Common 4wd Problems?
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Common 4wd Problems?
Hey guys I've been having some issues with 4wd. Last night I was trying to take my truck into the woods, and before going in I got out and locked my hubs and kicked it in 4L to lock it into 4wd. It seemed like it when into 4L because it had alot of torque. After that I shifted into 4H and rocked it into reverse and first a few times to make sure it was in. Without verifying that 4wd kicked in, i proceeded into the woods only to get stuck soon thereafter. A gasser then proceeded to pull me out, which was almost embarassing.
My question is, what are some things to look for to get my 4wd fixed. I can't really afford a shop to look at it right now. What are some common problems with our trucks clicking into 4wd?
My question is, what are some things to look for to get my 4wd fixed. I can't really afford a shop to look at it right now. What are some common problems with our trucks clicking into 4wd?
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From: Virginia
If you are like me, I am having a hard time figuring out the shift pattern on the transfer case. My F150 just pulled straight back to go through all the transfer case modes, but this diesel I have now pulls back, but then you have to pull it over and pull back for the other modes. I have been having trouble getting it into the right gear, and one time had it pop out, but I am thinking in my case it's operator error. Mine has lights in the dash that also tell you what 4wd drive mode you are in.
Post Fiend
Joined: Nov 2003
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From: Nutter Fort, WV
Were either of the front tires spinning when you were stuck?
I would say the most common problem is heavy grease in the locking hub mechanisim.
When it is cold outside, the heavy grease gets so stiff the hubs do not engage.
So there you sit with no front axle pulling you.
I washed all the heavy grease out of the hubs on mine.
Used Vasoline to give it just a bit of lubrication where the selector rides on the locking mechanisim.
Works like a champ to 25 below, that is as cold as I have tested it so far.
Next is the hubs need replaced.
If you have a 44 IFS in your truck, the hubs do break rather easy.
When I had a 44, I always used the cheapest locking hubs I could find.
That way they broke before the stub axle broke.
Hubs are much easier and cheaper to change than an axle is.
Are you sure both hubs were turned to Lock?
Easy mistake to make in the dark.
Are you sure you were in four high with the transfer case?
Did you try 4 low?
I would say the most common problem is heavy grease in the locking hub mechanisim.
When it is cold outside, the heavy grease gets so stiff the hubs do not engage.
So there you sit with no front axle pulling you.
I washed all the heavy grease out of the hubs on mine.
Used Vasoline to give it just a bit of lubrication where the selector rides on the locking mechanisim.
Works like a champ to 25 below, that is as cold as I have tested it so far.
Next is the hubs need replaced.
If you have a 44 IFS in your truck, the hubs do break rather easy.
When I had a 44, I always used the cheapest locking hubs I could find.
That way they broke before the stub axle broke.
Hubs are much easier and cheaper to change than an axle is.
Are you sure both hubs were turned to Lock?
Easy mistake to make in the dark.
Are you sure you were in four high with the transfer case?
Did you try 4 low?
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Dave,
Neither of my front wheels were spinning.
Both Hubs were turned to lock.
I have a 44 IFS.
I thought I was in 4 High because it said 4x4 on the dash, not 4x4 Low Range.
I did try 4L as stated in the original post (you probably missed it), and it seemed to lock in because it had a lot of torque.
I'll check tomorrow for grease on the hubs.
Any further help is greatly appreciated
Chris
Neither of my front wheels were spinning.
Both Hubs were turned to lock.
I have a 44 IFS.
I thought I was in 4 High because it said 4x4 on the dash, not 4x4 Low Range.
I did try 4L as stated in the original post (you probably missed it), and it seemed to lock in because it had a lot of torque.
I'll check tomorrow for grease on the hubs.
Any further help is greatly appreciated
Chris
Post Fiend
Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 21,285
Likes: 16
From: Nutter Fort, WV
Do you know if you have a 1345 or a 1356 transfer case?
I have a 1345, 4 high is a bit funny to engage sometimes.
I alway switch mine to 4 high while rolling.
With limited slip in both ends, I don't need it a lot.
When it is locked in, there is no question about it being in though.
4 low is always there, slips in 4 low very easy.
If the rear wheels are spinning and the front drive shaft is turning, my guess is one of the locking hubs is fubar.
Truck in gear, transfer case in 2 high.
Both hubs locked.
See if you can turn the driveshaft going to the front axle.
If you see one axle spinning at the U joint behind the wheel, that is the one that needs hub work.
While you are checking, unlock both hubs and put the transfer case in 4 high.
