4X4 lockup when backing up
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New User
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From: San Antonio
4X4 lockup when backing up
When I put my 2003 F150 in low range 4X4 and back up it will back up about 75 feet and bind up - will not back up anymore. Is this standard? Dealer says it is but I find that hard to believe.
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Sounds like you're doing this on hard concrete. Because of slight differences in the diameters of the tires, each driveshaft wants to turn at a slightly different speed. Since the front and rear driveshafts are locked together, eventually one of the tires must skid a little bit to compensate. That's OK on dirt, gravel, or wet pavement, but on dry concrete, there is no skidding and binding occurs. I blew the front differential on my old pickup by using the four wheel drive on dry concrete.
The all wheel drive vehicles get around this problem by not mechanically locking the driveshafts together, but rather by coupling them together with a heavy, vicous fluid.
The all wheel drive vehicles get around this problem by not mechanically locking the driveshafts together, but rather by coupling them together with a heavy, vicous fluid.
Hotshot
Joined: Aug 2002
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From: BC, Canada
Hi ebubenik and welcome to the forum 
The only thing I have to add to what Greentree said is to make sure your tires are all exactly the same circumference. Not just the same size on the sidewall. Are all 4 tires the same size and brand? If you have 1 or 2 that are a different brand they can be different circumferences even if the size on the sidewall is the same.
The only thing I have to add to what Greentree said is to make sure your tires are all exactly the same circumference. Not just the same size on the sidewall. Are all 4 tires the same size and brand? If you have 1 or 2 that are a different brand they can be different circumferences even if the size on the sidewall is the same.
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From: San Antonio
Thanks guys I'll run this by the dealer and have them ck the tires. They are all the same brand and came with the truck when i bought it. Goodyear 17". I'll remember the hard surface reminder. I really do appreciate the responses.
Ernie
Ernie
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I have a slightly different perspective on tire diameter vs. use of 4HI or 4LO: As long as you are using these ranges on surfaces that are slippery enough for the tire to break traction, the tires don't have to be exactly the same diameter. They can't be grossly off, but a slight difference in wear shouldn't be a huge issue.
Tire diameter differences are more critical with Ford SUV's that have a A4WD selection for the transfer case, as the GEM is monitoring tire/wheel RPM while driving, and assumes that rear tires that are spinning more quickly than the front tires means you have little traction. Under those circumstances, the GEM will signal the transfer case to engage the front wheels, not good on dry, paved surfaces.
Tire diameter differences are more critical with Ford SUV's that have a A4WD selection for the transfer case, as the GEM is monitoring tire/wheel RPM while driving, and assumes that rear tires that are spinning more quickly than the front tires means you have little traction. Under those circumstances, the GEM will signal the transfer case to engage the front wheels, not good on dry, paved surfaces.
Hotshot
Joined: Aug 2002
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From: BC, Canada
I agree that a slight difference from wear wont cause a problem but too many times I've seen tires that were supposedly the same size be quite a bit different.
Paul have you ever worked on a 4x4 Tempo with different size tires on it? When they bind up and then "unbind" you'd swear that something exploded.
Paul have you ever worked on a 4x4 Tempo with different size tires on it? When they bind up and then "unbind" you'd swear that something exploded.
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From: Louisville,Ky.
I've seen one of those Tempo's. Pretty rare I guess. They only get a small right-up in the owners manual. I've also seen a 83 F-150 with a factory 3.8 V6.
I agree with the other post. If it's dry, 2wd, if it's slick, then you click!! This will keep things in working order.
Also, turn on the 4x4 and 4x4L once a month the keep the solenoids and such moving to prevent failure when you really need it.
Jimmy
I agree with the other post. If it's dry, 2wd, if it's slick, then you click!! This will keep things in working order.
Also, turn on the 4x4 and 4x4L once a month the keep the solenoids and such moving to prevent failure when you really need it.
Jimmy
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You guys are great. This is way beyond my expectations. I've been turning on the 4 wheel drive about once a month to ensure that things are going smoothly. I drive down to the end of the block in 4 wheel then stop and switch to 2 wheel. It has been on a dry asphalt surface. No slippage factor. That may be the problem. I will keep that in mind and only use it on a surface that can slip. I did have the system stay locked in 4X4 LO and would not come out. It has the electrical switch on the dash. The switch would move to where ever I wanted it but the 4X4 would not disengage. The dealer said that there is a "trick" to be used in this situation. Put the vehicle in neutral, hold the brake down at least 30 seconds, and then put it in drive. Should disengage. Always something.
Ernie
Ernie
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4X4 Locking Up on '99 Expedition
Folks, what you're describing is exactly what's begun happening on my wife's Expedition the last 4 months. Only she's just performing low-speed, tight turns. We're talking making a U-turn and getting stuck with oncoming traffic barrelling down on her, and she can't get the crate moving!
THis does not happen in reverse. And only started in May 2004, after the tires were replaced.
Ford dealership replaced a sensor and part of the transfer case. Didn't fix the problem, so they tore everything apart and checked it out, then said two of the tires were 5/8" different in circumference, good Goodyear tires with less that 1,000 miles on them. So they blamed the tires. NTB Manager went crazy!
I suggested moving the tires so that the two small ones were either in the front or rear. Didn't do anything, same problem. NTB replaced all 4 tires with brand new ones. Still the same problem.
Could it be sensors or the computer thinking something is slipping? Unfortunately, this is happening in A4WD, we don't have the luxury of putting into 2WD.
THis does not happen in reverse. And only started in May 2004, after the tires were replaced.
Ford dealership replaced a sensor and part of the transfer case. Didn't fix the problem, so they tore everything apart and checked it out, then said two of the tires were 5/8" different in circumference, good Goodyear tires with less that 1,000 miles on them. So they blamed the tires. NTB Manager went crazy!
I suggested moving the tires so that the two small ones were either in the front or rear. Didn't do anything, same problem. NTB replaced all 4 tires with brand new ones. Still the same problem.
Could it be sensors or the computer thinking something is slipping? Unfortunately, this is happening in A4WD, we don't have the luxury of putting into 2WD.
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