4x4 engage issue ?
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Freshman User
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4x4 engage issue ?
I'm considering buying a 1998 ford f150 4x4 auto tranny 4x4 shift on the floor. Issue: the present owner told me that the 4x4 works but needs to "roll" ahead app. 10' before actually engaging. it won't engage at a stand still. Now I'm not all that familar with 4x4's but this just does not sound right to me.
Laughing Gas
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 1,098
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From: Minnesota
My old 98 locks in right away...maybe needs to move a few inches ...but not 10'. I assume it does not have some type of hub type locks you need to turn also? I guess I would see if the fork in the front diff. is a little sticky..or slow to engage?
Laughing Gas
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 1,098
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From: Minnesota
Probably no to both. Read up on how the 4x4 locks in for the front diff. It's vacuum operated and actually pretty simple how it moves the fork. It gets gummed up from the outside sometimes, and just spraying it down with WD or such cleans it up so it can move freely.
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Freshman User
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Well got the truck home I believe it's a lubrication issue. I got the 4x4 to engage while sitting still. I think buddy wasn't just hitting it right. I pretty well have to pull on the 4x4 shift with both hands to move it, easy to jump from 2H to neutral and miss 4H. Gonna load the WD40 to it tomorrow, work it back and forth and see what happens.
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Elder User
Joined: Sep 2013
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Nooooo WD40 is not a lubricant its a penitent. Many people dont consider that. Use a spray on lub like dirt bike chain oil. Or just motor oil and a Qtip. I have had to rebuild my front end to get the 4x4 working. What it sounds like is that its the vacuum activated actuator on the front axle where it puts it fron 2wd to 4wd by locking in the front drive shafts. Mine was reallly dirty and had old mud inside which made it turn very slowly. Best way is too disconnect the vacuum lines and work that lever back and forth thats on the actuator and get that crap out or get it moven again. And also check to see if its getting a good vacuum
Or there is a ring gear that connects the 2 drive shafts. That may be lacking gear oil and is sticking or the teeth have been nicked but that would be pretty unlikely. Hope this helpd message me if u need further help good luck
Or there is a ring gear that connects the 2 drive shafts. That may be lacking gear oil and is sticking or the teeth have been nicked but that would be pretty unlikely. Hope this helpd message me if u need further help good luck
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Freshman User
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Ok scratch the WD40 lol PL100 ?, liquid wrench ? AnywayI just bought the truck home last night and just playing around with it for 15 - 20 minutes this is what I found. Tranny in neutral, pull the 4x4 shifter back to 4H, with a fair amount of force, put the tranny in D and no 4x4. Put tranny back in N and with some diificultity ease the 4x4 shift back a hair or two and the 4x4 engages. I think buddy was just pulling the shifter back until the 4x4 light came on and the lever wasn't quite in position, as I mentioned I found it very easy to pull the 4x4 shifter from 2H right back to N. See what happens after I spary some lube on the linkage and whatnot and get the shifter moving more freely.
Laughing Gas
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 1,098
Likes: 11
From: Minnesota
Just get stuff moving easily....if it is caked with mud, then water based. If it is oily and stiff then Wd 40, liquid wrench....anything like that....will cut it and get it moving. Then just let it dry or wipe off as much as you can. Then just follow up on any pivots with oil. Just don't spray a lubricant over the top of something that is dirty...clean it first. It's like dielectric grease on dirty contacts....you just make it worse.
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Freshman User
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Well I got the lever moving more freely and 4x4 will engage without moving the truck. It's very touchy as far as 4H goes. Sometimes it will "slip" out of 4H even though the 4x4 indicator is still lite up on the dash.
Elder User
Joined: Sep 2013
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Thats the chain lub with wax. i always use the nonwax stuff. It foams up and penetrates the lub. iv used it on lug nuts brake calipers and what not great stuff and as far as it slipping out. That means theres so loose linkage in the T case or your shifter has some restriction on it
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The shifter is still quite hard to move. I can't get under the truck to see what I'm doing. I tried ramps but I kinda overshot them, folding my ramps up like an accodian and getting hung up hi & dry on top of them in the process damaging both rockers I might add. Winter here and was trying to get the truck on ramps on snow covered surface, opps lol.