4 wheel drive not engaging
Thread Starter
|
Freshman User
Joined: Oct 2013
Posts: 38
Likes: 0
4 wheel drive not engaging
Went to plow our "dusting" last night that turned into 9 inches of snow when i went to put it in to four wheel the front hubs would not engage. Dash lights came on, front drive shaft spinning but did not spin the wheels. Any one with simualr problems or ideas what this could be? Suppose to get 1-2 inches tmw night ( who knows with these weather idiots) so i want to get it fixed quick. Thanks
Tuned
Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 343
Likes: 7
From: Arizona
Do you mean that when you try to turn the hub lock *****, they won't turn? I had that happen once. I think there must have been some condensation in the hub that froze. I drove it several miles to warm up the wheels, and then it worked.
Lead Driver
Joined: Feb 2013
Posts: 5,006
Likes: 72
From: Roseville, MN
I'm only familiar with Warn hubs, but I'd guess most others are similar. Warn hubs have a spring that loads the splined collar when you turn the dial, so the hub doesn't actually lock (or unlock) until the splines line up (or get unloaded for unlocking). This is actually a very nice feature because without it you wouldn't be able to turn the dial without getting everything lined up and unloaded, so you'd pretty much need to jack up each front tire to lock or unlock the hub.
So when you pull the hub apart look to see if there seems to be anything keeping the pring from doing what it's supposed to do, or keeping the splined collar from moving freely. You might be able to get the existing hubs working pretty easily and save yourselfe the time and expense of waiting for new hubs to arrive.
So when you pull the hub apart look to see if there seems to be anything keeping the pring from doing what it's supposed to do, or keeping the splined collar from moving freely. You might be able to get the existing hubs working pretty easily and save yourselfe the time and expense of waiting for new hubs to arrive.
Posting Guru
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 2,403
Likes: 4
From: Charlestown, RI
This right here. They may just need cleaning/lubing.
Trending Topics
Thread Starter
|
Freshman User
Joined: Oct 2013
Posts: 38
Likes: 0
FTE Stories
Ford Trucks for Ford Truck Enthusiasts
3 Best / Worst Features Of The 2025+ Ford Expedition
Brett Foote
10 Ways Ford is LOSING to the Competition
Joe Kucinski
Top 6 Best Deals Available on New Fords & Lincolns Right Now
Brett Foote
This Hennessey Takes the Expedition Tremor's Off-Roading Capability to the Next Level
Verdad Gallardo
Top 10 Fords at 2026 Carlisle Ford Nationals
Joe Kucinski
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
Lead Driver
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 5,670
Likes: 13
From: Sand Lake, MI
x3 on the hub manuals are pretty easy to fix, little cleaning little light lube is all they generally need.
That and it only takes one to render the front axle useless, one locks every time but if the other one does not no power to the ground up front.
Easy enough find out, lock both hubs move truck forward and back few feet give them opportunity to lock, the reach in with your hand behind wheel try spin drive axle to one wheel then the other. Odds are one will be locked can't spin it but the other just spins spins spins.
One needs service doesn't necessarily mean the other does too, quick test find out if need break the seal or not one that did lock. Unlock lock it rotate shaft, if it snaps in right away and does so every time its probably fine.
That and it only takes one to render the front axle useless, one locks every time but if the other one does not no power to the ground up front.
Easy enough find out, lock both hubs move truck forward and back few feet give them opportunity to lock, the reach in with your hand behind wheel try spin drive axle to one wheel then the other. Odds are one will be locked can't spin it but the other just spins spins spins.
One needs service doesn't necessarily mean the other does too, quick test find out if need break the seal or not one that did lock. Unlock lock it rotate shaft, if it snaps in right away and does so every time its probably fine.
Lead Driver
Joined: Feb 2013
Posts: 5,006
Likes: 72
From: Roseville, MN
Easy enough find out, lock both hubs move truck forward and back few feet give them opportunity to lock, the reach in with your hand behind wheel try spin drive axle to one wheel then the other. Odds are one will be locked can't spin it but the other just spins spins spins.
danr's method will work, this might be a little easier to do as it's easier to get a grip on the driveshaft than on the axles.
Lead Driver
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 5,670
Likes: 13
From: Sand Lake, MI
Or with both hubs locked and the t.case in 2wd try turning the front driveshaft. If you can't turn it both hubs are working. If you can turn it, look to see which side of the axle is turning (look at the U-joint in each steering knuckle). The side that's turning has the bad hub.
danr's method will work, this might be a little easier to do as it's easier to get a grip on the driveshaft than on the axles.
danr's method will work, this might be a little easier to do as it's easier to get a grip on the driveshaft than on the axles.
Yup that works too and if have a helper a minute to watch don't necessarily have to lay on the ground do it, reach behind wheel in spin front drive shaft have helper tell ya which axle spins with it.
I have long arms tend forget not everyone else does too, test such as I mentioned reach around the wheel might result in need to lay under one to do it!
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
motorcityhitman
1987 - 1996 F150 & Larger F-Series Trucks
2
Aug 11, 2002 09:07 AM