4x4 rotating while in 2WD
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Junior User
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From: The Republic of Texas
4x4 rotating while in 2WD
What causes the 4x4 to slowly turn while running down the road? That has just started happening to my 2001 F-250. This is my first 4WD truck bought used, so I know very little about how the ESOF or any of the 4WD system operates.
The truck has had an intermittent vibration that I was certain was related to the 4WD, so I had someone else drive the truck while I watched from another vehicle. The U-joints can be seen turning maybe 1/4 of the speed of the tires as it goes down the road at any speed. Then hitting the slightest bump will cause it to vibrate like crazy for a few seconds, then smooth out. The ESOF seems to work fine, in fact turning the **** immediately stops the vibration as the slowly rotating mass catches up to the speed of the tires as the 4x4 goes into gear. The 4x4 works fine in the mud. It gets used quite often.
Thanks for any suggestions.
The truck has had an intermittent vibration that I was certain was related to the 4WD, so I had someone else drive the truck while I watched from another vehicle. The U-joints can be seen turning maybe 1/4 of the speed of the tires as it goes down the road at any speed. Then hitting the slightest bump will cause it to vibrate like crazy for a few seconds, then smooth out. The ESOF seems to work fine, in fact turning the **** immediately stops the vibration as the slowly rotating mass catches up to the speed of the tires as the 4x4 goes into gear. The 4x4 works fine in the mud. It gets used quite often.
Thanks for any suggestions.
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From: The Republic of Texas
Well then, I am really showing my ingnorance then. Had no idea the joints turned all the time. So then the only thing the ESOF switch does is engage the hubs?
There is a vibration that occurs at almost any speed, but it is most noticeable between 20-35. It starts when running over small bumps, then may go away, or continue until stopping the truck. If I run up on a stop sign, you can feel the vibration in your feet and even hear it. The rumbling and vibration comes to a sudden stop at about 10 mph when bringing the truck to a stop, but the brake pedal has no effect on it---it seems like the rotating mass suddenly "rights" itself and everything smoothes out.
One day last week it started vibrating so hard at about 20 mph that I thought the entire front drive line was going to fall out. In desperation, I turned the ESOF switch and it stopped immediately. I eased the truck home about 1/2 mile away. It has only done it that bad one time.
I've had the left front wheel off and looked for obvious sings and found none, but something tells me its the left front drive shaft "bouncing" around in place.
Thanks for the reply.
There is a vibration that occurs at almost any speed, but it is most noticeable between 20-35. It starts when running over small bumps, then may go away, or continue until stopping the truck. If I run up on a stop sign, you can feel the vibration in your feet and even hear it. The rumbling and vibration comes to a sudden stop at about 10 mph when bringing the truck to a stop, but the brake pedal has no effect on it---it seems like the rotating mass suddenly "rights" itself and everything smoothes out.
One day last week it started vibrating so hard at about 20 mph that I thought the entire front drive line was going to fall out. In desperation, I turned the ESOF switch and it stopped immediately. I eased the truck home about 1/2 mile away. It has only done it that bad one time.
I've had the left front wheel off and looked for obvious sings and found none, but something tells me its the left front drive shaft "bouncing" around in place.
Thanks for the reply.
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From: Long Island USA
There is a little drag in the hubs, which rotates the axles slowly while driving.
The vibration when you hit a bump is the hub binding up and spinning the axle...
Someone else on here had the same problem, it was the hub ... maybe just a re-lube is needed...
The vibration when you hit a bump is the hub binding up and spinning the axle...
Someone else on here had the same problem, it was the hub ... maybe just a re-lube is needed...
Post Fiend
Joined: Jan 2002
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From: USA
The front drive shaft should not turn in 2wd ,also the front axle u-joints dont turn in 2wd.
If your front axle u-joints are turning you either have a hub thats not unlocking(common) and needs to replaced or cleaned.If the front drive shaft is turning then the esof shift has internal problems(transfercase) not likely though.
The front axle stub goes through the hub and is supported by needle bearings.When they start to go this is a symptom.
Rich
If your front axle u-joints are turning you either have a hub thats not unlocking(common) and needs to replaced or cleaned.If the front drive shaft is turning then the esof shift has internal problems(transfercase) not likely though.
The front axle stub goes through the hub and is supported by needle bearings.When they start to go this is a symptom.
Rich
Last edited by FortyFords; Jul 5, 2005 at 10:30 AM.
Post Fiend
Joined: Jan 2002
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From: USA
Gas hog think about that again ,if the front drive shaft turned all the time,what would stop the front axle shafts from turning ??????????
Our trucks aren't awd unless they changed the transfercase in 05 to do it with coil springs !
