why 4wd not working
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Senior User
Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 426
Likes: 0
From: Southwest Florida Coast
why 4wd not working
when I shift into 4x4 the dash light comes on but the front axle does not. where should I start looking. I've never worried about this b4, but I got drawn for a hunt down in Big cypress and it is some kinda serious muddy down there!
Lead Driver
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 5,098
Likes: 1,504
From: western SD
Do you have manuaL or auto locking hubs? Sounds as if one hub isn't locking. To check jack up one side of the front end, lock that hub in, and rotate the tire wile watching the u-joint in the steering nuckle. If the u-joint turns that hub is good, then check the other one the same way. If both hubs check out good, lock both hubs in with both wheels on the ground and try to turn the drive shaft. You should not be able to rotate it more than 1/16 of a turn. If that checks out, unlock the hubs, put the transfer case in 4h and the tranny in gear, try to turn the drive shaft. If it rotates something is bad in the transfer case.
Lead Driver
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 5,098
Likes: 1,504
From: western SD
I'm not to sure on the auto locking ones, but I believe you can lock them manually, you can on the auto locks on a Superduty. The Superduty ones are vaccume operated, but I have never worked on outo-locks on our trucks.
More Turbo
Joined: Nov 2010
Posts: 521
Likes: 6
From: Cincinnati, OH
Auto hubs lock by the front driveshaft putting turning force to them. With your truck parked, engine off and parking brake set for safety, get under and rotate your front driveshaft and watch the axles turn. They should turn until the hubs lock and you can no longer turn the driveshaft. They unlock by going in reverse with no 4wd. Just coasting backward like in 2wd. They will stay locked in powered reverse in 4wd.
Your transfer case in 2wd should have the front driveshaft as free and able to turn.
Your transfer case in 2wd should have the front driveshaft as free and able to turn.
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Post Fiend
Joined: Nov 2005
Posts: 7,437
Likes: 4
From: Charles Town, W bygod Va
Auto hubs lock by the front driveshaft putting turning force to them. With your truck parked, engine off and parking brake set for safety, get under and rotate your front driveshaft and watch the axles turn. They should turn until the hubs lock and you can no longer turn the driveshaft. They unlock by going in reverse with no 4wd. Just coasting backward like in 2wd. They will stay locked in powered reverse in 4wd.
Your transfer case in 2wd should have the front driveshaft as free and able to turn.
Your transfer case in 2wd should have the front driveshaft as free and able to turn.
What he said. Turn the ft driveshaft in one direction a few turns while watching the ft axles. One axle will turn and you should hear it lock in as it stops and the other one starts turning. When the second one locks, you won't be able to turn the driveshaft anymore
Changing direction of rotation should unlock them but you usually have to go back and forth a couple times to unlock them. Do all this with wheels on the ground and in 2wd.
With the transfer case in4wd you shouldn't be able to turn the ft driveshaft.
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Fleet Owner
Joined: Jul 2006
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Likes: 802
From: Mi'kma'ki
those hubs were not worth a nickle when new.when these things first came out,we swapped them out asap for manual lockers.
at that time,my old man had a '95 and i a '96. this was back in '99.his,and mine both failed just inside a few yrs old.
they might be ok for those who just go over the road in a little snow from time to time or something.otherwise,don't bother trying to buy those again.get a set of manual lockers,then when you turn the dial......you know your going,rather than guessing.the worst part ever to be offered on the 9th gen trucks were those auto locking hubs.
at that time,my old man had a '95 and i a '96. this was back in '99.his,and mine both failed just inside a few yrs old.
they might be ok for those who just go over the road in a little snow from time to time or something.otherwise,don't bother trying to buy those again.get a set of manual lockers,then when you turn the dial......you know your going,rather than guessing.the worst part ever to be offered on the 9th gen trucks were those auto locking hubs.
Thread Starter
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Senior User
Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 426
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From: Southwest Florida Coast
got under the truck yesterday and got out almost as fast, my son counted them for me and I have 28!! fire ant bites on my right foot. I'll work on it today after the liquid death takes effect.
More Turbo
Joined: Nov 2010
Posts: 521
Likes: 6
From: Cincinnati, OH
Fire ants suck! Had those when I lived in San Antonio. By the time you detect them on you it is too late and those little *******s have already bitten you. 28 bites would certainly be no fun!
Thread Starter
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Senior User
Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 426
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From: Southwest Florida Coast
sooo, I turned the front driveshaft in 2wd and watched my axles turn, shifted into 4wd and I can't turn the drive-shaft, but when I jack up the front end I can spin the wheel with no resistance. It's the hubs, right?
Post Fiend
Joined: Nov 2005
Posts: 7,437
Likes: 4
From: Charles Town, W bygod Va
If you turned the driveshaft the same direction for several revlutions and they didnt lock in, then yes, your hubs are bad. Get some manual ones with a conversion kit (if needed) and be done with it.