Locked driveshaft
Thread Starter
|
Trailering
Joined: Aug 2025
Posts: 15
Likes: 3
Luckily (or unluckily?) it was frozen prior to towing it. I think just rusty linkage, but it was/is in 2 high. Towed it about 15 miles. Got up to 60mph for a few minutes, but most of it was 30mph or less. The engine does run, but I haven’t tried putting it in gear yet. I’ve been revamping the fuel lines/pump/tank, so the drivetrain was the next problem.
Hotshot
Joined: Jun 2015
Posts: 12,828
Likes: 2,434
For my own benefit to summarize….
With the trans in neutral and the rear wheels off the ground: cannot get the either rear wheel to turn.
I have no idea how replacing the tires would fixed free up a locked brake. You still cannot turn the rear wheels.
With the driveshaft disconnected from the diff, you say you can move the shaft a little bit but there is a “clacking “ noise. Ok, that could be gear lash which is normal. How hard are you trying to turn the driveshaft because it won’t be easy since you might be trying to turn the transfer case and transmission. Can you now turn the rear wheels? You did not say.
I suspected locked breaks, but I've since replaced all four tires and the front two (while both off the ground) spin freely. The rear two (also both off the ground) simply dont. I honestly dont know if they moved together because I couldn't rotate the wheel much at all. I can see it moving the drive shaft, but then something in the transfer case is stopping it.
With the driveshaft disconnected from the diff, you say you can move the shaft a little bit but there is a “clacking “ noise. Ok, that could be gear lash which is normal. How hard are you trying to turn the driveshaft because it won’t be easy since you might be trying to turn the transfer case and transmission. Can you now turn the rear wheels? You did not say.
FTE Legend
Joined: Nov 2015
Posts: 30,908
Likes: 4,122
From: Angier, NC
Dave ----
Thread Starter
|
Trailering
Joined: Aug 2025
Posts: 15
Likes: 3
Sorry for not being more clear. When I replaced all the tires (dated from 2001) I tried turning the wheels and the fronts spun, but the rears did not. There was enough play though that I was confident the issue wasn’t locked brakes. I’ll be checking out the rear output bearing tomorrow afternoon. The magic of the internet has directed me towards examining that.
FTE Stories
Ford Trucks for Ford Truck Enthusiasts
Top 10 Most Expensive Ford Trucks Ever Sold on Bring a Trailer
Joe Kucinski
2027 Ford Super Duty Buyer's Guide (Every Model, Engine, & Package)
Brett Foote
Top 10 Ford Truck Tragedies
Joe Kucinski
AEV FXL Super Duty - the Super Duty Raptor Ford Doesn't Make
Brett Foote
Lobo Vs Lobo: Proof the F-150 Lobo Should Be Even Lower!
Michael S. Palmer
Ford's 2001 Explorer Sportsman Concept Looks For a New Home
Verdad Gallardo
10 Best Ford Truck Engines We Miss the Most!
Joe Kucinski
2026 Shelby F-150 Off-Road: Better Than a Raptor R?
Brett Foote
2027 Super Duty Carhartt Package First Look: 12 Things You NEED to Know!
Michael S. Palmer
FTE Legend
Joined: Nov 2015
Posts: 30,908
Likes: 4,122
From: Angier, NC
If you towed it home it had to turn then no?
Undo the rear drive shaft from the rear pinion, watch that the ujoint caps dont fall off. I wrap a shop rag around the joint and use duct tape to hold them in place.
You should be able strap it up with out the need to remove it from the transfer case.
With the shaft removed and the rear wheels off the ground see if you can turn the pinion yoke and report back.
Oh you should also be able to turn the drive with the transfer case out of gear and / or the trans out of gear.
Dave ----
Undo the rear drive shaft from the rear pinion, watch that the ujoint caps dont fall off. I wrap a shop rag around the joint and use duct tape to hold them in place.
You should be able strap it up with out the need to remove it from the transfer case.
With the shaft removed and the rear wheels off the ground see if you can turn the pinion yoke and report back.
Oh you should also be able to turn the drive with the transfer case out of gear and / or the trans out of gear.
Dave ----
Hotshot
Joined: Jun 2015
Posts: 12,828
Likes: 2,434
Sorry for not being more clear. When I replaced all the tires (dated from 2001) I tried turning the wheels and the fronts spun, but the rears did not. There was enough play though that I was confident the issue wasn’t locked brakes. I’ll be checking out the rear output bearing tomorrow afternoon. The magic of the internet has directed me towards examining that.
Thread Starter
|
Trailering
Joined: Aug 2025
Posts: 15
Likes: 3
Restating what I’ve already said. They were rotating on the tow home (obviously), and then the truck wouldn’t roll once back on the ground. Hence why I initially thought front brake issue since those were off the ground while it was able to be moved. I’ve disconnected the drive shaft from the rear differential and it’s still not rotating, thus the problem is in the transfer case.
Mountain Pass
Joined: Apr 2025
Posts: 110
Likes: 27
Restating what I’ve already said. They were rotating on the tow home (obviously), and then the truck wouldn’t roll once back on the ground. Hence why I initially thought front brake issue since those were off the ground while it was able to be moved. I’ve disconnected the drive shaft from the rear differential and it’s still not rotating, thus the problem is in the transfer case.
Thread Starter
|
Trailering
Joined: Aug 2025
Posts: 15
Likes: 3
I’m referring to the transfer case behind the transmission. The drive shaft has been disconnected from the pumpkin, but is still not rotating, so whatever is stopping the driveshaft is in the transfer case. Without tearing into it, I’m hoping someone here has some ideas on what it could be.