This forum is my last hope. 4x4 problem
#1
This forum is my last hope. 4x4 problem
I have a 01 ford excursion otherwise known as "my other baby" haha.
so, from the beginning there right auto hubs would not auto engage and was very hard to turn when putting it into 4x4. I had my truck looked over when I bought it and I was aware of a vacuum leak but didn't think it was a huge deal.
a good while after I had it, this noise came about that sounded like terrible grinding whinning gears. like my 4x4 is trying to engage while I'm driving with the switch in 2wd position.
take it to the shop
transfer case gets replace.
sound stops.
Was changing oil realized one of my vacuum lines was disconnected(almost looked cut) so I fixed it.
sounds starts up about a month later.
starts out faint and as the weeks go by its a grinding whinning mess.
take it to the shop they check and make sure everything looks okay from the outside, can't figure it out.
after removing both hubs I drove around. NO NOISE.
so at this point I'm baffeled.
Replace the hubs with manual hubs thinking it may be the stubborn one and the sound is there.
switch my switch to 4h and NO NOISE.
4x4 still works.
so now I'm confused along with anyone else I tell...
this forum is really my last hope before I spend a ton of money replacing everything...
where should I start or does anyone have a clue what the problem is?
p.s.
only does it while driving. can't jack it up and turn tires and hear it
does not matter the MPH RPMs or bumps.
nothing is loose.
so, from the beginning there right auto hubs would not auto engage and was very hard to turn when putting it into 4x4. I had my truck looked over when I bought it and I was aware of a vacuum leak but didn't think it was a huge deal.
a good while after I had it, this noise came about that sounded like terrible grinding whinning gears. like my 4x4 is trying to engage while I'm driving with the switch in 2wd position.
take it to the shop
transfer case gets replace.
sound stops.
Was changing oil realized one of my vacuum lines was disconnected(almost looked cut) so I fixed it.
sounds starts up about a month later.
starts out faint and as the weeks go by its a grinding whinning mess.
take it to the shop they check and make sure everything looks okay from the outside, can't figure it out.
after removing both hubs I drove around. NO NOISE.
so at this point I'm baffeled.
Replace the hubs with manual hubs thinking it may be the stubborn one and the sound is there.
switch my switch to 4h and NO NOISE.
4x4 still works.
so now I'm confused along with anyone else I tell...
this forum is really my last hope before I spend a ton of money replacing everything...
where should I start or does anyone have a clue what the problem is?
p.s.
only does it while driving. can't jack it up and turn tires and hear it
does not matter the MPH RPMs or bumps.
nothing is loose.
#2
So this noise seems like it is coming from the front hub and only happens when driving in 2WD and it is quiet while the hub is locked in in 4WD?
That sounds like it could be a bad needle bearing inside the unit bearing assembly. When driving in 2WD the front axle stub shaft sits still while the hub rotates, that's when the inner needle bearing is actually doing it's job. When the hub is locked in the stub shaft turns along with the hub so the needle bearing isn't having to do anything. Those needle bearings are serviceable/replaceable, however since this has been going on for a while there is the possibility that the stub shaft has been scored up and may need replacing.
This article goes over the needle bearing servicing. Welcome to guzzle's 4x4 Needle Bearing Maintenance Web Page
That sounds like it could be a bad needle bearing inside the unit bearing assembly. When driving in 2WD the front axle stub shaft sits still while the hub rotates, that's when the inner needle bearing is actually doing it's job. When the hub is locked in the stub shaft turns along with the hub so the needle bearing isn't having to do anything. Those needle bearings are serviceable/replaceable, however since this has been going on for a while there is the possibility that the stub shaft has been scored up and may need replacing.
This article goes over the needle bearing servicing. Welcome to guzzle's 4x4 Needle Bearing Maintenance Web Page
#3
Sounds like front hub bearings (aka unit bearings). Look here for some info, but he has an 04. Your truck will have "coarse thread" not "fine thread".
https://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/1...ing-at-me.html
https://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/1...ing-at-me.html
#4
Sounds like front hub bearings (aka unit bearings). Look here for some info, but he has an 04. Your truck will have "coarse thread" not "fine thread".
https://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/1...ing-at-me.html
https://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/1...ing-at-me.html
Wouldn't a bad or failing unit bearing make the grinding noise regardless if in 4WD or not? Just asking, I haven't had the pleasure to deal with either unit or needle bearing on my EX yet.
#5
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