Ok guys,
I hope someone can help me out here I got a 2004 F-250 Crew Cab 5.4 tri. with 50,000 miles I have an extened warrenty but I want ammo before I take it in. here are my issue.
1. cold starts you can hear knocking from the engine.
2. when the hubs are locked and you make a hard turn at low speeds you get knocking from the hubs.
3. power steering sometimes its easy to turn some times its harder to turn.
4. going uphill at about 2000 rpm shifting from 3rd to 4th (automatic) you get a grinding as it shifts from one gear to the other.
5. when in 4 wheel drive its hard to turn the truck if your giving it gas.
6. in 4 wheel drive it seams like it slips a little.
7. in 2 wheel drive if you drive forward up to a parking block and rest against it then slowly try to climb it you get a slight slip then it goes over the block.


What do you guys think? this is the first 4 wheel drive truck i've had so maybe some of it is me.

Let me know guys

JD

 

Well for one, when your in 4 wheel drive or just have the hubs locked you should be on somthing other than pavement. The front wheels will slip a little and bind up when turing, this is normal but if your in the dirt, snow, etc. it wont hurt it because it will let it slip, but if your on pavement it will cause damage if u do it to much. I know with my psd that it is hard to turn because of the vacum issue at slow speed, but I dont believe its the same case with the gassers. I hope this helps you out a little and someone with be along to help out more im sure.

 

“2. When the hubs are locked and you make a hard turn at low speeds you get knocking from the hubs.”

For Issue 2 it sounds like the inner axle seal and or CV Boot.
I had the same problem with my wife's truck it was also causing it to steer a little harder.
Ford fixed it and it steers better and the clicking during turns stopped.

 

1. Gonna have a problem with this, see as we are sure there is a problem, either a wrist pin, or a rod knock, or a piston skirt banging around, it is not quite broken yet. Does that make sense? A warranty co. does not see things the way we do, the see broke,or not broke.In this case, it is not broke (yet)
2. Something they are going to have to look at, possibly a set of needle bearings up there.
3. Steering easy, and hard, is this in 2wd drive only, or is this related to your problem #5?
4. Uphill upshift grinding noise, yeah that is trouble, but again not broken yet.
5. Hard to turn in 4wd. It was explained above. This is a normal symptom with a 4x4. Because the front end is engaged, you will find resistance in the steering wheel. Hope this answers #3 also.
6. If the trans does not slip in 2wd, it will not change just because it is in 4wd.
7. It would appear that you are just experiencing normal slippage from the torque converter. Does the tachometer go up excessively, or just a few hundred rpm when the throttle is applied? If it is only a few hundred, and not 1500 or something like that, you are probably normal.
A couple of bugs there, but it sounds like you can resolve them.

 

OK guys answer me one thing reading the owners manual I should be able to lock my hubs in during the winter and have no issue driving like this ( manual hubs) and then have the option of engaging the 4wd unit also it says I should be able to run 4 high on dry payment.
Is this true from some of the above comments sounds like its not.

 

Sure you can lock the hubs and leave em if you want the extra wear and tear on front parts. I usually only lock em when I need em..Never drive in 4wd on dry pave for any distance,,only in rare situations,100 yards etc pulling someone..excesive binding..


Dick

 

I know a guy that has a 2001 f150 ex cab 4x4 5.4 that according to him has knocked at cold startup since new now has 200k miles.Alot of chevys suffer from a similar problem, piston skirt slapping causing a knock sound.Not sure if this is the same issue with the 5.4 as Ive not had that problem.As for the noise when turning with hubs locked sounds like u joints to me especially if they are only locked in occasionally in winter.