stuck in 4X4
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New User
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 3
Likes: 0
From: parma, ohio
stuck in 4X4
hello, first post, new ford truck owner. i recently bought a 1960 f 100 4x4. today i heard some loud grinding/squeeking from the left front of the truck. i thougth it might be a bad hub because it was spinning backwards when i was driving forward. i engaged the 4x4 to see if the noise would go away when the hubs were locked and now the 4x4 will not disengage and the hubs will not unlock. the squeeking is still there in 4x4. the truck has the original hubs on it. new hubs? wheel bearings? brakes? suspension? thanks a lot.
Last edited by 60fordguy; Aug 11, 2005 at 08:30 PM.
Postmaster
Joined: Mar 2000
Posts: 3,730
Likes: 13
From: Waynesville, OH
Hi fordguy - welcome to the 1948-1960 Forum and FTE. This is the best and biggest place to talk about Ford trucks and get your questions answered. 
We're pretty much family here and have quite a few knowledgeable and helpful folks that will come by and answer your question. When you get a chance, click on the User CP button near the top of the screen and set up your gallery. We all love to see other trucks - especially unusual ones like your 4x4.
I'm not a 4x4 expert, but I'll ask some of the standard first-time-around questions. Do you have a shop manual for your truck? If not, check at www.motorhaven.com and pick one up. It's the best money you'll ever spend on it. Lots of information and illustrations about most parts and systems.
There are a number of 4x4 web sites and there is additional info on the FTE site. Would one of you 4x4 experts out there fill in the blanks for me on that one?
We're pretty much family here and have quite a few knowledgeable and helpful folks that will come by and answer your question. When you get a chance, click on the User CP button near the top of the screen and set up your gallery. We all love to see other trucks - especially unusual ones like your 4x4.
I'm not a 4x4 expert, but I'll ask some of the standard first-time-around questions. Do you have a shop manual for your truck? If not, check at www.motorhaven.com and pick one up. It's the best money you'll ever spend on it. Lots of information and illustrations about most parts and systems.
There are a number of 4x4 web sites and there is additional info on the FTE site. Would one of you 4x4 experts out there fill in the blanks for me on that one?
Elder User
Joined: Feb 2002
Posts: 910
Likes: 4
From: Maryland
I would think something is wrong with the hubs. Those front hub and wheel bearings need to be serviced often. I wouldn't drive it until you figure out what is making the noise. The locking hubs are common they wouldn't be a problem getting parts for. But the drum wheel bearing spindle may be a problem. So you wouldn't want to trash those parts.
Thread Starter
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New User
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 3
Likes: 0
From: parma, ohio
thanks a lot for your welcome and help so far. i appreciate everyones help. im looking forward to becoming a more active member and i hope to learn a lot. any hub preferences? warn, mile marker, etc?
Post Fiend
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 5,231
Likes: 1
From: Near Fresno, California
Try backing up in a "S" turn - if you have a helper have him drive while you try to unlock your hubs. It is likely you were bound up in your gears from operating on a dry hard surface in 4wd - there has to be some slippage somewhere to relieve the strain. I would get everything back to neutral and then see if there is a problem. You may not even have anything wrong.
One time I had only one hub engaged with the other disengaged, and the transfer case in 2wd. The truck made such a racket I had it towed to the dealer - even though what I had done was harmless. Gave them a good laugh at my expense.
You can also dismantle and clean your hubs - sometimes just a good cleaning clears the problems. If you do that you will likely need a special socket that is available in all parts stores that deal with 4wd.
Good luck and let us know how things work out.
One time I had only one hub engaged with the other disengaged, and the transfer case in 2wd. The truck made such a racket I had it towed to the dealer - even though what I had done was harmless. Gave them a good laugh at my expense.
You can also dismantle and clean your hubs - sometimes just a good cleaning clears the problems. If you do that you will likely need a special socket that is available in all parts stores that deal with 4wd.
Good luck and let us know how things work out.
Tuned
Joined: Oct 2000
Posts: 262
Likes: 4
From: Lake Jackson, Texas
I have mostly dealt with the old Warn hubs so experience is limited. I would remove, disassemble and clean the hub. If it is an old Warn be careful when cleaning it as the grease is all that keeps some of the ball bearings in.(ask me how I found that bit of info) 
After that go through the rest of the stuff up there, brakes and wheel bearings. It could be the U-joint in the front axle making noise, so check those out, too. Good luck and glad to see another refrigerator.
Bob
60 F100
95 F150
After that go through the rest of the stuff up there, brakes and wheel bearings. It could be the U-joint in the front axle making noise, so check those out, too. Good luck and glad to see another refrigerator.Bob
60 F100
95 F150
Senior User
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 208
Likes: 0
From: Heppner, Oregon
acutally i have the same problem whath my so id had to stand on the shifter to get it out but have buddy try to unlock your hups as you rock the vehicle back in forth by hand some time with these older trucks nothing as smooth so they need to be in the perfect postion to get them out but i do sugeest cleaning rthe hubs out and putting some fresh grease in. oh yea i perfer warn heavy duty lockers may be the more pricy choiuce but i havent herd to many complaints about them compared to the light duty models
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Posting Guru
Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 1,908
Likes: 2
From: Seattle WA.
Sounds like wheel bearing noise, be prepaired to purchase a socket to fit those big lock nuts and a torque wrench. Also pickup a shop manual and follow the bearing tightening information to the letter. I had a 66 Bronco and used to do the old hammer and chisel thing on the locknuts. Looking back i could have saved a lot of grief had I purchased the socket. I had a lot of problems getting them set right, and now I know why.
Hope this helps
Rod
Hope this helps
Rod
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Roast em' if you got 'em
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 22,030
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From: Rio Rancho, NM
Very good advice from everyone and I don't think I can add to it.
I just wanted to say hello to the new guy. Hello, and welcome to the board!
Let us know how it turns out
Bobby
I just wanted to say hello to the new guy. Hello, and welcome to the board!
Let us know how it turns out
Bobby
Thread Starter
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New User
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 3
Likes: 0
From: parma, ohio
well i got the hubs to unlock and the 4x4 to disengage. i just moved the truck a little bit and then everything just disengaged fine. this week im gonna try to figure out whats making that noise. thanks guys.
Posting Guru
Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 1,908
Likes: 2
From: Seattle WA.
If the hubs are locked, the transfer case is engaged, and the vehicle is moved on a hard, or semi-hard surface the transfer case gears will wind up. If driven that way long enough permanent damage will most likely result. Years ago when I did a lot of Four Wheelin in the deserts of southern California. I would have to back up my Bronco as much as 30 feet at times to get the transfer case gears to unwind, so I could unlock the hubs. We had one guy in our group that had a 50 *****'s Jeep 4X4 Wagon. He would have to jack up the left front wheel every time he wanted to take it out of 4 wheel drive to relieve the pressure in the transfer case.
Last edited by 51ford fan; Aug 15, 2005 at 04:32 PM.