Need 4X4 help
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Need 4X4 help
Need 4X4 help
I have a 98 F150. I have been taking it on the beach, sand nearly every weekend for 5 years with no problems.[BTW I always air down to 18 PSI in sand.] Then, yesterday I had my first problem. After I backed up, she popped out of 4X4 Hi, even though my indicator light was still on I had no power in my front wheels. I could not reengage my four wheel drive. After I jacked my self out of the hole my rear tires had dug, I was able to engage my 4X4 low and drive off the beach under my own power. But it scared the sh#t out of me. Any ideas? Do I bring it to a transmission shop [like a Lee Miles], a Ford Dealership, or can my local mechanic handle some thing like this?
Thanks
Frank
I have a 98 F150. I have been taking it on the beach, sand nearly every weekend for 5 years with no problems.[BTW I always air down to 18 PSI in sand.] Then, yesterday I had my first problem. After I backed up, she popped out of 4X4 Hi, even though my indicator light was still on I had no power in my front wheels. I could not reengage my four wheel drive. After I jacked my self out of the hole my rear tires had dug, I was able to engage my 4X4 low and drive off the beach under my own power. But it scared the sh#t out of me. Any ideas? Do I bring it to a transmission shop [like a Lee Miles], a Ford Dealership, or can my local mechanic handle some thing like this?
Thanks
Frank
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From: N. Florida - The "No 4x4
I may be mistaken, but I believe you have those automatic hubs. . . . The plastic ones. (that should be a clue where this is headed!).
. . if you are really lucky it is simply a matter of needing lubrication.
As for who to do it; whoever you can find with -explicit- experience in Ford 98> front differentials. THEY ARE DIFFERENT.
. . oh, and they have o-rings and stuff that "must" be replaced upon disassembly. I do not know whther they are a dealer item (only) for your truck or not.
Sorry I couldn't be of more help, but I own your trucks little brother - the Ranger.
. . if you are really lucky it is simply a matter of needing lubrication.
As for who to do it; whoever you can find with -explicit- experience in Ford 98> front differentials. THEY ARE DIFFERENT.
. . oh, and they have o-rings and stuff that "must" be replaced upon disassembly. I do not know whther they are a dealer item (only) for your truck or not.
Sorry I couldn't be of more help, but I own your trucks little brother - the Ranger.
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Ok, so I had my 4X4 serviced by my local long time mechanic who I’ve dealt with for 20+ years. It seams like I snapped one of the teeth or forks that engage the gears within the transfer case. So my problem was not with the auto hubs. Now I was thinking of changing to manual hubs for some piece of mind. But if I’m breaking gears within the transfer case, should I even bother?
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Both of the trucks I own see at least a decent amount of off road ( the decent being my wifes) and the alot being mine. They each had the auto hubs, I bought the Warn hub lockers. I snapped one the first day in my truck ( it was used and apparently 4X was never locked in) anyways the hubs (plastic) are a weak part of the drive line. It could have been one of a hundred stupid little things that snapped your t case. I always look at it like this, talk and read alot to figure out the most common weak points in your drive line (ie u joints, stock hubs etc) and up grade. U joints and hubs are cheap, and its nice to have a piece of mind knowing that its just a little stronger. Because lets face it, if something is going to break, it is going to do it when you are in front of a crowd or showing off.
Post Fiend
Joined: Jun 2002
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From: Atlanta GA
I really do not think a tooth broke inside the transfer case unless you are holding it in your hand.
You do not have a gear driven transfer case and the chain used to slide between the gear rails is no way close to being stronger than the gears. The gears inside your transfer case are not simple big toothed sprockets with a chain running between them.
I think the most likely thing is the switch on the transfer case got jammed. So, it was lit on the dashboard, because you had not moved the switch on the dash, but, it had been popped out of 4hi on the transfer case. The switch is usually on the left side, front, high part of the transfer case,
You do not have a gear driven transfer case and the chain used to slide between the gear rails is no way close to being stronger than the gears. The gears inside your transfer case are not simple big toothed sprockets with a chain running between them.
