Help front wheels won't lock

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Jan 20, 2012 | 09:27 AM

ipmtim

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Help front wheels won't lock

Hi, I'm new to this forum and I hope you guys will help.
I'm a long time corvette guy and hang out at their forums alot.
I have a 2003 F-250 deisel crew cab and cant get the front wheels to lock.
with the truck in 4x4 high the front driveshaft is locked and with the manual hubs locked the half shaft turn when unlocked just the wheels turn. So I think the problem is in the front diff.
Can anybody walk me through what to check.
TIA
Tim

Jan 20, 2012 | 09:41 AM

Raleigh1

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From: Viva Las Vegas

With the transfer case in neutral, parking brake set, tires chocked and hubs unlocked get under the truck and turn the front drive shaft by hand.
You should see the knuckles on each end of the axle turning, if they don't your problem is the diff. If they do try the next step...

Now lock the hubs and try again, this time you should NOT be able to turn the drive shaft.
If you can turn it, look to see which knuckle is turning, that is the faulty hub. If that is not it try the next step.

Now put unlock the hubs, and put it in 4 hi, and try to turn the front drive shaft. If it turns it is the transfer case.

Jan 20, 2012 | 09:46 AM

ipmtim

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I don't have a nuetral position for the transfer case 2 hi, 4 hi and 4 lo only I'm assuming just putting the trans in nuetral won't do it
Tim

Jan 20, 2012 | 10:04 AM

Raleigh1

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Nah it will work fine, just have it in 2WD while doing the tests.

Jan 20, 2012 | 10:25 AM

ipmtim

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Raleigh,
Thanks for the input. it failed test #1 front driveshaft turns but nothing else, I had suspected the diff. I guess I'll have to pull the cover and see how bad it is.
Something simple? Any suggestions would be appreciated.
Tim

Last edited by ipmtim; Jan 20, 2012 at 10:25 AM. Reason: addition

Jan 20, 2012 | 10:32 AM

Raleigh1

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Most likely it is the planetary gears, not too bad to do, but you'll have to remove the axle shafts which means pulling the wheels, hubs, rotors, and spindles. It is a long job time wise.

Best to pack the bearings and replace the seals at the same time.

Will you be doing this yourself? I would suggest pulling the carrier out and have it set up by a pro if you haven't done one before.

Jan 20, 2012 | 11:05 AM

ipmtim

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I've done just about everything except diff's, but your advice about having a pro set them up is very wise.
Thanks again, I'll post up the results.
Tim