Ok, here's the symptom:

When I'm in 4x4 high anything over 25 mph I hear a loud noise from my front left wheel... almost sounds like a really big tire with lots of heavy tread at high speed on the highway. When I turn 4x4 high back over to 2x4, the sound continues until I come to a COMPLETE stop, and then goes away.

Here's the history:

Took the truck in for an alignment and two new tires on the front. Happened the very first time I turned 4x4 on after the new tires (same day). I figured it was just a fluke. Happened again yesterday, so I tested it a couple times and it did it every time. Took it back into the shop today that did the new tires, and they said it's most likely a sticky hub that's not releasing all the way. Said it couldn't have been caused by anything they did, and suggested I bring it back in tomorrow for them to clean it out... said something about spraying brake fluid up in it.

Here's the questions:
1) Does the symptom match up with a sticky hub?
2) Were they telling the truth that nothing they did messed it up?
3) How easy is it to clean out the hub myself? I don't feel like paying them to fix the problem cause I'm broke.

Thanks!

 

So whats the symptom? Just a noise your hearin? No smell or pull? Is the hub hot after driving?

 

if it's a sticky hub, the only way to really fix the prob is to remove it to check. now when u take the hub out and apart, u will have to replace the o-rings and seals on it. i'm sure u can get an o-ring kit cheaply at tousley ford.

hard to tell who screwed up. it could have been inherent. it just didnt show up until u got it.

the 4wd in our system is engaged by actuators / levers whatever. those are handled by the vacuum system. maybe there is a vacuum leak? but then again, if u have the loud noise, it could be something inside the hub tat is already worn out, and needs replacement. if u want, send me a pm. i have the link to guzzle's page with instructions to take apart the hub and to inspect it for yourself. also, it should have the part numbers tat u may need for the o-ring kit. i think it's guzzle. i have the bookmark on my imac. i can send it to u.

hope this helps for now. if i'm wrong, somebody will chime in and correct me. lol.

 

I had some hub trouble today to

I had a Bunk of Wood delivered monday and it was snowing alittle well the guy was to scared to dump it where I wanted it

So I took a Choker strap and Draged it threw the feild and down A Hill and as I backed up this Hill Really Steep hill I thought I ran a Huge rock over well it wasnt a Rock but my Hubs Locking and Unlocking

So I locked them Manualy In and Didnt have anymore problems

I never would have know going down the Paved road But in the Feild in the Mud on a Steep Hill I had to WOT and Light the tires up a Few times

was Going to pull the hub apart over Xmas and grease it Guess I better Pull a Vac on it and check for a leak too It has all new front end seals they are 1 year Old IDK

 

Dave check your Ujoints on the front

 

Thanks guys! I'll check all that out... No smell, no pull. Have not felt it, but will check tomorrow. Just the noise... And no symptoms at all in 2wd... Hoping its a simple thing cause I don't have a lot of cash to work with right now...

 

here is the link to the pdf version for the entire procedure. guzzle did this. http://www.guzzle7pt3.com/doc/allube.pdf

i love the writeup. even a dummy like me can feel really confident in doing this. i know it's for a 7.3, but i dont think there was too much difference in the front wheel hubs. again, someone can chime in to correct me if i'm wrong.

 

sorry to hear ur having all this trouble, dave.

 

I had to manually lock mine in, there is vacumn to the hub?Do they make a hub seal kit? How do i check for the vacumn?

 

Eh, it happens... Wouldn't suck so bad if money wasn't so tight right now... Took a five figure pay cut to get my dream job and haven't been able to get the financials adjusted yet to account for it... Oh well! Wife's work from home job is picking up speed pretty quickly, so we may have several thousand extra per month soon... Get debt paid off and then have fun on the truck! Probably buy a second one for the wife, too...

 

Nice Dave. Curt, u have to test for a leak with a mityvac kit. They cost bout 30 bucks or so but they will work. U can get it from harbor freight. I got mine there too, but I'm guilty of not using it yet. Still in packaging. My 4x4 blows thru defrosts when I switch it on. Lol. I guess I'll get to it when the next dancing girl serves me some straight Tennessee whiskey.

 

I dont have the defroster issue, so maybe just sticking? Im going to get
the kit & try to rebuild them...

 

For mine, it might be my vacuum pump gone out or my pulse vacuum solenoid went out, or even a leak in the lines. I know my ABS light comes on from time to time randomly. I will have to replace the front 2 ABS sensors. Test my lines. Then see wat else.

 

You're getting careless with your "h"s again, Snuggy! I'm seeing them sneak in!

So I guess consensus is it's probably in my best interest to pick up the seal kit and rebuild the hubs? I'll have to add that to my February work list, I guess... this month is another tire and next month is the last tire...

 

Dave, sounds like it. If u had a leak or the vacuum pump was busted, u would have ac blowing thru ur defrost already. Since it sounds like a sound thing, it might be a ring in there might be worn out. BTW, make sure it ain't ur brake pads too.