Quick 4x4 question: The other day I had to use 4x4 low and when I tried to put it back to 2x4 I couldn't. Would not go out of low. Finally got it to release. Last thing I did was try to move one of the auto lock hubs but it wouldn't budge (couldn't turn to lock). I tried a couple of times. Then a buddy reached down and said he could move it fine. Then tried to put in 2x4 and it went fine. Now the ?. If a hub is stuck engaged will it not go out of 4x4? Sorry for the thread hijack.

 

JRCiii56 - you won't have 4x4 with only one locked hub. Diff will send all power to unlocked axle and it will just free spin until that hub is locked also. Make sure you check the vac hoses to front hubs. They will deteriorate and crack and you won't develop any vacuum. The vac engages the hubs when they are in the auto position.

 

Thanks sgrol, I will check in the morning when I have some light. Do you know where the scelenoid for the 4x4 is located.

 

Here are a few links with related problems. I think you might get some ideas. Keep us posted. Good Luck!

https://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/s...=transfer+case
https://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/s...=transfer+case
https://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/s...=transfer+case
https://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/s...=transfer+case
https://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/s...=transfer+case

 

Thanks, Iguess Ill be up late doing some reading

 

Not sure where the solenoid is - may be just a relay in the under hood fuse box. I may be wrong but I believe if the 4x4 light comes on the transfer case is engaging. Try this - when in 4x2 you should be able to turn the front driveshaft freely. Unhook the vac pump on the fender underhood pass side and turn key to on (not started) switch it to 4x4 and see if you can turn the front drive shaft. If you can't then the transfer case is engaging and the problem is in the front hub/s. Sounds like you may have already made that determination though. Another thing - there are two electric motors attached to the transfer case. One is for 4x4 and one is for 4x4 low range. With key on and someone inside truck moving switch crawl under and see if you can hear the motors running back and forth.

 

Try taking some WD-40 and give your hub a good blast right on the front of it and let it soak in and I'm guessing that it will loosen up the hub you can't turn. Once you get that hub in the locked position (both hubs locked), then put the 4x4 switch in 4hi and crawl under there and see if you can turn the front driveshaft.

 

well if the hub dont lock then the tire wont spin.

 

Hey jrciii56,

Sorry, came to this post late. Hopefully your probs are fixed, but if not......

Yes, your 4X4 should be "on-demand" when your hubs are on automatic.
No, they will not engage in 4X4 if only one wheel is in "lock".
-Reference the fact that one will not go to "lock" at all...that sucker might be frozen. Few people NEVER put them in that mode (they left them in "automatic"), so you might have bought a truck that was NEVER put on "lock" for the last 6 years. Keep trying...spray a little wd-40 on the hub and use a pair of thick pliers to move (don't crack it...just use steady pressure and make sure it's on their with as much surface of the plier connecting as possible).

I just got my 2000 last June and almost immediately got it to the outer banks (sand)....had never used 4X4. It worked, but I wanted to test the "lock" mode also. I had to do the above steps to get one of the hubs to move at all, but it then worked perfectly.

If it still doesn't work (4X4) in "lock" mode, it's a more serious problem and I'm definitely not a tranny expert (others here are). If so, did you purchase from a large dealer?......Some of them have a 3-month or 3000 mile warranty of re-sold trucks---particularly power-strokes. In any event, it SHOULD be working in automatic.

p.s. Did you try 4-high AND 4-low?........

Steve

 

Yes I tryed 4x4 high and low and got nothing. I have not been fix the problem this morning, but I be hard at in a couple of hours. I will keep you posted. Thanks for the help

 

4 wheel low should keep your transmission in low range regardless of what your hubs are doing. It sounds like the motors that control your shifters are not working.

 

Alright, I believe I have found my problem. Here's what I did. I first checked the fuse and it was not blown. I knew I couldn,t be that lucky. I then checked the transfer case motor and I could hear it switch on when I turned the 4x4 switch. . I then jacked the front of the truck up and locked both of the hubs. I had to use some wd-40 and channel locks to lock the hub that was stuck. Upon further inspection I noticed the hub as been hit on one side leaving me to believe why the hub would not move in the first place. I will be buying a new one soon. I then turned the key on and turned the 4x4 switch to 4w high. I then turned the front wheels and saw both tires turning. I now know I have 4x4. A short trip confirmed my findings. So the only time I have 4x4 is if I manualing lock the hubs. Correct my if I am wrong, but that only leaves the vacuum system that runs the 4x4 as the source of my problem. I was cut short by rain to take a look the vacuums lines. Hopefully I will get a good day this weekend to trace the vacuum leak. My question now is could that be the only problem or could it be something else.

 

Well, you pretty much have it nailed to the vacuum being the problem but it could be something besides the lines. The vacuum lines can be prone to cracking and leaking, but there is an o-ring inside the hub that can also begin to leak which would be a more difficult problem to repair. The hub must be removed to access this o-ring. There is an o-ring on the autolock hub also that could have been damaged if the hub was hit, causing the leak. The autolock hubs are easy to remove, just take the spring clip off and they will pull straight off. Easy to check.

 

I believe that both wheels will turn with just the hubs being locked. You said you confirmed you had 4wheel drive. Did you feel the front wheels pulling? I hope you do have it narrowed down.

 

Yes both wheels were pulling. I will pull the hubs off this weekend? If it is the vacuum lines, is the delearship the best place to get the lines?