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4x4 problem. Highboy.

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Old May 20, 2013 | 05:41 PM
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Question 4x4 problem. Highboy.

Hi guys, Ive got another issue. I finally have time to look into this....While playing around in the snow this winter I had my truck in 4hi and had a loud POP or PING! 4x4 hasn't worked since. What would you guys check for first?

Also my truck is registered as a 78 due to the body. The chassis was identified as a 73 or 74.


Thanks.
 
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Old May 20, 2013 | 06:06 PM
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I am assuming you have checked the obvious first. Drive shaft, u-joints, lockout hubs, checked for broken axle shaft. Does transfercase shifter still move. Need more info to trouble shoot. Could be internal in transfercase.
 
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Old May 20, 2013 | 06:18 PM
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X2

Where did the "POP" or "PING" noise originate?

T-case or axle? if i had to guess i'd suspect a broken u-joint or lockout.
 
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Old May 20, 2013 | 06:46 PM
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I haven't checked anything other than a quick visual of the driveline and u-joints. How would I check the lockouts and axle shafts? When it happened I would have said the noise came from just under the shifter but I'm not certain of that. The transfer case shifter still moves. Before I go looking into the transfer case I thought id try and rule some other stuff out. Would it be worth it to get the truck up off the ground and try and engage the 4 wheel drive to see if the drive line is turning? Or if the axle is turning? Or is there an easier way.
 
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Old May 20, 2013 | 07:39 PM
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Do you have a part time or full time transfer case? If its the part time case, you may have broke the chain inside the case.
 
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Old May 20, 2013 | 07:50 PM
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If possible get truck off the ground. Engage shifter to 4wd, then try spinning front wheels, should be able to identify any problems in the front end.
 
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Old May 20, 2013 | 08:25 PM
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I'm not sure if its part time or full time. How can I tell? If the chain is broke...Is that a common issue or am I just lucky? :-/ Of course the next question would be how tuff is that to fix? Ill get the truck up this week and check the front end. Thanks guys. I'll update you on what I find or don't find.
 
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Old May 20, 2013 | 09:24 PM
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T/C

do you have a tag on your T/C 205 part time ,,,203 full time This is a 205
 
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Old May 20, 2013 | 11:12 PM
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I will check that out and let you know. Thanks. I think it's a 205.
 
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Old May 23, 2013 | 01:36 PM
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So I went out today to check on a couple things. First thing was the u-joints. They are intact but look like I'll need to replace them soon. Next I grabbed the front driveline and tried to spin it. It does spin. That shouldn't be the case right? It makes me think that something's wrong in the front axle. Is that correct? All the wheels were on the ground the truck was in 2wd parked in gear. also check to see if there was a tag on the t-case and there was not. Also I went back out lock the hubs and still had the driveline spin. Sorry for all the edits....I went back out put the tc in 4l and 4hi and the driveline won't turn. 2hi it does. Should I open up the differential and check the gears? Thanks.
 
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Old May 23, 2013 | 01:53 PM
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With the hubs unlocked and the T-case in 2H the front driveshaft should spin by hand (it shouldn't spin in 4L or 4H).

If it still spins with the hubs locked then something is broken in the differential and/or hubs.

I'd pull the hubs and inspect for damage, if everything checks out there, pull the diff cover.
 
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Old May 23, 2013 | 02:32 PM
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Thanks. When I take the hubs apart what am I looking for. Broken gears? Should I buy any parts to replace while I'm in there? Do they have rebuild kits for these if there is something wrong. Sorry for all the questions. Im kind of new to the 4x4 scene. Never worked on hubs before.
 
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Old May 23, 2013 | 02:52 PM
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Your truck's a '78 with a '73/'74 chassis so i'm not sure if you have external or internal locking hubs, so I linked the service manuals for both.

You're looking for any obvious broken parts.... gears, springs, cams, pins, rings, *****, etc.

http://www2.dana.com/pdf/5306-1.pdf

http://www2.dana.com/pdf/5305.pdf
 
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Old May 23, 2013 | 04:06 PM
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If the look of the retaining **** are always the same then they are the internal hubs. I'll take one apart tonight. Thanks for the links.
 
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Old May 23, 2013 | 04:35 PM
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Ok I've got the drivers side apart. No noticeable broken parts yet. I'm down to the spring retainer plate. Do I need to go any further? The axle shaft that I can see is very loose or sloppy. Is that normal? Or does this mean I need wheel bearings?
Update. Ive taken both sides apart. No problems. Im heading for the differential next.
 
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