"Clunk" up front
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Senior User
Joined: Feb 2002
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"Clunk" up front
Right after starting the truck I get this "clunk" up front. I believe it is before putting it in gear, but I am not sure. I will have to check that tonight when I get home. I had to use 4WD this past weekend in a wet grassy parking lot and I had not heard the noise before then. I have searched through here and the Superduty Forum. Greasing the splines seems like the most common suggestion. Seems like if it is before the transmission gets involved it wouldn't be the driveshaft. Maybe I should go ahead with the transmission fluid flush now and have the driveshaft greased all at the same time. Any other reasonable possibilities?
What is the difference between having the hubs in Auto and Locked? I always thought with them in Auto 4WD will work, correct? In Locked they are always spinning even in 2WD. Am I correct.
What is the difference between having the hubs in Auto and Locked? I always thought with them in Auto 4WD will work, correct? In Locked they are always spinning even in 2WD. Am I correct.
Sit. Stay.
Joined: Oct 2001
Posts: 18,308
Likes: 20
From: Washington State
"Clunk" up front
>What is the difference between having the hubs in Auto and Locked?
Auto means they will automatically lock when you turn the dial on the dash.
You use Lock when
1. It fails to engage the hubs when you turn the dial.
2. If you are stuck; not in 4wd; and do not have the ability to roll forward to engage the auto hubs.
3. As a safety precaution/peace of mind when you KNOW that you'll be in an enviroment that will require use of the 4wd sustem.
>In Locked they are always spinning even in 2WD.
>Am I correct.
Correct.
As far as your sound... With your 4wd switch in 2wd mode, reach behind the wheel and try to spin the axle shaft. Sometimes these do not free up right away. If one or both are stuck, rotate the auto/lock dail on the hub back and forth, ending with it on Auto until you can freely move the axle shaft. My right one will stick sometimes. I have to go through that process to free it up.
Try that first. If the sound persist, let me know.
Auto means they will automatically lock when you turn the dial on the dash.
You use Lock when
1. It fails to engage the hubs when you turn the dial.
2. If you are stuck; not in 4wd; and do not have the ability to roll forward to engage the auto hubs.
3. As a safety precaution/peace of mind when you KNOW that you'll be in an enviroment that will require use of the 4wd sustem.
>In Locked they are always spinning even in 2WD.
>Am I correct.
Correct.
As far as your sound... With your 4wd switch in 2wd mode, reach behind the wheel and try to spin the axle shaft. Sometimes these do not free up right away. If one or both are stuck, rotate the auto/lock dail on the hub back and forth, ending with it on Auto until you can freely move the axle shaft. My right one will stick sometimes. I have to go through that process to free it up.
Try that first. If the sound persist, let me know.
Thread Starter
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Senior User
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"Clunk" up front
I don't hear the noise anymore and I made sure my hubs were in Auto. I couldn't get to the axle to see if it would spin, but will try to get to it tomorrow. I just don't want the sound to come back and end up needing a new driveshaft down the road. I will have it greased when I have the transmission serviced and see what they say. The thoughts of a new driveshaft made me cringe all day.
Thread Starter
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"Clunk" up front
>Same noise?
>
>The Manual says that a clunk or light thud (is an
>acceptable noise when putting the truck in reverse.
Yes same noise. I am hoping to get to do that transmission fluid change not too long from now so I'll have it looked at then. I read an old thread about you having a driveshaft replaced after hearing a noise up front. What were those circumstances?
>
>The Manual says that a clunk or light thud (is an
>acceptable noise when putting the truck in reverse.
Yes same noise. I am hoping to get to do that transmission fluid change not too long from now so I'll have it looked at then. I read an old thread about you having a driveshaft replaced after hearing a noise up front. What were those circumstances?
Sit. Stay.
Joined: Oct 2001
Posts: 18,308
Likes: 20
From: Washington State
"Clunk" up front
Jim,
I heard/felt the noise from the rear of the truck. It turned out to be a bad driveshaft. Although in hindsight, I bet a lube of the splines woulda cured the problem but alas I got a new updated driveshaft out of the "deal".
I still get an audible "click" when shifting into reverse and back again into drive. Not when I shift: but when I shift and THEN hit the gas. Something is unbinding. I detect no visible wear or damage being done, so I live with it. With almost 71K it hasn't goten worse...or better... :-)
I heard/felt the noise from the rear of the truck. It turned out to be a bad driveshaft. Although in hindsight, I bet a lube of the splines woulda cured the problem but alas I got a new updated driveshaft out of the "deal".
I still get an audible "click" when shifting into reverse and back again into drive. Not when I shift: but when I shift and THEN hit the gas. Something is unbinding. I detect no visible wear or damage being done, so I live with it. With almost 71K it hasn't goten worse...or better... :-)
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Senior User
Joined: Jul 2002
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From: baltimore USA
"Clunk" up front
Which way(with the hub in front of you) is Auto and Locked. All I can see is a dot, nothing else. I hear nothing so I assume its in auto.
Scott
Scott
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From: Mountaintop USA
"Clunk" up front
[updated:LAST EDITED ON 18-Nov-02 AT 09:24 PM (EST)]>Which way(with the hub in front of you) is Auto and Locked.
>All I can see is a dot, nothing else. I hear nothing so I
>assume its in auto.
>
>
>
> Scott
Scott, lock 'em clockwise, counterclockwise to unlock.....if they're manual hubs.
>All I can see is a dot, nothing else. I hear nothing so I
>assume its in auto.
>
>
>
> Scott
Scott, lock 'em clockwise, counterclockwise to unlock.....if they're manual hubs.