I think the most likely thing is the switch on the transfer case got jammed. So, it was lit on the dashboard, because you had not moved the switch on the dash, but, it had been popped out of 4hi on the transfer case. The switch is usually on the left side, front, high part of the transfer case,
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I realy don’t understand how the transfer case on the F150 works, I wish I could look at a schematic.
As far as the switch goes…If it was the trouble. Is that why I would I hear a loud pop or clunk when I put the truck in reverse? And then it would pop out of 4X4? I’m not a mechanic so I have to trust mine. [he is my cousin BTW]. I still don’t get why 4X LOW worked and not 4X HIGH.
I’ve asked him for a quote on the Warn Manual hubs. How much should I expect to pay?
I really want to trust my 4X4 again. The distance out to the point through the dunes is about 2 miles through deep sand. [No way in hell you could get a tow truck out there!]
As far as the switch goes…If it was the trouble. Is that why I would I hear a loud pop or clunk when I put the truck in reverse? And then it would pop out of 4X4? I’m not a mechanic so I have to trust mine. [he is my cousin BTW]. I still don’t get why 4X LOW worked and not 4X HIGH.
I’ve asked him for a quote on the Warn Manual hubs. How much should I expect to pay?
I really want to trust my 4X4 again. The distance out to the point through the dunes is about 2 miles through deep sand. [No way in hell you could get a tow truck out there!]
Postmaster
Joined: Feb 2003
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From: Muskegon, MI (home)
Your 98 does not have manual hubs, nor can it be equipped with them. Your truck has what is called a "CAD" Central Axle Disconnent system. There is a thermal/vacuum activated switch mounted on your front axle, this disconnects the front differential from the drive axles. You mentioned you were able to get the truck into low range and get out under your own power. If that is the case the problem does not lie in the front axle, it's the electrical part of the transfer case. My guess would be, the switch motor to engage 4wd might have some sand or debris in it, or it might have failed and now need to be replaced. The transfer case is more than likely okay and not the source of the problem, those things are hard to break! Your mechanic should be able diagnose the problem and fix it, it doesn't seem all that severe.
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Postmaster
Joined: Feb 2003
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From: Muskegon, MI (home)
Suggestion!
You might try also running 10-15 psi in your tires instead of 18. I usually run around 12psi when I go out to run the dunes. Most of the time I only need 2wd!
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Went out to “test” my four wheel repair this weekend. I’m getting seriously frustrated. The 4X4 seemed to work fine the first couple of hours. But, Now, my front hubs are not locking whether I’m in High or Low. I’m gonna bring her back in after Thanksgiving. I am getting super pissed off. As far as converting my auto hubs to manual… are you saying they cannot be converted? [1998 F-150. Thanks again
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From: Senoia, GA
Originally posted by Pkupman82
Your 98 does not have manual hubs, nor can it be equipped with them. Your truck has what is called a "CAD" Central Axle Disconnent system. There is a thermal/vacuum activated switch mounted on your front axle, this disconnects the front differential from the drive axles.
Your 98 does not have manual hubs, nor can it be equipped with them. Your truck has what is called a "CAD" Central Axle Disconnent system. There is a thermal/vacuum activated switch mounted on your front axle, this disconnects the front differential from the drive axles.
-jason-
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I just went through this same crap you are with my 1991 Bronco. Please list in detail what is happening when you hit your 4x4 button. I can more than likely help you get your 4x4 fixed for under $100.00!!!
P.S. When you hit your 4x4 button listen for any clicking. Let me know if you do.
P.S. When you hit your 4x4 button listen for any clicking. Let me know if you do.
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4X4
Yea, it didn’t seem to do this during it’s first failure but now when I shift the lever on the floor in to 4X4 HI or LOW some times I get a clicking sound; kinda’ like when you used to put playing cards in the spokes on your bicycle when you were a kid.
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