front wheels not engaging
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Mountain Pass
Joined: May 2012
Posts: 135
Likes: 7
front wheels not engaging
1997 F250HD 7.3 Turbodiesel 4x4 pretty sure the front wheels are not engaging even though the shifter pulls to position and the indicator shows 4X4. Also unable to put the front differential to neutral, It wont push down as a result it wont pull into 4x4 low. Any ideas as to where to begin?
Lead Driver
Joined: May 2011
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How do you know the front wheels aren't powered when in 4x4? As said above, manual or auto hubs?
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Mountain Pass
Joined: May 2012
Posts: 135
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auto hubs, recently replaced,to put in neutral then to low, with engine running I move to 4x4, then shift transmission to N, push down to move front end to neutral then to 4x4 low then move column to drive with intent that I can go forward. This is not working, I have tried with truck key off transmission in Park but unable to push down and with truck key off transmission selector to N still cannot push down and move to neutral
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Mountain Pass
Joined: May 2012
Posts: 135
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correct transfer case, auto hubs, first off I used to be able to feel a distinct change in the steering, I needed the front wheels today to help pull a tractor and bush hog out (I have done this many times in the past) could not get up a hill with 2wd so pulled it into 4wd and no change rear wheels spun and cannot explain just knew from experience the front wheels never engaged (I was screwed) to troubleshoot I attempted to move to 4x4 LOW, could not get there like I said I simply could not push the transfer shifter down. Crawled under truck and the shifter is moving to the 4x4 detent, the indicator light comes on, but front auto hubs never engaged so the front tires were not available to pull the truck up the hill through very wet grass.
Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Nov 2016
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Did the front driveshaft spin when the rear wheels spun? If by yourself,in park and transfer case in 4 high or 4 low. Engine off for safety,see if the front driveshaft can be spun by hand. If you can spin it by hand then the case is not engaging 4wd. If it does not spin by hand then the hubs or even 1 of the hubs did not engage
i ain't rite
Joined: Mar 2005
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From: Marlboro Mental Hospital.
are they full auto hubs, or manual locking hubs?
if they have the manual lock ability try locking them and see if it will go into 4X4.
if it does, you have no vacuum going to the hubs to lock them.
if full auto, again i would suspect lack of vacuum to the hubs.
as for not being able to put the t-case shifter into neutral or 4 low, these shifters seize from lack of use.
DO NOT FORCE IT!!!
the shifter assemble is fragile and will brake if forced.
it will need to be removed from the truck, disassembled, cleaned , greased, reassembled, and reinstalled in the truck.
if they have the manual lock ability try locking them and see if it will go into 4X4.
if it does, you have no vacuum going to the hubs to lock them.
if full auto, again i would suspect lack of vacuum to the hubs.
as for not being able to put the t-case shifter into neutral or 4 low, these shifters seize from lack of use.
DO NOT FORCE IT!!!
the shifter assemble is fragile and will brake if forced.
it will need to be removed from the truck, disassembled, cleaned , greased, reassembled, and reinstalled in the truck.
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Mountain Pass
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they are full auto hubs, vacuum?? always wondered what made them lock, can you explain, where do they pull vacuum from?
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From: Ottawa, Ontario
I think you have 2 separate problems, possibly improperly installed hubs and a partially seized t-case shifter.
DO NOT force the shifter or you will break it, remove the whole linkage from the truck, dismantle, clean and lubricate.
On these trucks auto hubs lock when driven by the drive axles, no vacuum involved. Once locked they stay that way until the t-case is put into 2wd and the vehicle is moved in the opposite direction. That locking action is also why this hub style is so often broken, get the truck stuck and select reverse to try and get out and the hubs can unlock and/or get slammed back into lock under power.. resulting in a stripped hub.
DO NOT force the shifter or you will break it, remove the whole linkage from the truck, dismantle, clean and lubricate.
On these trucks auto hubs lock when driven by the drive axles, no vacuum involved. Once locked they stay that way until the t-case is put into 2wd and the vehicle is moved in the opposite direction. That locking action is also why this hub style is so often broken, get the truck stuck and select reverse to try and get out and the hubs can unlock and/or get slammed back into lock under power.. resulting in a stripped hub.
Lead Driver
Joined: Feb 2013
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From: Roseville, MN
A '97 F-250HD (which he said he has) wouldn't have the vacuum operated automatic hubs, would it? I thought those were a '99 - SuperDuty thing (and maybe the '97 - '98 F-150/F-250, but that's not an F-250HD)
Lead Driver
Joined: Feb 2013
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From: Roseville, MN
I know, but mine has manual hubs. I'm about 98% sure that the only auto hubs offered on the '97 F-250HD (and F-350) was the strictly mechanical type that was offered through the '80s and '90s, and that the vacuum operated ones came later, at least on the heavier pickups.
Logistics Pro
Joined: May 2017
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From: Southern OH
I know, but mine has manual hubs. I'm about 98% sure that the only auto hubs offered on the '97 F-250HD (and F-350) was the strictly mechanical type that was offered through the '80s and '90s, and that the vacuum operated ones came later, at least on the heavier pickups.
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Mountain Pass
Joined: May 2012
Posts: 135
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Thanks for follow up there is no vacuum and I am confidant the hubs are properly installed. With that said I am relatively sure I will go ahead and install manual hubs. What name and model does this group recommend?