Notices
1999 - 2016 Super Duty 1999 to 2016 Ford F250, F350, F450 and F550 Super Duty with diesel V8 and gas V8 and V10 engines
Sponsored by:
Sponsored by: Real Truck

FWD Problem

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old Jun 12, 2005 | 06:11 PM
  #1  
ekeller's Avatar
ekeller
Thread Starter
|
Freshman User
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 40
Likes: 0
FWD Problem

I have a 03 250 FX4 that acts strange when I try to turn off the 4X4. $wd works fine, but getting it to shut off is another thing. All it wants to do is make a whisling sound. Only was to stop this is to put it in reverse for 1/4 mile. What do I need to do to fix this? It only has 21,000 on it, and the 4wd has only been used a few times.
 
Reply
Old Jun 12, 2005 | 08:23 PM
  #2  
high ho silver's Avatar
high ho silver
Posting Guru
Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 1,342
Likes: 0
From: Georgia
Is it an ESOF setup? If it is sounds like a vacuum line to one of the hubs may have a leak.
 
Reply
Old Jun 12, 2005 | 08:40 PM
  #3  
ekeller's Avatar
ekeller
Thread Starter
|
Freshman User
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 40
Likes: 0
Yes, it is esof. How do I check my hubs? It is under Fords warranty yet, should I just take it in?
 
Reply
Old Jun 12, 2005 | 11:31 PM
  #4  
Autobahn F-250 Lariat's Avatar
Autobahn F-250 Lariat
Posting Guru
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 1,238
Likes: 0
From: Back in the TX Coast
Take that puppy in and have the dealer look at it
 
Reply
Old Jun 13, 2005 | 09:49 AM
  #5  
krewat's Avatar
krewat
FTE Leadership Emeritus
Joined: Jul 2002
Posts: 42,561
Likes: 421
From: Long Island USA
Club FTE Gold Member
Even if the hubs are sticking, the transfer case should come out of 4x4.

What is it doing? Does the 4x4 light stay on? If it's really the transfer case staying in 4x4, that means you probably need a servo. The whisting might be the servo's bearings.

The hubs lock with a 20 second vacuum pulse, and unlock with a 5 second pulse. If you hear constant whistling, it's possible the ESOF vacuum solenoid is bad and leaking.

Get back to me with the following answers:

1) Does the 4x4 light go off in the dash, or stay on?
2) The whistling, does it only happen for about 5 seconds when you try to turn off 4x4 or is it constant when trying to disengage 4x4?
3) Are your hubs locked or free when it's doing this? (try to turn the axles by hand).

art k.
 
Reply
Old Jun 13, 2005 | 05:44 PM
  #6  
ekeller's Avatar
ekeller
Thread Starter
|
Freshman User
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 40
Likes: 0
The light goes off when I put the switch in 2wd. The whistling stays on when the truck is moving. I must come to a complete stop and put it in reverse for about 1/2 mile to get it to quit. Not shure if the hubs are free or not, but it pulls hard when it is whistling. Thanks
 
Reply
Old Jun 13, 2005 | 05:59 PM
  #7  
krewat's Avatar
krewat
FTE Leadership Emeritus
Joined: Jul 2002
Posts: 42,561
Likes: 421
From: Long Island USA
Club FTE Gold Member
That "whistle" might be the needle bearing in the hub - get it checked before it does some real damage...

Check to see if the axles are unlocking.

Also, if the ESOF hubs are sticking, you can use the hand-**** to unlock, turn to lock, then turn back to auto, and it should come onlocked. The next time you hear the "whistle" do this to each wheel, one at a time, and test. If it goes away, you have a sticking hub. Again, that needle bearing might be going and you can limit the damage before it takes out the hub (I believe)...
 
Reply




All times are GMT -5. The time now is 03:20 AM.

story-0
Top 10 Ford Truck Tragedies

Slideshow: Top 10 Ford truck tragedies.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-05-18 19:34:33


VIEW MORE
story-1
AEV FXL Super Duty - the Super Duty Raptor Ford Doesn't Make

And it might be even better than that.

By Brett Foote | 2026-05-18 19:26:42


VIEW MORE
story-2
Lobo Vs Lobo: Proof the F-150 Lobo Should Be Even Lower!

Slideshow: Does lowering an F-150 Lobo RUIN the ride quality?

By Michael S. Palmer | 2026-05-18 19:20:37


VIEW MORE
story-3
Ford's 2001 Explorer Sportsman Concept Looks For a New Home

Slideshow: Ford's bizarre fishing-themed Explorer concept has resurfaced after spending decades largely forgotten.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-05-12 18:07:46


VIEW MORE
story-4
10 Best Ford Truck Engines We Miss the Most!

Slideshow: The 10 best Ford truck engines we miss the most.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-05-12 13:09:47


VIEW MORE
story-5
2026 Shelby F-150 Off-Road: Better Than a Raptor R?

Slideshow: first look at the 810 hp 2026 Shelby F-150 Off-Road!

By Brett Foote | 2026-05-12 12:50:07


VIEW MORE
story-6
2027 Super Duty Carhartt Package First Look: 12 Things You NEED to Know!

Slideshow: Everything You Need to Know about the 2027 Super Duty Carhartt Package!

By Michael S. Palmer | 2026-05-07 17:51:06


VIEW MORE
story-7
10 Most Surprising 2026 Ford Truck Features!

Slideshow: 10 most surprising Ford truck options/features in 2026.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-05-05 11:17:22


VIEW MORE
story-8
Top 10 Ford Trucks Coming to Mecum Indy 2026

Slideshow: Here are the top 10 Fords coming to Mecum Indy 2026.

By Brett Foote | 2026-05-04 13:49:49


VIEW MORE
story-9
5 Best / 5 Worst Ford Truck Wheels of All Time

Slideshow: The 5 best and 5 worst Ford truck wheels of all time

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-04-29 16:49:01


VIEW MORE