Whining noise in front end while driving after disengaging 4x4.

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Jun 26, 2020 | 07:37 AM

Evan Stallings

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Whining noise in front end while driving after disengaging 4x4.

I have a 2005 F-150 Lariat 4x4 with a 5.4L engine. Lately I have noticed a whining noise coming from the front end which is consistent with vehicle speed. This noise seems to go away over time, but will return after I use the four wheel drive. I feel there is some gear or motor which is not fully disengaging when 4x4 is turned off. Is anyone familiar with this shift- on- the- fly system, and could suggest what component I should inspect?
Thanks!

Jun 26, 2020 | 07:54 AM

seville009

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Manually lock both hubs, leave it in 2wd, and drive it. If you hear the whine, I’d suggest servicing the locking hubs.

Jun 26, 2020 | 11:06 AM

Evan Stallings

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Thanks for responding. I do not know how to "manually" engage the hubs. There is a dial on my dash with the options 2W, 4W, and 4W low. Can servicing the hubs be done by a home mechanic? I have a Haynes manual, but it offers little information about servicing the hubs. I would like to zero in on the the culprit, and either fix or replace. i feel the whine may have something to do with the Electric shift motor not functioning properly.
Thanks for any advice.

Jun 26, 2020 | 12:41 PM

seville009

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Kneel down next to the front wheel and look straight at the center. You will see a **** that says “auto” and “lock”. Yours should be on “auto”. Just rotate it to “lock” (it doesn’t turn far).

Do the same with the other front wheel.

Now both front tires are locked and will turn the front axle when moving.

When you are done, turn both back to “auto”.

When they are set to “auto”, the hubs will automatically (hence “auto”) lock to the front axle so that when you engage 4wd, the front driveshaft turns the front axle and, in turn, the front tires.

If the auto locking system fails, you can bypass the failure by manually locking the front hubs as described at the beginning. Basically, if your front hubs are not locked, then you won’t have 4wd.

this older thread has a good explanation

https://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/1...explained.html

Jun 26, 2020 | 01:04 PM

Evan Stallings

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I'm sorry, but there are no locking ***** on my front rims. Only wheels and a small cover over the lug nut.

Jun 26, 2020 | 01:44 PM

seville009

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Ok. sorry - I thought you had an F250 for some reason.

Only thing I can suggest is have a mechanic look at it. Might end up bring something simple.

Jul 5, 2020 | 11:27 PM

77&79F250

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From: S/W Missouri, Polk county

Usually the elec shift motor works or it doesn't. And you can get it into 4wd or not. I have never heard of it hanging up....does not mean it can't happen. Thy this next time you are done using 4wd. Stop the truck, shift in to 2wd, and back up about 15 ft. See is that might remedy the problem until you can get a shop to look at it.