4WD, Front end question
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Postmaster
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From: The Wilderness
4WD, Front end question
I have a 95 F150 5.8L 4x4 with automatic hubs and I was wondering whether or not the front axle shafts and driveshaft to the transfer case should be spinning when the truck is driven in 2WD. If they are supposed to, mine is working fine, if they arent supposed to... that is another story.
Anyone got the answer? thanks!
Josh
Anyone got the answer? thanks!
Josh
Post Fiend
Joined: Jan 2004
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From: Elkhart IN
The shaft may just be moving because of friction in the hubs/case. put the truck in park, crawl under there and see if you can spin the front shaft. If you can, then at least the case and one hub is unlocked. if you cant, then either the hubs are froze up, or the case is locked in.
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From: The Wilderness
They are the factory auto hubs, and about seeing if they are moving while driving... that was a little tricky 
go slow, practically lay on the floor, and take a peek! not on a public road, of course.
Thanks for the info, I will check it out in the morning!
go slow, practically lay on the floor, and take a peek! not on a public road, of course.Thanks for the info, I will check it out in the morning!
Carpenter Local 745
Joined: Apr 2006
Posts: 5,794
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From: on da beach
I thought that I was the only person to check the front end operation that way
I wonder if your hubs are not disengaged. I know most people switch out those autos for better manuals, I did.
Did you check your Tcase for binding, the front dshaft should spin freely.
I wonder if your hubs are not disengaged. I know most people switch out those autos for better manuals, I did.
Did you check your Tcase for binding, the front dshaft should spin freely.
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From: The Wilderness
Hey! after climbing under the truck (parked this time) I turned the shaft, and it turned about a half of a turn and then stopped, I felt it engage something, now it wont turn either way, it is locked in.
Does this sound like a hub problem?
thanks
I turned the shaft, and it turned about a half of a turn and then stopped, I felt it engage something, now it wont turn either way, it is locked in.Does this sound like a hub problem?
thanks
Post Fiend
Joined: Jun 2004
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From: Joppa, Maryland
I think with auto hubs of that year you have to drive backwards for a little bit to disengage them, maybe they are still engaged?
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Carpenter Local 745
Joined: Apr 2006
Posts: 5,794
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From: on da beach
Do you have an electric 4x system or a manual one.
Try engaging your 4x system and driving it straight on your street for about 20 feet.
Disengage the 4x system and reverse to unlock the front hubs.
Then park the truck and check the rotation of the frt dshaft.
If it frees it could be the hubs, you may have to check t case after.
Sometimes these hubs do not disengage comepletly, if so they usually click when partially engaged.
Try engaging your 4x system and driving it straight on your street for about 20 feet.
Disengage the 4x system and reverse to unlock the front hubs.
Then park the truck and check the rotation of the frt dshaft.
If it frees it could be the hubs, you may have to check t case after.
Sometimes these hubs do not disengage comepletly, if so they usually click when partially engaged.
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From: The Wilderness
It is an electric system, and i will try that tomorrow, it is about zero degrees F right now, and I dont want to start the truck for 15 seconds when its that cold.
that does kinda make sense, tho, since the hubs lock in when the axle turns forward, they wont unlock until the tension is backed off. this is just a guess, since I have no idea how those hubs work
thanks for the help
that does kinda make sense, tho, since the hubs lock in when the axle turns forward, they wont unlock until the tension is backed off. this is just a guess, since I have no idea how those hubs work
thanks for the help
Carpenter Local 745
Joined: Apr 2006
Posts: 5,794
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From: on da beach
Are you a big fan of those auto hubs? I got rid of mine the day after they unlocked on me in the sand. My Warns a great and are unlocked when I need them to be unlocked.
Just a thought- BTW I do not work for Warn, I hope our suggestions help you out.
Just a thought- BTW I do not work for Warn, I hope our suggestions help you out.
