Still a problem, must be vacumn?
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Elder User
Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 568
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From: Kansas
Still a problem, must be vacumn?
Got another snow last night. Tried the 4-wheel drive out again and after flipping the switch on the dash with the hubs in "auto", the front drive line turns but the hubs will not lock. Tried the proven method and manually locked them in and yes I do have front axle power. As all of you have suggested, it's the vacumn system that is not automatically locking the hubs in. My question is what does this system consist of? I know you all have talked about split hoses, but whats beyond that? If I don't have split hoses, is there some kind of canister or accumulator that feeds these hoses or does it work off of the engine vacumn system? This truck is out of warrenty but I'd like to get it fixed...paid good money for this truck and want it working 100%
Junior User
Joined: Jul 2003
Posts: 84
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From: Belton, MO
Must be a Kansas or Missouri thing. I was just getting ready to post about the same question, but thought I would jump in with your case. I have I believe the same issue. The 4x4 light comes on, but no 4 wheel drive in the auto position. I found out on a muddy road. You can lock the hubs and it works fine. This weekend with my neighbor we did some testing. We tested the relays. If you turn on your accessories and start flipping the 4x4 switch you can hear it clicking in the relays and I think it also clicks around the transfer case. This tested ok. He then put a vacuum gauge or tester on the vacuum lines into the hubs. One tested ok and one did not. The one that was ok when he put vacuum against it you could hear a small click and it would hold the vacuum pressure. The other one would not click and would not hold vacuum. How expensive and difficult of a process is it to get into the hub and replace whatever component is bad?
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Elder User
Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 568
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From: Kansas
Inquiring minds want to know? 
What creates the vacuum? I'm like you danielboone4, I think that only one side of mine is at fault because the other day on dry pavement and doing a sharp slow turn as a test, I could feel a slight "fighting" of the steering wheel. Now with them manually locked in, the steering wheel really "fights". Maybe both of us will get more imput on this problem.
What creates the vacuum? I'm like you danielboone4, I think that only one side of mine is at fault because the other day on dry pavement and doing a sharp slow turn as a test, I could feel a slight "fighting" of the steering wheel. Now with them manually locked in, the steering wheel really "fights". Maybe both of us will get more imput on this problem.
Posting Guru
Joined: Aug 2004
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On the Superduty diesels, there is a little electric vacuum pump on the passenger side of the engine compartment that supplies the vacuum. If you get one hub locking in and one not, then your vacuum supply is probably OK, it's probably a problem at the one hub.
Duncan
Duncan
Junior User
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 72
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From: The Republic of Texas
FroBozz,
So do you have a solution to the problem? Just discovered mine is doing the same exact thing!!! Would like to fix the problem but not sure where to start. I've always heard that it is not good to leave the hubs locked in all the time. I would just set them to lock if it didn't do long term damage. Please advise as I'm sure everyone would like to be able to fix this problem themselves instead of taking it in to a "stealership".
Thanks,
tex1313
So do you have a solution to the problem? Just discovered mine is doing the same exact thing!!! Would like to fix the problem but not sure where to start. I've always heard that it is not good to leave the hubs locked in all the time. I would just set them to lock if it didn't do long term damage. Please advise as I'm sure everyone would like to be able to fix this problem themselves instead of taking it in to a "stealership".
Thanks,
tex1313
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Freshman User
Joined: Mar 2004
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I think that realhp is right and far as only one side working and one not it still isnt going to pull its going to turn the easyest axel unless you have a locker in the front
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Senior User
Joined: Dec 2003
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From: Albuquerque NM
First you can verify that the vacuum pump is working by turning the **** on your climate control from the lower vents to the Defrost and if cycles through them all and stays in the position you have selected the pump is ok. Another test is to disconnect both of the vacuum lines from the knuckles and cap one at a time and put a vacuum gauge on the other line and with the key in the on position select 4X4 and see if you have vacuum on the gauge repeat with the other line. If you don’t have vacuum on either line you may have a problem with the selector valve next to the vacuum pump on the passenger side or a leaky line. Next you will need to use a manual hand vacuum pump and connect it to the knuckle and see if you can pump it under vacuum and get the hub to lock in, repeat for the other side and you should be able to point to the problem which I stated is probably the seals on the axles.
Elder User
Joined: Jul 2004
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From: Leesburg , Fl.
Originally Posted by danielboone4
When you lock the hubs manually, how should you have the shift on the fly switch (2wd, 4 lo or 4 high) or does it even matter? When the hubs are locked in is it 4 high or 4 low?