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Need help with 4wd engaging

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Old Aug 28, 2013 | 12:02 PM
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Need help with 4wd engaging

Hey guys, I'm a new member and I want to take a moment to thank all of the enthusiast on here for your knowledge and input.

I have a 2002 7.3l f350. I took it in to check the 4wd and my mechanic told me I needed both front hubs, ball joints and all the seals within the hubs. I just picked up truck and when I use esof only the passenger side auto locks and air goes into the defrost windshield. I know the pump is working because it locks/unlocks passenger side. But what's wrong with drivers side?

When I tried checking vac lines on drivers hub, one was not connected. After I connected it, same issue.

Any advice?
 
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Old Aug 28, 2013 | 12:37 PM
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From: Gilbert
4wd and defrost is indicative of a vacuum leak. Check your lines to the drivers side hub.

Welcome to FTE.
 
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Old Aug 28, 2013 | 12:43 PM
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Thank you, I was reading that. However, I was also reading that with hubs on "auto" and inside truck you select 4wd lo...only one front wheel really locks..? The only way to lock both front is to manually do it..?

Am i in left field with that info?
 
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Old Aug 28, 2013 | 03:29 PM
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Front driveshaft is an open differential type unit. So until you find the vacumn leak just turn the hubs to lock.

then use the switch and it will engage the transfer case so you have 4wd. Repair the leak and probably need to grease the hubs.
 
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Old Aug 28, 2013 | 04:56 PM
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With a vacuum I tested the hubs with the vacuum tester and both are sealed and hold vacuum, and now my questions

the driver's side hub won't unlock after vacuum testing..?

Abs light came on (mechanic changed hubs, ball joints and seals), did he do something wrong?

Should I replace the short hoses in back of the wheels and see if vacuum holds since the hubs are holding vac?

Thank you
 
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Old Aug 28, 2013 | 05:03 PM
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Originally Posted by carbon101585
Thank you, I was reading that. However, I was also reading that with hubs on "auto" and inside truck you select 4wd lo...only one front wheel really locks..? The only way to lock both front is to manually do it..?

Am i in left field with that info?
Yes, you're in left field. If working properly, both hubs should lock in 4H or 4L.
 
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Old Aug 28, 2013 | 05:12 PM
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Lock on the hubs is just an override should the "auto" fail.
 
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Old Aug 28, 2013 | 06:52 PM
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Thanks guys

the driver's side hub won't unlock after vacuum testing..?

Abs light came on (mechanic changed hubs, ball joints and seals), did he do something wrong?
 
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Old Aug 28, 2013 | 08:12 PM
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Originally Posted by carbon101585
Thanks guys

the driver's side hub won't unlock after vacuum testing..?

Abs light came on (mechanic changed hubs, ball joints and seals), did he do something wrong?
Based on what you're telling us, yes he did.
 
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Old Aug 28, 2013 | 08:16 PM
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sounds like a tear down of the suspect hub is in order to me too.
 
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Old Aug 30, 2013 | 12:06 PM
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Update: Mechanic changed solenoid for vacuum 4wd system and put back my old abs sensor (new one was faulty). Everything seems to be perfect now, thank all of you for your input, hopefully this thread serves as another guidance to someone else.

 
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Old Aug 31, 2013 | 09:40 AM
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as far as one front wheel locking in 4lo, yes and no. both hubs DO engage, but since it is still an open diff only 1 will spin. both will still produce torque
 
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