Need help!!! After having ball joint work done on my 86 F250, 4X4 I tried to engage the 4X4, but the front wheels won't engage.
I locked the front wheels and engaged to transfer case. The drive shaft from the transfer case to the front differential turns, but the axles up front don't turn. Could they have pulled the front axles when they replaced the ball joints and re-installed them wrong? As a carpenter I'm lost when it comes to metal objects. Also this thing has a terrible oil leak somewhere towards the rear of the engine that causes oil to leak onto the exhaust pipes which inturn makes a lot of smoke. I'm going outside now to try and locate the leak. Any help would be appreciated.

thanks

woodguy

 

sounds like one of the hubs didn't get put together right. put your tcase in neutral, block your wheels, and lock your hubs in. go underneath your front wheels and try to turn the axle shaft where the u-joint is. if it turns, that means that your hub isn't locking. if it doesn't, your hub is locked in.

 

your oil leak could be a couple things first clean the back of the engine and check the intake manifold gasket , if it's not that your rear oil seal is the culpret. if it's the rear seal you should change the PCV valve if that does'nt fix it check your engines compresion raito if it's to low you could have blow by past your piston rings which will push oil out the seal also check the breather filter it could be oil soaked. you still might have to change the oil seal.

 

bremen & squid,
I did clean off everything underneath and behind the engine tranny and tcase. Will go out now and try your advice. Will let you know what happens.
thanks
woodguy

 

bremen & squid,

I think I found the oil problem. There was a small hole in the oil pan, up towards the top. I put some JB weld on it and it looks like it's holding. I also changed the PVC valve, but it doesn't look like the rear seal was leaking.

I tried locking the hubs in and the axles wouldn't turn. It must be in the front differential where the problem lies as far as not being able to engage the 4X4. Does anyone have an idea as to what might be the problem there?

thanks

woodguy

 

did you check the linkage on the transfer case? mine had the plastic grommet that holds in on fall apart--put wire on the pin to hold it in place. Then had to go from neutral to drive couple of times while trying to engage--finally went in.

 

The transfer case engages because the front drive shaft will turn, but the front axles won't turn along with the drive shaft even when I lock the hubs. It worked fine before I let them change the ball joints. The shop said they didn't do anything to effect the 4X4, but for $1500 they'll fix it. I don't know what the heck to do.

thanks anyway buddy

woodguy

 

they didn't put the locking hubs back together right. Make them fix that---or search for a pic that shows how the parts go back together and do it yourself.

 

Thanks Trampus, but the hubs must be okay as I stated earlier I can't spin the front axle by hand when I lock the hubs. The front driveshaft and the front axles are not connecting. When I engage the tcase the front drive shaft turns without turning the front axles, even with the hubs locked. I wish you were right. Isn't that something? I figure it's something in the differential, wouldn't you? I'm lost and diggin into the differential is something I haven't messed with before. I've done the hubs before myself. I had to buy a special tool and study hard, but I handled it. Can anyone figure this one out. I will dig into the differential if someone can tell me what to look for or if someone has had this problem before and can give me a hint.

thanks again Trampus

woodguy

 

you say you can turn the front drive shaft is this with the transfer case in neutral? unlock both hubs pick up the front end of the truck so both front wheels are off the ground lock in each hub and spin the wheels make sure both hubs are locked if one is unlocked the driveshaft will spin now with both hubs locked in spin the front driveshaft one wheel will turn one direction the other should turn the otherway or stay still depending how tight your brakes are to much or to heavy grease will sometimes keep your hub from locking completely this why isay to lift the front off the ground to make sure the hub is locked if after all this the front end still doesn't work its time to look in the diff that means
pulling both hubs, rotors, calipers,spindles, axelsand the diff from rear of axle and look for a broken gear

 

Hey thanks plowpusher, will give it a shot in the morning. It's Saturday night...........know what I mean? Doin some beers here.
Let you know monyana.

woodguy

 

my guess is if you pull off the lockout and take out the little retaining screw, they probably put the locking ring with the teeth on the outside and not the inside. (half of the outside has teeth the other half is smooth). there will be a spring behind that gear (not high pressure, just thought i'd warn you).

 

Bremen 242 and plowpusher,

I've done all of the above......now it's time to get into the front differential.....I guess. With the front wheels off the ground and the hubs locked;

a) I can turn one wheel and the other turns in the opposite direction.

b) I can turn the front axles and the front drive shaft doesn't turn.

what's you diagnosis? Differential?

woodguy

 

ummmm....i think if it were your front diff then you would definitely know. There is no room in there for any mistakes and if there was a a mistake thee would be a lot of grinding!

First the pinion connects to the ring gear and there would be mucho grindo.
Then the spider gears on the side of the carrier which would more than likely lock up your entire front end.
Then you have your axle splines which had better not have any play in it whatsoever or you are looking at a timebomb begging to go off.

If i were you I would replace your front hubs (good excuse to get new ones ) and then if that doesn't help focus on the t-case. As with the t-case i know absolutely jack about it so i will be of no help...but i pull the front/rear diff's when i change my diff oil so i am pretty good at it.

(sorry so long)

i am sure you have done this already but go out and jack up the whole truck front and rear. crank it and all and put it in 2x4 abd just your rear wheels should move...then put it in neutral and engage 4x4....if your hubs are locked your front tires should spin (one tire one way and the other tire the opposite way) here is the key.....if they don't spin get under your truck (enough to get a good look at everything don't lay completely up under it) and see where the movement stops. For instance, if your front driveshaft turns and your front axleshafts don't then it is your diff, if everything turns except your wheels...it's your hubs. I know i know it is very dangerous but take precautions and knwo what you are doing, i have done it many times and not had the first indcident.

Good luck and sorry it's so long.

-Jason-

 

what happens when you turned the front drive shaft?

if you turn the one wheel, the other wheel should turn the other way, and the drive shaft won't turn.