4x4 Not Engaging Correctly
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From: azle texas
4x4 Not Engaging Correctly
When engaging the 4x4 on my 17 f550 sometimes it will make a loud clunk when I step on the throttle. The steering is almost impossible when engaged. There is only about 5k on the truck. It sure sounds bad. have any of you guys experienced this?
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The load clunk may be it reaching 4wd or the hubs lining up and locking in. Stay off the throttle until 4wd is fully engaged. You might want to consider manually locking the hubs in to see if that makes a difference. Did you select 4wd at a dead stop? Sometimes it'll clunk in when you get moving again.
Steering is tight in 4wd because you should take the truck out of 4wd to make tight turns when traction is too much. Turning on a grippy surface will make the truck hop and start eating driveline components. Also if you're in thick slop and the front tires are pulling, the 4wd will tend to pull the truck and the wheel straight. Generally, if the steering is offensive, I don't need to be in 4wd.
Steering is tight in 4wd because you should take the truck out of 4wd to make tight turns when traction is too much. Turning on a grippy surface will make the truck hop and start eating driveline components. Also if you're in thick slop and the front tires are pulling, the 4wd will tend to pull the truck and the wheel straight. Generally, if the steering is offensive, I don't need to be in 4wd.
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From: azle texas
Yes I engage 4x4 correctly and gave it ample time to engage. Even put it in gear and let it roll a few feet before giving it any throttle. The first time I ever engaged 4x4 it was done on the hubs and inside and yes it did it then also. No tight turns as the steering did not want to turn, I did not force it.
The load clunk may be it reaching 4wd or the hubs lining up and locking in. Stay off the throttle until 4wd is fully engaged. You might want to consider manually locking the hubs in to see if that makes a difference. Did you select 4wd at a dead stop? Sometimes it'll clunk in when you get moving again.
Steering is tight in 4wd because you should take the truck out of 4wd to make tight turns when traction is too much. Turning on a grippy surface will make the truck hop and start eating driveline components. Also if you're in thick slop and the front tires are pulling, the 4wd will tend to pull the truck and the wheel straight. Generally, if the steering is offensive, I don't need to be in 4wd.
Steering is tight in 4wd because you should take the truck out of 4wd to make tight turns when traction is too much. Turning on a grippy surface will make the truck hop and start eating driveline components. Also if you're in thick slop and the front tires are pulling, the 4wd will tend to pull the truck and the wheel straight. Generally, if the steering is offensive, I don't need to be in 4wd.
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Joined: Sep 2011
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From: Minnesota
My 2011 F350 did that nearly every time I engaged 4x4 with one of the hubs. I can’t remember which lockout did it, I think it was the left side but can’t remember. It was a very loud clunk and would swear that it would break every time it engaged but it lasted nearly 200,000 miles. It was on my work truck and that truck was in 4x4 every day multiple times a day. I’m not saying its right but mine did it and nothing happened in the life of that truck.
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From: azle texas
Yes it sounds as if something is going fall out from underneath the truck lol. Please dont revoke my man card but this is my first 4x4. Just because its my first 4x4 doesnt mean I am operating it wrong.
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Elder User
Joined: Sep 2011
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From: Minnesota
Most of the time I would feel the hub engage through the floor boards! It might be worth a trip to your dealer, I never took mine in though.
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