Can you turn the front drive shaft?
Repeat for 4 low.
As I remember the cheapest Warn hubs were about 50 dollars a pair, but that has been several years since I bought the last set.
I have a 1345, 4 high is a bit funny to engage sometimes.
I alway switch mine to 4 high while rolling.
With limited slip in both ends, I don't need it a lot.
When it is locked in, there is no question about it being in though.
4 low is always there, slips in 4 low very easy.
If the rear wheels are spinning and the front drive shaft is turning, my guess is one of the locking hubs is fubar.
Truck in gear, transfer case in 2 high.
Both hubs locked.
See if you can turn the driveshaft going to the front axle.
If you see one axle spinning at the U joint behind the wheel, that is the one that needs hub work.
While you are checking, unlock both hubs and put the transfer case in 4 high.
Can you turn the front drive shaft?
Repeat for 4 low.
As I remember the cheapest Warn hubs were about 50 dollars a pair, but that has been several years since I bought the last set.
Last edited by Dave Sponaugle; Jan 20, 2008 at 10:26 PM.
Laughing Gas
Joined: Aug 2007
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From: Baldwin, ND
Blaster
If your vehicle felt as though it was in 4 lo that would tell you that the transfer case is working. The power isnt making it from there (transfer case) to the front axle but is to the rear axle, which is the the reason for the "torquey" feel (as you probably already knew). Someone else will most likely give you a solution...or tell me why I am way off for some reason....good luck....
I am having 4wd issues also as I found out while in my back yard after a hard few days of rain.....deep ruts+yelling vulgarities=not good......
If your vehicle felt as though it was in 4 lo that would tell you that the transfer case is working. The power isnt making it from there (transfer case) to the front axle but is to the rear axle, which is the the reason for the "torquey" feel (as you probably already knew). Someone else will most likely give you a solution...or tell me why I am way off for some reason....good luck....
I am having 4wd issues also as I found out while in my back yard after a hard few days of rain.....deep ruts+yelling vulgarities=not good......
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Dakotajeep:
So It could say I'm in 4 Low and it feel torquey, but still not be in 4 low, more like 2 low, because it's not transferring it to the front driveshaft?
That would make sense.
Dave:
Not sure which case I have, but I'm going to try everything you said tomorrow so hopefully it wont be so cold to lay on the ground and try some of this stuff out.
Thanks for your guys' help, and any additional information is always greatly appreciated
Chris
So It could say I'm in 4 Low and it feel torquey, but still not be in 4 low, more like 2 low, because it's not transferring it to the front driveshaft?
That would make sense.
Dave:
Not sure which case I have, but I'm going to try everything you said tomorrow so hopefully it wont be so cold to lay on the ground and try some of this stuff out.
Thanks for your guys' help, and any additional information is always greatly appreciated
Chris
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Laughing Gas
Joined: Aug 2007
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From: Baldwin, ND
Blaster
Thats exactly correct. I am not a Transfer case guru so there may be something quirky with your transfer case thats causing that......My uncle will use "2lo" (4lo with the front hubs unlocked) when backing up large trailers up inclines in the yard so it can just idle around....
Thats exactly correct. I am not a Transfer case guru so there may be something quirky with your transfer case thats causing that......My uncle will use "2lo" (4lo with the front hubs unlocked) when backing up large trailers up inclines in the yard so it can just idle around....
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From: On a farm.
My BW 1345 has always been cranky getting into low range... probably because I don't use it all that much!
Anyway, if it really went into high and low-range but no front drive, I'm with Dave: Check the front hubs first. I knew a guy that drove for a year with a broken outer shaft too... it broke just behind the splines of the hub. Couldn't hear of feel a thing just no front drive.
Anyway, if it really went into high and low-range but no front drive, I'm with Dave: Check the front hubs first. I knew a guy that drove for a year with a broken outer shaft too... it broke just behind the splines of the hub. Couldn't hear of feel a thing just no front drive.
Post Fiend
Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 21,285
Likes: 16
From: Nutter Fort, WV
I can't even guess how many stub axles I have broken.
Chains on the front axle and a D 44 are not a good combination.
Snow plow weight and a D 44 are not a good combination.
14,000 pound trailer up a 15% blacktop slope on a 98 degree day and a D44 are not a good combination.
The list is very long.
Chains on the front axle and a D 44 are not a good combination.
Snow plow weight and a D 44 are not a good combination.
14,000 pound trailer up a 15% blacktop slope on a 98 degree day and a D44 are not a good combination.
The list is very long.
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buzzrd
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