So you could be right for 05's.I'm not fan of the new coils and don't know much about them.
Rich
Our trucks aren't awd unless they changed the transfercase in 05 to do it with coil springs !
So you could be right for 05's.I'm not fan of the new coils and don't know much about them.
Rich
Last edited by FortyFords; Jul 5, 2005 at 10:46 AM.
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FTE Leadership Emeritus
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From: Long Island USA
Notice he said they were turning SLOWLY.
That's normal for everything with a solid axle I've ever seen. My highboy did it, even after I replaced/rebuilt the front end.
What's NOT normal is when he hits a bump and gets that vibration - someone else had the same problem, it turned out to be the hub binding ...
That's normal for everything with a solid axle I've ever seen. My highboy did it, even after I replaced/rebuilt the front end.
What's NOT normal is when he hits a bump and gets that vibration - someone else had the same problem, it turned out to be the hub binding ...
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From: The Republic of Texas
I got under the truck a few minutes ago and felt the axles and U-joints. They turn pretty free, but there does appear to be some small amount of binding (and some noise) on one side, plus I can move the stub around quite a bit on that same side. The other side does not move up/down much at all. It looks like that loose side is grabbing and then spinning around off-center.
After its fixed, I'll report back in this thread.
Thank you all for the replys.
Mike
After its fixed, I'll report back in this thread.
Thank you all for the replys.
Mike
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From: Long Island USA
Originally Posted by Mike Johnston
I got under the truck a few minutes ago and felt the axles and U-joints. They turn pretty free, but there does appear to be some small amount of binding (and some noise) on one side, plus I can move the stub around quite a bit on that same side. The other side does not move up/down much at all. It looks like that loose side is grabbing and then spinning around off-center.
The other guy I'm thinking of got lucky and it didn't trash the axle, but be warned in advance: You probably need a wheel-bearing, and the axle might be trashed too ...
Look at this:
http://fords.kilonet.org/krewat/ford-wheel-hub.jpg
art k.
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From: The Republic of Texas
I just walked in to see if there were any more replys. Thanks for the info and illustration.
It looks like there is a huge amount of play in the axle shaft inside the axle housing. Isn't there a bearing at the end of the axle just behind the seal behind the u-joint? Or does the needle bearing you mention provide the support for the end of the axle?
Thanks again,
Mike
It looks like there is a huge amount of play in the axle shaft inside the axle housing. Isn't there a bearing at the end of the axle just behind the seal behind the u-joint? Or does the needle bearing you mention provide the support for the end of the axle?
Thanks again,
Mike
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From: Long Island USA
If it's anything like my Dana 44 in the front of my '74 highboy, there is no bearing inside the axle tube for the axle, just the needle at the wheel-bearing/hub... and a seal at the end of the axle tube.
Come to think of it, maybe it's not the needle-bearing specifically, but enough play in the bearing to allow the axle to flow around and partially lock the hub? Either way, sounds like that bearing is bad in there.
Come to think of it, maybe it's not the needle-bearing specifically, but enough play in the bearing to allow the axle to flow around and partially lock the hub? Either way, sounds like that bearing is bad in there.
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From: The Republic of Texas
Got the hub assembly off, and the needle bearings are completely dry. I may have gotten lucky, as the axle does not appear to be worn too much. By that I mean there are no heat or score marks usually associated with running a bearing dry.
Can that needle bearing be swapped out, or does the entire hub have to be replaced?
Thanks again for all the help. The Haynes manual I bought today doesn't have anything over on the info available from the regulars here.
Mike
Can that needle bearing be swapped out, or does the entire hub have to be replaced?
Thanks again for all the help. The Haynes manual I bought today doesn't have anything over on the info available from the regulars here.
Mike
Post Fiend
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From: USA
Krewat,I have an 02 f250 4x4 and my axles don't turn.they will find their own center(u-joints) to alow the steering knuckle to turn ,when making a right or left turn.
I believe you can get just the needle bearings someone on here gave the p/n.
but if you have a lot of play in the axle stub moving.That means that the dust seal on the back of the knuckle has alowed dirt and moisture into the wheel bearing itself and should be replaced. My opinion
Rich
I believe you can get just the needle bearings someone on here gave the p/n.
but if you have a lot of play in the axle stub moving.That means that the dust seal on the back of the knuckle has alowed dirt and moisture into the wheel bearing itself and should be replaced. My opinion
Rich
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From: The Republic of Texas
Just wanted to post a note of success. I replaced the needle bearing in the hub, and it now rolls smooth as glass again. It was sure close to ruining the axle, but I just may have got by without it.
Thanks for all your help.
Mike
Thanks for all your help.
Mike