Failed Automatic Hubs
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Failed Automatic Hubs
My four wheel drive will not engage. I recently bought a 1997 F250 Heavy Duty Diesel. The front drive shaft turns and the two drive shafts to the wheels turn. I am thinking there is a problem with the hubs. The dealer told me there was a solenoid and a motor which could be bad. I cannot find either and am looking for some advice before I take it to the dealer and pay top dollar. ANY help would be greatly appreciated. Thanks, Ambush.
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Failed Automatic Hubs
The best advice I can give to cure that problem is to take your truck to a good 4x4 shop & have manual hubs put on. They may try to say that it can't be done but it can. We had this problem on our work truck with only 10,000 miles, we done away with the auto hubs & never had any trouble since.
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Failed Automatic Hubs
A Ford factory guy said that the auto hubs should be cycled once or twice a month. To help keep the hubs in good working order and reduce dirt build-up in the vacuum system. I guess it couldn't hurt.
Rick
Rick
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Failed Automatic Hubs
I'll try taking the covers off and giving them a good cleaning and lube. I think the person I spoke with about the electrical parts had me confused with a push button four wheel drive. Thanks for the response.
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Failed Automatic Hubs
Of the two 250's I've owned, I have had 4 sets of bad hubs. A friend of mine, also with a 97' 250 has had 2 sets of bad hubs. My conclusion is that Ford never built hubs that were up to the job. My first was a 94', I was able to get replacement warranty hubs the first time, +- 15,000 miles, but they went bad at +- 15,000 miles later, these I had to pay for. I bought my 97 new and right on cue the hubs started that wonderful clang,ping,crack,grind,gouge, noise at 15,000. The dealership put new ones on for me, and the mechanic(an old high school friend) told me that this is not a rare occurence. When this set went out,right on schedule at 31,000, I tried to get new ones and the dealership in my new town were not as cordial. I got the "we can't make the noise you speak of, therefore you get nothing and like it." I was not pleased, so due to financial restrictions I have the same ones that make awful noises but do engage, and with a lot of effort will dissengage. When the money lends itself I do as he said and put the manualls on, I have heard nothing but good things from this switch.
Good luck
Good luck
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Failed Automatic Hubs
Thanks for the input. I broke down and ordered some WARN manuals. With the adapter, etc it came to 227.00. I hated to spend money on a truck I just bought but it sounds like the hubs are a weak link in an otherwise good product. Thanks again.
