Got an '06 Powerstroke F250 4x4 with manual locking hubs and floor shifter transfer case. My problem is that when I lock the hubs and put in in either 4H or 4L, the front axle doesn't engage. And I know the hubs work because I can't free hand turn them when engaged and they spin freely when disengaged. Any ideas?

 

sounds like the transfer case is bad.






























or someone removed the front driveshaft.

 

leave hubs un locked, lock in T case and ease forward have someone watch to see if Drive shaft spins, and if the front axles spin, if they do put T case in 2wd and lock hubs in ease forward have someone watch to see if both axles and the drive shaft turns, then report back with findings.

 

Well this isn't my first 4x4. The drives shaft is there. And it does engage when put into 4H or 4L. I know this because when in engaged I can't hand turn the shaft. When put back in 2H it spins freely, so I know that it's engaging and disengaging like it's supposed to. We tried backing up a ton while engaged to see if it'd loosen something up and lock in (hubs were locked) and came up negative. I'm thinking something in the differential busted but only a few times has this truck been off road considering it's a daily driver and only vehicle.

 

Pop the cover off and see if spider gears are busted.

 

I'd try all the simple things before opening up the diff. Maybe you already have and it's just that I don't have the whole picture. If so, the diff sounds like the next thing.

But first I'd check out the t.case. I know you've already done that, your last post describes that well. I just wanted to include it here for completeness.

Next the hubs. You say you know the hubs work because you can't "free hand turn them when engaged and they spin freely when disengaged." I'm not sure what you mean by that.

What I'd do is put the transfer case in 2wd, lock both hubs and try to turn the driveshaft by hand. If you can't turn it then the hubs (and differential) are good. If you can turn the driveshaft, then look at the U-joints in the steering knuckles. Is either one of them turning? If yes, then the hub on that side isn't locking. If neither is turning then something's not right in the axle.