4x4 Problem

Reply Subscribe

Thread Tools

Search this Thread

Nov 29, 2005 | 11:16 AM

4fords

Thread Starter

Mountain Pass

Joined: Jul 2000

Posts: 189

Likes: 12

From: Minnesota

4x4 Problem

Hi all. Need some ideas on what could be causing a problem with my 4 wheel drive. Truck info is: 85 F150, 351 HO, C6. Left for work this morning with about 2 inches of snow on top of ice. Locked in the hubs and the second I started moving the truck began to shake and shimy. The faster I went the worse the shaking got. I also heard a clunking in what sounded like the front left. After about 2 blocks I stopped and unlocked the hubs, got back in and took off with no shaking or shimy. Any thoughts? Thanks in advance for you help.

Nov 29, 2005 | 12:04 PM

69 and 85

Elder User

Joined: Dec 2003

Posts: 633

Likes: 1

I don't know thing 1 about 4wd, but if there's clunk'n and shak'n... I bet you can crawl under it and find some slop. Might have to jack it up and shake the axle or the tire. Seems like it's gotta be axle related or darn close!

Nov 29, 2005 | 12:47 PM

turbocoupe5.0

Senior User

Joined: Aug 2005

Posts: 158

Likes: 1

U-joints? There are 5 u-joints in the front end of your 4 wheel drive. There is one at each front wheel, one in the middle of the front axle, one at the differential, and one at the front of the transfer case. Jack up the left front wheel only. Put the transfer case in 4wd and lock both front hubs. Crawl under the truck and rotate the left front tire back forth. While doing that, watch the u-joints for slop. This is easier with a helper. There will be a little slop in the differential gears, that's ok. The two yokes and the center section of each u-joint, however, should all turn at the same time with no noticable slop.

Nov 29, 2005 | 01:49 PM

4fords

Thread Starter

Mountain Pass

Joined: Jul 2000

Posts: 189

Likes: 12

From: Minnesota

Would it shake like that even though I still have the truck in 2 high, the front end is just locked in? Could it be a bad lockout?

Nov 29, 2005 | 01:57 PM

Oval_obsessed

Elder User

Joined: May 2003

Posts: 556

Likes: 0

From: Dixon, Il

I had this problem once, it was that the transfer case shifter wasn't completely in 4H. I stopped and tried again and gave it a good pull and made sure it was in and no problem. You may also want to check your front driveshaft and see if the u-joints are ok.

Nov 29, 2005 | 02:07 PM

turbo2256

Senior User

Joined: Mar 2004

Posts: 274

Likes: 0

From: MI

Check the front axle u joints too. have had them rust from the inside out due to a distorted cap seal salt and water got inside. One of the few times a garage did some work for me.

Nov 29, 2005 | 05:22 PM

fordborn

Post Fiend

Joined: Jan 2004

Posts: 6,610

Likes: 2

From: Northwest, Arkansas

Just to be sure, are the front tires and rear tires the same size? This can cause a vibration, shake and a clunk as the t-case gets loaded up and finally releases.