Having problems with my four-wheel drive I turned it on and it was working fine then I went to turn it off and I heard chirping sound in one tire like it was lock up so I pulled over and put it in reverse and it stop doing it. what would cause that.i have automatic hubs.
thanks

 

could be a bad universal on a front axle.

 

Is there a way to check it to find out if that it?

 

what truck?
usually you can see the universals by looking into the knuckle behind the wheel.
with wheel jacked up and turned full lock, lock the hub and spin the wheel. if the u joint is dry/bad it will usually "catch" the wheel and stop it from spinning, or make it hard to spin when it binds up..

 

If we knew year of truck, trim level, you might get more help.

 

my issue is with my 2000 XLT F150 5.4 , 4x4
I recently did the vacuum line checks etc for the front axle actuator to engage , it does move the actuator, however my front axle doesn't engage into 4 Hi or Low , I've been trying to figure out why (I'm ashamed to admit it) for 1.5 years now, Could it be something inside the differential or what else may cause this?

 

sounds to me like the hubs are not unlocking. if you engage/disengage the 4wd while the driveline is in a bind (like turning) then the hubs will likely not release. i have always had the habit of getting the truck straight, engaging/disengaging 4wd, then back up just a tad to let the system do its thing. also, if you have had the front hubs apart to grease/service them it might be time to do so... that truck is 20 years old and the metal inside can get dry and sticky if not serviced occassionally.

 

I've never had the hubs apart, so i guess thats another starting point, i did however purchase a new solenoid for the front axle and have not installed it yet, it's been snowing here and temps below neg 10 here, i will get to it soon as my friend is working on his shop to clear enough room so i can nose in the truck and check things out in a warmer, dryer enviroment