4x4 Not Engaging!

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Feb 18, 2004 | 11:03 PM

siegel

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4x4 Not Engaging!

I could use some diagnostic advice from someone who's been there or knows.

I have a 96 F-150, 300, 4x4 fairly recent purchase.

Went to shift into 4wd, got no drive from front wheels. Its got manual shift and auto-hubs.

Haven't really checked it out too thoroughly yet. Shifts ok, indicator light comes on. Looked underneath, when in 4wd, transer case drive line is solid, front axle can be spun by hand freely.

My guess is front diff? or could it be hubs?

Like to have some ideas before I get serious. Any and all help appreciated.

Feb 18, 2004 | 11:13 PM

Putt

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Joined: Jul 2003

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From: Colville, Washington

It is your auto hubs they are notorious for failing. If you plan on USING your 4X4, then replace them with manual hubs. JMHO
Take it out of 4wd and turn the front driveline, it should make the axles turn at the spindle are(look for the u-joint at the end of the axle, inside the tire)(lousy description!)HTH

Feb 18, 2004 | 11:13 PM

fishin1976

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Sounds like the 4x4 servo on the the t-case has gone south. I would get a haynes manual. there is a way to test the servo to make sure it is working. It could be the hubs but I doubt it.

good luck

P.S. I am assuming (of course) that you have the push button 4WD.

Feb 18, 2004 | 11:26 PM

bartspedden

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Joined: Jul 2003

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From: Colorado

Just had the same thing happen to me on my 91 F250. It was the hubs. My hubs are manual locking and were easily replaced with a new set from Warn. The whole replacement only took about an hour and a half. I was totaly impressed with the after market parts and now I'm back in business and ready for the snow!

One of the ways that you can test whether or not it is the hubs is to put your truck's front-end up on a pair of jackstands and lock up both hubs but keep it in 2 wheel drive. Try turning both wheels by hand. Your front axle should spin. If the axle spins I would start looking at the front diff or the t-case.

good luck,

bart

Feb 19, 2004 | 02:16 AM

96f350rcsrw460zf

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From: rural PA

Since you have a "manual shift" t-case, it sounds like the auto hubs are the culpret. Auto hubs are junk. I suggest switching to manual hubs. They're easy to replace, you don't even have to remove the wheels to do so.

Feb 19, 2004 | 09:48 AM

siegel

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Thanks, all!

Yeah, it is a manual shift t-case.

I've heard that about the auto-hubs and I was hoping that was the problem. I'll dig into it this weekend and see if that is it.

Bartspedden, All,
How can I "lock up" hubs to test? They are the auto-lock hubs. Is there another way to do that?

It seemed funny to me that the front axle was still turning when I rotated it after shifting to 4wd. That's why I thought it might be the front diff.

Hub problem would show that way too?

Thanks again, new to the Ford thing (yes I still have my '72 Chevy!)

Last edited by siegel; Feb 19, 2004 at 09:55 AM.