front hubs not engaging
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Junior User
Joined: Jun 2004
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front hubs not engaging
i have a 97' f-150 w/ a 4.6L, i have a problem with my 4wd. when in 4wd, the front driveshaft locks in, but it doesnt spin. all vacuum lines are connected, and rear end kicks in when i put in 4wd-low. i brought it into and electronic shop, b/c i saw a line hanging down underneath. that wasnt the problem. they told me it wasnt electrical, they thought it could be the transfer case motor, or the hubs. they wouldnt know w/o putting it on the lift, i wasnt about to pay and arm and a leg ust to have them tell me they couldnt find any problem. this is why i come to you people. i know it could be a number of things, but im open for suggestions.
any thouhgts or past problems you have had, i would like to hear them, thank you!
any thouhgts or past problems you have had, i would like to hear them, thank you!
Postmaster
Joined: Jul 2003
Posts: 2,976
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From: Rep. of Texas
auto-hubs, most likely. Except for the part about the shaft not spinning. might as well go to manual anyways...
Heres why:
http://www.supermotors.org/vehicles/....php?id=232414
Heres why:
http://www.supermotors.org/vehicles/....php?id=232414
Senior User
Joined: Mar 2003
Posts: 306
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From: Rancho Cucamonga, CA
There are no locking hubs on 97+ F-150's. They use a Center Axle Disconnect system.
Syracuse, Engage 4wd with the engine on and jack up one of the front tires into the air. try to spin that tire by hand;
If it spins and the driveshaft spins, the problem lies in the transfercase.
If the driveshaft doesnt spin, the vacuum actuator on the front axle is the problem.
Also... between the battery box and the firewall, there are two solenoids that control the front actuator, make sure they are plugged in or damaged if the battery has moved around. (I unplug mine sometimes to drive around in 2wheel low range for fun)
Have you used 4wd often on this truck? if not then the actuator or transfercase motor could be stuck. You should engage 4wd at least once a month to keep everything lubricated.
Let us know what you find, then we can tell you how to fix it!
Syracuse, Engage 4wd with the engine on and jack up one of the front tires into the air. try to spin that tire by hand;
If it spins and the driveshaft spins, the problem lies in the transfercase.
If the driveshaft doesnt spin, the vacuum actuator on the front axle is the problem.
Also... between the battery box and the firewall, there are two solenoids that control the front actuator, make sure they are plugged in or damaged if the battery has moved around. (I unplug mine sometimes to drive around in 2wheel low range for fun)
Have you used 4wd often on this truck? if not then the actuator or transfercase motor could be stuck. You should engage 4wd at least once a month to keep everything lubricated.
Let us know what you find, then we can tell you how to fix it!
Senior User
Joined: May 2003
Posts: 316
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From: Enon,Ohio
*Not meaning to highjack*
If the 4X4 hasn't been used for awhile, how do you re-lube the actuator and/or transfer case? My '85 sounds like it grinds when you try to put it in 4-high and doesn't engage.
thanks,
Stan
If the 4X4 hasn't been used for awhile, how do you re-lube the actuator and/or transfer case? My '85 sounds like it grinds when you try to put it in 4-high and doesn't engage.
thanks,
Stan
Logistics Pro
Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 3,739
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From: GANS
Originally Posted by Stanstruck
*Not meaning to highjack*
If the 4X4 hasn't been used for awhile, how do you re-lube the actuator and/or transfer case? My '85 sounds like it grinds when you try to put it in 4-high and doesn't engage.
thanks,
Stan
If the 4X4 hasn't been used for awhile, how do you re-lube the actuator and/or transfer case? My '85 sounds like it grinds when you try to put it in 4-high and doesn't engage.
thanks,
Stan
If it is grinding, your tcase shift fork is probably worn out. You probably need to rebuild the transfer case.
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Junior User
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i was under my truck when it was moving, the front driveshaft does engage, but the front still has no 4wd, the 4wd low works. could it be a pin hole in the vacuum line?
if it is the t-case motor, could i just 'tap' it with a rather large hammer to free it up?
if it is the t-case motor, could i just 'tap' it with a rather large hammer to free it up?
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Junior User
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i havent been able to use 4wd drive since march or april, and when i was using it it had to sit for a minute or two to kick in, or i had to turn the truk off, then turn it back on, or shift into neutral and back into drive to get it to go, it was really a pain!!
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New User
Joined: Jun 2005
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there's a moter on the transfer case that engages it it could be bad or the hubs are striped, if they are just get a set of warn manual hubs
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Senior User
Joined: Mar 2003
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From: Rancho Cucamonga, CA
1997+ F-150's do not have locking hubs!
Syracuse, i need you to follow the instructions i posted above. You say the driveshaft locks into place.....that could mean that its the front axle that is engaging or the transfercase. One of them is failing and the only way to know where to look is to follow the directions I posted to troubleshoot your problem.
Syracuse, i need you to follow the instructions i posted above. You say the driveshaft locks into place.....that could mean that its the front axle that is engaging or the transfercase. One of them is failing and the only way to know where to look is to follow the directions I posted to troubleshoot your problem.
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