4x4 engagment hard
Thread Starter
|
New User
Joined: Feb 2016
Posts: 5
Likes: 0
4x4 engagment hard
I've been having this issue in my 97 F250 4x4 for the past year. The 4x4 engagement is delayed and sometimes very hard. Lever works fine. 4x4 light comes right on. I'll think it's in 4x4 and slightly accelerate and BAM! the front end thumps something fierce. I'm I doing damage? It also seems to be more difficult to turn in four wheel mode than I recall it being. It's an extended cab log bed. Do you guys recommend that I clean the hubs? They are auto locking hubs. I took it to the shop and he said everything is fine, but I don't have a tremendous amount of faith in his work/skills.
-john
-john
Lead Driver
Joined: Oct 2003
Posts: 8,476
Likes: 37
From: Madison, WI
^^^^ +1; cleaning the auto-lockers MIGHT help the centrifugal gizmo in them engage more smoothly, if there's even a way to clean them (sorry, I forget; haven't had them in a long time). But manual hubs are the way to go; convert and you'll never look back.
Lead Driver
Joined: Oct 2003
Posts: 8,476
Likes: 37
From: Madison, WI
We converted both our trucks to manual hubs, and stooopid me, I only retained one old set of the autos. If I had both, I'd give you a set to try cleaning or rebuilding. Maybe someone on one of the forum sites has a set to sell or even give away for the price of shipping. Or try a nearby 4x4 shop; they probably have piles of them from conversions they've done. That'll give you a set to play with and a set to drive on.
Trending Topics
Logistics Pro
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 4,580
Likes: 839
From: knoxville, tn
I understand the affinity for the auto hubs but manual hubs are certainly more reliable. Which is one of the reasons why most people replace them
FTE Stories
Ford Trucks for Ford Truck Enthusiasts
Top 10 Most Expensive Ford Trucks Ever Sold on Bring a Trailer
Joe Kucinski
2027 Ford Super Duty Buyer's Guide (Every Model, Engine, & Package)
Brett Foote
Top 10 Ford Truck Tragedies
Joe Kucinski
AEV FXL Super Duty - the Super Duty Raptor Ford Doesn't Make
Brett Foote
Lobo Vs Lobo: Proof the F-150 Lobo Should Be Even Lower!
Michael S. Palmer
Ford's 2001 Explorer Sportsman Concept Looks For a New Home
Verdad Gallardo
10 Best Ford Truck Engines We Miss the Most!
Joe Kucinski
2026 Shelby F-150 Off-Road: Better Than a Raptor R?
Brett Foote
2027 Super Duty Carhartt Package First Look: 12 Things You NEED to Know!
Michael S. Palmer
Hotshot
Joined: Jan 2012
Posts: 11,132
Likes: 3
From: Southern West Virginia
A good friend of mine, and also a member on here, also loved the auto hubs. He has grenaded his second set, and is now looking for a spindle, which is very expensive and hard to find, because the last grenade of the auto hub trashed his spindle. I have never had any faith in them myself, but that's just me. A lot of people really like them, but they aren't worth the damage they can do to me. Locking hubs for me are the only way to go, but again, this is just my opinion. 
Hotshot
Joined: Jan 2012
Posts: 11,132
Likes: 3
From: Southern West Virginia
I've had good luck with Warn hubs.
Cargo Master
Joined: Jun 2010
Posts: 2,113
Likes: 4
From: Iowa
That sounds normal for auto hubs in my experience 
, check the front end u-joints when you install the manual hubs, a bad u-joint will increase the engagement thunk and can cause steering issues in 4x4.
, check the front end u-joints when you install the manual hubs, a bad u-joint will increase the engagement thunk and can cause steering issues in 4x4.
Thread Starter
|
New User
Joined: Feb 2016
Posts: 5
Likes: 0
4x4 issue
I played around a bit more with the truck and the 4wd. I feel like the hubs lock because sharp steering is difficult, but when the wheel is turned and there is some slight acceleration I get a big thump. Today, I got a thump when I was turning right under acceleration and at a later time, when I was turning sharp left under acceleration. Then, I straightened the truck out and traveled for about 200 feet and removed the 4wd. At that point, I heard a humming that corresponded to the speed of the truck. I'm not convinced it's the hubs, but don't know what else it could be.
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
Barehuggs
Pre-Power Stroke Diesel (7.3L IDI & 6.9L)
34
Jan 31, 2007 08:31 AM