4x4low range

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Oct 17, 2011 | 10:09 AM

350crew4x4

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4x4low range

i was out getting fire wood and, its that time of year, the 4x4 low was working when we pulled the first log down, then on the second log the front tires didnt seem like they were pulling, the back tires would spin. Normally the truck would just idle and pull logs. I have a 2004 crew 350 6.0 manuel hubs. Can some one give me a direction to start with.
Thanks

Oct 17, 2011 | 03:20 PM

bpounds

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From: Whittier, CA

Sounds like a front hub problem. It only takes 1 side unlocked to lose all front drive, because the front differential is open and the torque will all go to the unlocked side.

Is it possible that one of the front tires was also slipping but you didn't see it? Because the front diff is open, only one front tire can be expected to be turning at any given time.

Unless 4WD is lost completely (broken transfer for example) a hub is about the only thing it can be. Just because they are manual does not mean they won't ever fail.

Oct 17, 2011 | 08:59 PM

350crew4x4

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bpounds,
Thanks for the reply I blocked the front up and spun both wheels the right side made a terrible ratcheting sound so I took the lockout assembly out and found a big mess. All three gears were broke the needle bearing broke and the plastic ring broke. Luckily the splines where good. It looks like the the bearing failed first from the wear on the inner race. I'm still curious what would have caused the bearing to fail in a sealed unit, everything was clean, no dirt there was grease in there and it wasn't jelled ?

Oct 18, 2011 | 02:25 AM

EODguyJake

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The guts of these hubs are pretty mickey mouse. I'm surprised more people don't have issues. If you shop around, you should be able to get a set of aftermarket hubs for around $100. I got mine from Summit about a year ago on sale for a 100 bones. As I'm sure you know, it takes all of 15 minutes to swap both sides out. Yeah, you lose the auto lock feature, but I never trusted that crap anyways.

Oct 18, 2011 | 07:45 AM

krewat

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From: Long Island USA

Quote:

Originally Posted by EODguyJake

The guts of these hubs are pretty mickey mouse. I'm surprised more people don't have issues.

I second that. I had the auto-locking hubs, and when one hung up I took it apart and when I realized how "mickey-mouse" it really was, I decided right then and there to put Warns on it. The worst thing I can think of would be to have a hub break somewhere off-road and not be able to get out.

I miss the "turn the **** and go" in a way, but with what I've put this thing through, I would certainly have broken a hub already...

Oct 18, 2011 | 08:04 AM

grec-o-face

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From: South Shore, MA

Quote:

Originally Posted by Krewat

I second that. I had the auto-locking hubs, and when one hung up I took it apart and when I realized how "mickey-mouse" it really was, I decided right then and there to put Warns on it. ....

.... I miss the "turn the **** and go" in a way, but with what I've put this thing through, I would certainly have broken a hub already...

Same here. I also had a failure; in the winter of course, with a plow, surrounded by snow. I'm running Warn Premiums now - got em from Amazon.com next day delivery for under $200.

Of course, now we can run in 2WD LOW if we want