4x4 problem
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4x4 problem
Hi all,
New to the site and forums in general. placed a post here this morning and can't even find it myself so i'm putting it up again in case it did not take. seems like a good site with lots of info. bought an '01 silverado z71 new and love the truck, just needed some more pulling power. I'm new to fords so I probably won't be any help for a while but would sure appreciate some feedback on a problem I'm having. Recently bought a '03 f250 lariat, 6.0 diesel, fx4 with 125k miles. Thought it was a good deal at first, mint inside and out, took for test drive, checked the 4x4, appropriate dash lights came on, 4low was obviously low, but did not notice any feel of it shifting into 4 wheel mode or sound of it shifting, just thought it was probably just smooth as all the dash lights were correct. got it home put it in 4hi, pulled in the grass and gunned it. rear wheels turning ,but not the front
. Hope this is an easy/inexpensive fix. anybody have any suggestions? Will be checking all the fuses shortly. Thanks for any help.
New to the site and forums in general. placed a post here this morning and can't even find it myself so i'm putting it up again in case it did not take. seems like a good site with lots of info. bought an '01 silverado z71 new and love the truck, just needed some more pulling power. I'm new to fords so I probably won't be any help for a while but would sure appreciate some feedback on a problem I'm having. Recently bought a '03 f250 lariat, 6.0 diesel, fx4 with 125k miles. Thought it was a good deal at first, mint inside and out, took for test drive, checked the 4x4, appropriate dash lights came on, 4low was obviously low, but did not notice any feel of it shifting into 4 wheel mode or sound of it shifting, just thought it was probably just smooth as all the dash lights were correct. got it home put it in 4hi, pulled in the grass and gunned it. rear wheels turning ,but not the front
. Hope this is an easy/inexpensive fix. anybody have any suggestions? Will be checking all the fuses shortly. Thanks for any help.
FTE Leadership Emeritus
Joined: Sep 2000
Posts: 23,174
Likes: 1,678
From: Stephensville WI
Hi fisher12 and welcome to FTE.
First, I would have you lock your front hubs (turn hubs from AUTOMATIC to LOCKED) and try your test again. I suspect your front hubs are not automatically locking like they should. It is a fairly common problem, just search this forum for ESOF.
First, I would have you lock your front hubs (turn hubs from AUTOMATIC to LOCKED) and try your test again. I suspect your front hubs are not automatically locking like they should. It is a fairly common problem, just search this forum for ESOF.
Laughing Gas
Joined: Feb 2011
Posts: 991
Likes: 6
From: Newberry Springs, CA
What type of front hubs do you have?
If you have factory auto/lock hubs, they are vacuum actuated and my not be pulling in due to a vacuum leak. Switch them to "lock" and see if they work.
If you have factory auto/lock hubs, they are vacuum actuated and my not be pulling in due to a vacuum leak. Switch them to "lock" and see if they work.
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4x4 problems
Well, Manully locked the hubs and could not get the wheels to slip. Unlocked them and the rear wheels did slip. With them locked it also handled like it was in 4wd so I assume that was the problem. Now I just have to find the vacuum leak and fix it. Don't know what it is going to take to fix the vacuum problem but I'll fix it with a smile. I'll be searching posts for ESOF to further my knowledge of the system. Thanks for the help, much appreciated.
Mountain Pass
Joined: May 2011
Posts: 143
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From: Little Elm, Texas
Welcome to FTE, Fisher12, and more importantly, welcome to Ford Super Duty ownership!
I just had the exact same problem. I have an '00 with 185K miles on it, and for the first time (I consider myself lucky for it lasting this long...) my hubs would not lock automatically. Stuck my head under the wheel well to discover the rubber vacuum lines had completely rotted through and basically disintegrated. Less than $5 from Autozone, and the problem is fixed. I will probably still change the hubs while I have it torn apart for ball joint replacements.
I just had the exact same problem. I have an '00 with 185K miles on it, and for the first time (I consider myself lucky for it lasting this long...) my hubs would not lock automatically. Stuck my head under the wheel well to discover the rubber vacuum lines had completely rotted through and basically disintegrated. Less than $5 from Autozone, and the problem is fixed. I will probably still change the hubs while I have it torn apart for ball joint replacements.
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Thanks for the reply hope my problem is as easy to fix, will probably stick with the auto hubs as my wife drives the truck to work in the winter when the roads are bad. We live in rural area with 3 miles of gravel that doesn't get plowed before we hit pavement. Don't want to hear from her if she has to go out in 12 inches of snow to lock hubs. Will get back when I get a chance to look into further. Thanks
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FTE Leadership Emeritus
Joined: Sep 2000
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From: Stephensville WI
Thanks for the reply hope my problem is as easy to fix, will probably stick with the auto hubs as my wife drives the truck to work in the winter when the roads are bad. We live in rural area with 3 miles of gravel that doesn't get plowed before we hit pavement. Don't want to hear from her if she has to go out in 12 inches of snow to lock hubs. Will get back when I get a chance to look into further. Thanks
Laughing Gas
Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 1,098
Likes: 6
From: Ventura co.
Hubs do get stuck..
here is a link to clean them.. Welcome to guzzle's 4x4 Autolock Hub Lubrication Maintenance Web Page
here is a link to clean them.. Welcome to guzzle's 4x4 Autolock Hub Lubrication Maintenance Web Page
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