Need 4wd Help ASAP...
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Senior User
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Need 4wd Help ASAP...
Ok so im now in Alaska and the weather is heading in FAST. The roads are iced up already and I need my 4WD more than ever. I can lock the hubs (Superwinch) and when i go to put the dash switch to 4WD (High or Low) it makes loud clicking/clanking sounds, faster I go the faster the noise gets. A friend pulled off the drivers side hub and everything was in great condition, no grinding or signs of anything grinding. the wheel still engages in 4wd but does not sound healthy by any means. Can anyone help? Ill try to take a video to better describe what im talking about.
Senior User
Joined: Jun 2010
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From: Canyon Country, Ca
This is just an observation on my part. I am not a mechanical 4X4 person. But why would you go out side of your truck and lock the hubs then get inside the truck and turn the ESOF switch for 4X4. I was under the impression that you leave your hubs in the auto position no matter what then you use the switch inside the cab. If your switch does not work then you would manually turn the hub to lock.
When reading your post it read to me that you locked the hubs from outside first.
When reading your post it read to me that you locked the hubs from outside first.
Last edited by V10ZILLA; Oct 26, 2011 at 02:02 PM. Reason: LAUSD
Lead Driver
Joined: Aug 2004
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From: Gilbert
This is just an observation on my part. I am not a mechanical 4X4 person. But why would you go out side of your truck and lock the hubs then get inside the truck and turn the ESOF switch for 4X4. I was under the impression that you leave your hubs in the auto position no matter what then you use the switch inside the cab. If your switch does not work then you would manually turn the hub to lock.
To the OP, can you tell where the noise is coming from (fr lt/rt side, transfer case, etc)? Maybe check your fluids as well (transfer case, front diff).
Laughing Gas
Joined: Feb 2011
Posts: 991
Likes: 6
From: Newberry Springs, CA
V10, the way the system is "supposed" to work is exactly the way you outlined however, that is banking on your vacuum lines, hub seals, diaphragms and actuators are all working correctly, as well as your hubs being well lubed. In the real world, these things are very often in some state of disrepair, and the Ford OEM Auto hubs are notorious for not being serviceable.
So, for those of us who use and depend on our 4WD systems, a manual hub change is the natural choice. Getting out of the truck to lock the hubs is no big deal,m you have to do that with the auto hubs sometimes as well. Typically, I lock them well before I even think I will need them.
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Joined: Jun 2010
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From: Canyon Country, Ca
Thanks for the info you guys (2000silverbullet,barthel). I did not know that aftermarket hubs were only lock or unlock. Did not know that you could not use the ESOF system with after market hubs.
I learn something all the time here. Better to learn here than be stuck and not know out there.
I learn something all the time here. Better to learn here than be stuck and not know out there.
Last edited by V10ZILLA; Oct 26, 2011 at 03:32 PM. Reason: LAUSD
Laughing Gas
Joined: Feb 2011
Posts: 991
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From: Newberry Springs, CA
For example, when I go camping in the desert I get off the freeway to head into where I camp. It's about 8 miles off the road in dirt roads and fire trails. When I get off the freeway I lock my hubs before I head into the desert but do not put it into 4WD. So, hubs are locked but I'm still in 2WD. If I need 4WD I flip the ESOF switch and I'm in 4WD.
Lead Driver
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From: Gilbert
You can still use the ESOF system with manual hubs, it's just not "automatic".
For example, when I go camping in the desert I get off the freeway to head into where I camp. It's about 8 miles off the road in dirt roads and fire trails. When I get off the freeway I lock my hubs before I head into the desert but do not put it into 4WD. So, hubs are locked but I'm still in 2WD. If I need 4WD I flip the ESOF switch and I'm in 4WD.
For example, when I go camping in the desert I get off the freeway to head into where I camp. It's about 8 miles off the road in dirt roads and fire trails. When I get off the freeway I lock my hubs before I head into the desert but do not put it into 4WD. So, hubs are locked but I'm still in 2WD. If I need 4WD I flip the ESOF switch and I'm in 4WD.
Before I sold my 2000, I'd leave the front hubs locked all winter, then when I needed 4wd, same thing, throw the switch.
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Fleet Mechanic
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From: Garden Valley, Idaho
If you have manual hubs, then leave them engaged all winter. Just use your ESOF to go from 2 wheel to 4 wheel when you need it. On the first engagement, after turning the hubs in, go back and forth a couple of times to make sure the hubs locked before going into 4 wheel drive. After that, leave the hubs in all winter until you don't need 4 wheel drive any more. Winters in Alaska are much different than anywhere else, and leaving the hubs in all winter is a must.
Been there, know that.
Pap
Been there, know that.
Pap
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Senior User
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The factory dials eventually get locked up and instead of dropping a ton of money on the factory hubs, you drop a set of mile marker/warn/superwinch hubs in there.. Those aren't auto/lock hubs like the factory ones, they're lock/unlock.
To the OP, can you tell where the noise is coming from (fr lt/rt side, transfer case, etc)? Maybe check your fluids as well (transfer case, front diff).
To the OP, can you tell where the noise is coming from (fr lt/rt side, transfer case, etc)? Maybe check your fluids as well (transfer case, front diff).
Sounds like the transfer case to me. Have you checked the fluid level?
V10, the way the system is "supposed" to work is exactly the way you outlined however, that is banking on your vacuum lines, hub seals, diaphragms and actuators are all working correctly, as well as your hubs being well lubed. In the real world, these things are very often in some state of disrepair, and the Ford OEM Auto hubs are notorious for not being serviceable.
So, for those of us who use and depend on our 4WD systems, a manual hub change is the natural choice. Getting out of the truck to lock the hubs is no big deal,m you have to do that with the auto hubs sometimes as well. Typically, I lock them well before I even think I will need them.
V10, the way the system is "supposed" to work is exactly the way you outlined however, that is banking on your vacuum lines, hub seals, diaphragms and actuators are all working correctly, as well as your hubs being well lubed. In the real world, these things are very often in some state of disrepair, and the Ford OEM Auto hubs are notorious for not being serviceable.
So, for those of us who use and depend on our 4WD systems, a manual hub change is the natural choice. Getting out of the truck to lock the hubs is no big deal,m you have to do that with the auto hubs sometimes as well. Typically, I lock them well before I even think I will need them.
If you have manual hubs, then leave them engaged all winter. Just use your ESOF to go from 2 wheel to 4 wheel when you need it. On the first engagement, after turning the hubs in, go back and forth a couple of times to make sure the hubs locked before going into 4 wheel drive. After that, leave the hubs in all winter until you don't need 4 wheel drive any more. Winters in Alaska are much different than anywhere else, and leaving the hubs in all winter is a must.
Been there, know that.
Pap
Been there, know that.
Pap
Lead Driver
Joined: May 2003
Posts: 9,303
Likes: 48
From: Lyndonville, Vermont
You need to jack up the front end in 2wd.. Lock one hub turn the tire and see if the axle spins which it should...Unlock it..And try the other side the axle should spin. Lock both sides and try again at a slow speed to engage 4wd hi..If it doesn't go in to 4wd you may have an issue with the transfercase motor not fully shifting..My guess is maybe one of the hubs isn't locking. They both need to be locked or noise will be what you hear..Not good...
Dick
Dick
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From: Stephensville WI
The loud clanking sound could be U-joints on the front drive shaft, or perhaps the transfer case. Do you hear any unusual noise when the front hubs are locked but you don't engage the transfer case?
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Senior User
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No noise at all unless the transfer case is engaged.. I started a new post with video clip here
https://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/1...4wd-noise.html
https://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/1...4wd-noise.html
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