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Postmaster
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From: The Wilderness
yeah, I have considered manual hubs, there are a lot of things I have considered actually, but I dont have a lot of spare cash laying around, so I just fix stuff when it absolutly needs it, or when I have the extra cash and the wife O.K.s it. (you married guys know what I mean)
btw, how hard is it to swap in manual hubs, and would anyone care to explain to me how the auto hubs work? Maybe some grease might help them to disengage, if they arent working right (temporary fix)
Yeah, I hope the suggestions help out too! thats one thing that I am very happy about is how helpful people are on this forum, I really appreciate it.
Tomorrow morning I will try whats mentioned above and report back.
btw, how hard is it to swap in manual hubs, and would anyone care to explain to me how the auto hubs work? Maybe some grease might help them to disengage, if they arent working right (temporary fix)
Yeah, I hope the suggestions help out too! thats one thing that I am very happy about is how helpful people are on this forum, I really appreciate it.
Tomorrow morning I will try whats mentioned above and report back.
Carpenter Local 745
Joined: Apr 2006
Posts: 5,794
Likes: 11
From: on da beach
I wish I had more info about autohubs for you, but I never spent time looking at them- once in the trash it was gone for good.
Here is some good info about manual hubs- I paid 180.00 here in Hawai'i, mainland prices should be way lower. It takes about an hour to install both units and you will need a allen wrench. o ring removers - a set at auto parts stores is only a few buck for about 5 picks, and maybe a very large screwdriver or small prybar (to adjust axle if retaining ring will not seat) that's it.
Some axles may need a adapter kit with the new hubs, so double check when you get the new hubs.
I know about the cash thing, but feeding the family comes first. I have to feed myself too
.
I have to budget my repairs also, so I know the feeling- priorities.
Take your time and enjoy the ride.
Here is some good info about manual hubs- I paid 180.00 here in Hawai'i, mainland prices should be way lower. It takes about an hour to install both units and you will need a allen wrench. o ring removers - a set at auto parts stores is only a few buck for about 5 picks, and maybe a very large screwdriver or small prybar (to adjust axle if retaining ring will not seat) that's it.
Some axles may need a adapter kit with the new hubs, so double check when you get the new hubs.
I know about the cash thing, but feeding the family comes first. I have to feed myself too
.I have to budget my repairs also, so I know the feeling- priorities.
Take your time and enjoy the ride.
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Postmaster
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From: The Wilderness
After checking things out this morning, (it warmed up to 8 above!) I think they are still working, when I noticed that the shafts were still moving, I probably hadnt reversed out of it yet. But I put it in 4WD drove a bit, took it out, and watched and listened under the truck, when I reversed I heard one hub clunk, but the shafts still spun, so I put it in drive and went forward a bit, and the other hub clunked and the shafts quit spinning.
One thing I was thinking was, since this has auto hubs, I shouldnt be able to free wheel the shafts while in 2wd, because if the shafts spin freely with out engaging, what would make them engage the hubs when I put it in 4wd? I think when i spun the shaft, it would spin about the half turn, and then I am guessing it engages the hubs and therefore quits turning.
So, at least I know everything is still working, and I should get along fine with the auto hubs for now, until I have the money, or until they fail on me!
Thanks for the help, you guys on this forum have come to my aid yet again!
One thing I was thinking was, since this has auto hubs, I shouldnt be able to free wheel the shafts while in 2wd, because if the shafts spin freely with out engaging, what would make them engage the hubs when I put it in 4wd? I think when i spun the shaft, it would spin about the half turn, and then I am guessing it engages the hubs and therefore quits turning.
So, at least I know everything is still working, and I should get along fine with the auto hubs for now, until I have the money, or until they fail on me!
Thanks for the help, you guys on this forum have come to my aid yet again!
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Postmaster
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From: The Wilderness
Thanks for the tip, hopefully in the next few days I will be able to grease 'em up. But I am not super worried about swapping to manual hubs now, If I can make it through the winter with out them giving me any trouble, I will change them out in the spring. thanks again for all the help!
Josh
Josh