
Likes: 0
From: Nashville USA
88 F150 4x4 manual hub problem
It appears that they are all pushing dirt out behind the tires but truck will not move forward or back more then or slightly less then 2 feet in either direction. When I unlock the manual hubs she will move.With hubs unlocked and transfer case in 2 wheel mode she will move in either direction but has a slight clicking sound. Is this any help
New User
Joined: Dec 2002
Posts: 4
Likes: 0
From: Nashville USA
88 F150 4x4 manual hub problem
I did buy the truck used, I really don't have a clue if they are geared different. But they seem to push and dig out gravel and dirt to the rear, but will only move a total of 2 feet forward and the same in reverse. I do have a granny 4 speed on the floor. And it feels like it is geared about a 355 ratio when in 2 wheel on the highway. I am only comparing the RPM's at crusing speed too a new 336 rear I just put in my 1977 Corvette. Of course the tires are no where near the same size.
Post Fiend
Joined: Nov 2002
Posts: 9,987
Likes: 7
From: Memphis, TN
88 F150 4x4 manual hub problem
Put the truck in 4, then get a piece of kite string or something and wrap it once around the front tire, lay it along the ground, and once around the back tire. Then try to go forward. Don't spin - just try to go a foot. When you stop, look at the string. If it's broken, the front is geared slower than the rear; if it's got slack between the wheels, the front is geared faster.
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