4X4 not disengaging
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Senior User
Joined: Sep 2006
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4X4 not disengaging
on the way home tonight i noticed my truck slowing down really quick and there was alot of noise coming out of the front end. so i stopped and put it in reverse and checked the hubs. the rest of the way home i kept trying to get it out but it wouldnt. when i got home i set still and turned it back to 4X4 and i could hear a clicking noise in the front end like it was stuck in between four whell drive and two wheel drive. i took it up the road again and switched it back and forth and finally the 4X4 light came on and the truck works perfect now. i was just wondering if anybody has had any problems like this in their trucks. THANKS
Post Fiend
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 10,007
Likes: 4
From: Central Florida
No, luckily my 4 wheel drive is a champ. Depending on where the noise was is where I would start. Ford seems almost notorius for crappy hubs, I understand the superduties have a problem with vacume lines, but I am not sure of what it entails.
New User
Joined: Jun 2003
Posts: 4
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I had a problem with mine doing the same thing. I was able to eventually get it out of 4 WD and ignored it since I dont use 4wd that often. It came back to haunt me later when I had to replace the LF hub. the problem was caused by the vacum line coming loose from the steering knuckle and water getting into the hub. A long drawn out way of saying CHECK the VACUM LINES going to the STEERING KNUCKLES !!!
Junior User
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 54
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I had the same problem with my 2001 SD. Ford replaced the vacuum pump, which solved this. I have also been told that there is an "O" ring in the hub that may cause the same problem. I now have a 2003 SD that has a mind of it's own when 4wLow or back to 4wH is selected at the Shift on the Fly switch. I have tried everything but take it to the Dealer. Does anyone know of a remedy for this?
Fred E
Fred E
Senior User
Joined: Feb 2002
Posts: 208
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From: Stockton USA
There's tons of info on this subject...just do a search...your hubs need to be serviced...remove the snap ring, pull out the outer hub gear, clean up any crud, relube and reassemble. If you still have engagement/disengagement problems it may be a vacuum problem, or the hubs need to come off entirely to clean and install new o-rings and seals. Lot's of info in the tech section here also...search and you shall find!
Freshman User
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 47
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From: Kentucky Lake
Mine did that a couple of times before the trasfer case motor went out. Then it was stuck between 4lo and neutral. Had to take it off and use the old cresent to get back into two wheel. Might get down there and beat up on it like a starter might help straighten it out.
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Elder User
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 652
Likes: 1
I see two problems here, one you tryed to engage while sitting sill, won't allways work on ESOF. Two, when was the last time the hubs have been off and serviced? My 04 with ESOF and 75,000 miles works prefect.
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Junior User
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 97
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From: Nebraska
I'm having trouble with my esof. I recently had tranny work done and it may or may not be related. I put it in 4x4 to pull out a water truck and then back to 2wd. Later that day even though the 4x4 light was off I could tell it was still in 4x4. I had to swap around between relays until I got it to release. I figured I had a bad relay. The next time I tried to shift to 4x4 no light and no 4x4. What's up? Could my esof motor do this or do I have a bad wire somewhere?
Tuned
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 361
Likes: 0
From: Eagle River, Alaska
In short: Yes. But check the electrical plug-in on it first. You say you had the trans worked on so this was probably disturbed(unplugged). Ford electrical gremlins that other brand lovers talk of, tend to be just tech issues like, no dielectric grease applied upon reassembly and lack of attention to detail electrically speaking. So check the simple stuff . Good luck and let us know what ya find.
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