4x4 Question
Thread Starter
|
Freshman User
Joined: Jan 2012
Posts: 44
Likes: 0
4x4 Question
I have a 1991 F150 with automatic hubs. Been hearing some grinding noise from the right front since I engaged the 4 wheel drive the other day. If I stop the noise stops and I hear a cluck from underneath which sounds as if it is coming from the front end. I put the truck up on jack stands and can spin the front driveshaft by hand which will turn both the front axles. If I spin the front left tire it wil spin the axle and front drive shaft. However if I spin the left tire nothing rotates except the tire. Should both tires be moving the front drivetrain? I am not very familiar with the 4 wheel drive and not sure if I should be looking for a broken part on the right front or a sticking hub on the left front? Also noticed a lot of play on the left front so am thinking its time to replace the wheel bearings as its on the wheel moving when I grab the tire andshake it. Any help would be appreciated and thanks!
Senior User
Joined: Oct 2011
Posts: 196
Likes: 0
From: Milwaukee, Wi
Did you do the front U-joint check? Try to see if there is any play in the U-joint by twisting the axle opposite ways on either side of the front U-joints, you can reach in there with the wheel turned between the frame fork and the knuckle.
Thread Starter
|
Freshman User
Joined: Jan 2012
Posts: 44
Likes: 0
Ok. So I guess from the answers here that I my front left is stuck in 4 wheel while the front right is working properly. And that 8 shouldn't worry about the play in the hub until I can get the hub unlocked and check ikt againn then? How does the hub lock itself? Is it vacum controled?
Senior User
Joined: Oct 2011
Posts: 196
Likes: 0
From: Milwaukee, Wi
if i remember correctly the automatic hubs use a spring mechanism that engages the hubs when power is supplied to the wheel via the axle. If not sealed correctly it could easily get grimy in there and cause parts to jam up. They are not hard to take apart and clean or replace if you have to. On youtube look up Oldsmob455, he has a lot of good videos working on our trucks including ball joints, u-joints, and the 4x4 hubs. You SHOULD try the u-joint check though because my auto hubs were locking and jamming up randomly because of bad front axle u-joints. I swapped em out for manual in the end when i replaced all front ball joints, u-joints, and bearings
Thread Starter
|
Freshman User
Joined: Jan 2012
Posts: 44
Likes: 0
Ok when I get home I will check the u joint. Should it be tight with absolutely no play whatsoever? I will also check out the guy on youtbe you mentioned. I was trying to find a video somewhere that showed the breakdown of the hub so I would be a bit more familiar with it. Thanks for the help and I will post back with the results I come up with
Trending Topics
Thread Starter
|
Freshman User
Joined: Jan 2012
Posts: 44
Likes: 0
Alright, well I got home and checked my u-joint and there does seem to be a fair amount of play. So I will pick up a new universal and go ahead and change the bearings while Im at it.(these are 20 year old parts after all) I have already replaced the upper and lower ball joints along with the tie rods, shocks, radius arm bushings, and sway bar bushings. The only question I would have left with this right now is I was turning the left side rotor and was spining the axle and the driveshaft from the transfer case. The front right side axle was not spining. Is this because the left side is stuck in place and the right side is working as it should? The truck is in 2wd at the moment. I will do the work on this probably Saturday to give me time to try and knock it out in one shot.
FTE Stories
Ford Trucks for Ford Truck Enthusiasts
3 Best / 3 Worst Parts of Modern Ford Ownership
Brett Foote
10 Amazing Upgrades That Solve Common Ford Truck Owner Headaches
Pouria Savadkouei
Every 2026 Ford Engine Explained
Brett Foote
10 Ugly Ford Trucks That We Still Kinda Love
Joe Kucinski
10 Things Every Truck Owner NEEDS (2026 Edition)
Michael S. Palmer
Rezvani's Latest Post-Apocalyptic Monster Is a Ford F-150 Raptor Underneath
Verdad Gallardo
Top 10 Most Expensive Ford Trucks Ever Sold on Bring a Trailer
Joe Kucinski
2027 Ford Super Duty Buyer's Guide (Every Model, Engine, & Package)
Brett Foote
Top 10 Ford Truck Tragedies
Joe Kucinski
Senior User
Joined: Oct 2011
Posts: 196
Likes: 0
From: Milwaukee, Wi
And yeah the hub is stuck
Cargo Master
Joined: Mar 2010
Posts: 3,338
Likes: 293
From: Laramie, WY
Yes the auto hubs are TRASH. They're Ok if you need to drive to the grocery store in a snow storm, but if you need 4x4 for anything more demanding than that, they will fail you sooner than later. I have the Warn lockouts and they have never given me a problem, while on my mother's old truck the auto hub shattered (literally came out in pieces) the first time we ever got that truck stuck.
New User
Joined: Feb 2017
Posts: 1
Likes: 0
I have a 2003 F150 4 wheel drive. My problem is the transfercase motor was acting up now I get no dash light for 4 wheel drive when using the dash switch. I have power to my solenoids with the engine on in 2 wd but when switched into 4 wd I have no power to the engage solenoid any ideas what to check. fuses are all good
Lead Driver
Joined: Feb 2013
Posts: 5,006
Likes: 72
From: Roseville, MN
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
Jschon
1999 - 2003 7.3L Power Stroke Diesel
8
Dec 2, 2017 02:55 PM
Boilermaker1994
1999 - 2016 Super Duty
4
Apr 10, 2017 05:46 PM
Lloydable
1999 - 2003 7.3L Power Stroke Diesel
13
Aug 3, 2015 11:09 AM