4x4 Hub problem
Of the next Riffraff East
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 8,679
Likes: 2
From: Concord NC
Please post the fix once you get it fixed. I would like to know what is going on with your hubs. Like I said, I never ran across this problem, but would like to know the fix.
Good luck.
EDIT: I just went out and locked my hubs and made sharp turns in the parking lot. I could not feel any binding at all. I knew it wouldn't because it is an open style front end. You may have a transfer case problem.
Good luck.
EDIT: I just went out and locked my hubs and made sharp turns in the parking lot. I could not feel any binding at all. I knew it wouldn't because it is an open style front end. You may have a transfer case problem.
Also, If you can't turn the front axle when it is supposed to be in 2wd, then is sounds like your transfer case in still engaged. If so, then you turning a bunch of extra stuff. This is costing you fuel mileage and extra wear and tear.
Thread Starter
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Senior User
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 249
Likes: 0
From: Ont Canada
K i'm pretty sure I got it figured out now. my hubs were sticking and going into 4x4 when i turn but that was only happening cause my transfer case is stuck on so thats why the hubs will go into 4x4 when it's still in 2wd. so i'm sure everyones truck from time to time has had there hubs do that when they turn but you will only feel it if your transfer case is locked in. the fix is suppost to be the solinoid it's going to the shop tomorrow hopefully it's good to go after that.
Of the next Riffraff East
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 8,679
Likes: 2
From: Concord NC
Hubs are not supposed to lock and unlock by themselves. That part is still not right. Hope your right about the solenoid. If it is a stuck solenoid, then unplugging the motor should cause it to unlock the transfer case.
Hook it, I'll pull it.
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 15,037
Likes: 4
From: Grand Lake, La.
Glad you figured it out. And yes, if the solenoid is bad, the one on the passenger side of the firewall, then it could be sending vacuum to the hubs at random times. You could unplug it and not have them engage for the time being.
Let us know how this turns out.
Let us know how this turns out.
Junior User
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 54
Likes: 0
I have had a similar issue with an '04 F350. I actually heard a loud bang when using the 4wd. The engagement of the 4wd then became sparactic. My mechanic replaced the driver's side hub at $500 and everything was fine. Two weeks later, the same thing happened with the passenger side. It too was replaced and things were back to normal operation. It has since been two months and the driver's side hub is now hanging up just as you described. Mine especially hangs up when in reverse and when it grabs it pulls the truck to the left. It also makes a loud "ratcheting" noise. I realize this is not a solution, but I just wanted to let you know that you are not the only one with this problem and frustration. Good luck.....
Shifting into 4X4 causes the front drive axles to spin before the hubs can engage and may burr the edges of the locking parts of the hubs so they won't slip into place.
It's always a good idea whenever possible to lock the hubs before getting into a situation where 4X4 is needed.
Jack
Hook it, I'll pull it.
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 15,037
Likes: 4
From: Grand Lake, La.
Assuming you have manual hubs, turn the hubs to lock position and slowly move the truck a few feet before shifting into 4X4. Doing this will allow the hubs to fully engage.
Shifting into 4X4 causes the front drive axles to spin before the hubs can engage and may burr the edges of the locking parts of the hubs so they won't slip into place.
It's always a good idea whenever possible to lock the hubs before getting into a situation where 4X4 is needed.
Jack
Shifting into 4X4 causes the front drive axles to spin before the hubs can engage and may burr the edges of the locking parts of the hubs so they won't slip into place.
It's always a good idea whenever possible to lock the hubs before getting into a situation where 4X4 is needed.
Jack
Jack, he has auto hubs.
Thread Starter
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Senior User
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 249
Likes: 0
From: Ont Canada
the part on my hubs that is siezed is that little end piece where you put it from auto to lock I can't move that at all. and i took apart the hubs and they looked good inside the gears had lots of grease but there still stuck.
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New User
Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 2
Likes: 0
2004 f-150
I read through this post and seem to be facing a similar issue. 4x4 is definitely not engaged (I jacked the truck up and when in 4x2 only the rear tires are spinning) however when I turn, I feel the front tires grabbing and making a binding noise. Any thoughts or suggestions? I heard mention of a solenoid... I will being looking at that tomorrow. Thanks for any suggestions.
Post Fiend
Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 11,798
Likes: 14
From: Mt. Shasta California
I read through this post and seem to be facing a similar issue. 4x4 is definitely not engaged (I jacked the truck up and when in 4x2 only the rear tires are spinning) however when I turn, I feel the front tires grabbing and making a binding noise. Any thoughts or suggestions? I heard mention of a solenoid... I will being looking at that tomorrow. Thanks for any suggestions.
Senior User
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 210
Likes: 2
From: Welland, On
If you think it its the hubs, you could pull the hubs, both sides and do a test drive. If it is still pulling it can't be the hubs. I found out on my 04 that going from lock to unlock does not unlock one of my hubs. Its not the vacuum but something binding in the rotating ****. So I took both hubs apart, rotated the ***** to auto, made sure that whatever is behind the diphram goes outboard, then put the hubs back together. If everything is working, the inner splines should rotate. Then put the hubs back on the truck and leave it in auto. Because my vacuum works, I get 4x4 or 2wd. I am going to leave it this way, just like all the hubs I find at the wreckers that don't rotate. Every once in a while I ask my wife to move the truck to make sure that the front drive shaft is not rotating and every once in a while I switch to 4x4 to rotate the front to keep the universals lubed. Hope you find your problem and please keep us posted. I too am interested in the solution.
Post Fiend
Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 11,798
Likes: 14
From: Mt. Shasta California
Yea the 4x4 lite goes on when i put it in 4x4. my mechanic says he thinks that the hubs are sticking and there half engaged so when i turn the one hub will engage and thats why when i push the gas it will pull the truck to the one side cause the one front wheel is driving.
New User
Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 2
Likes: 0
Thx for reply guys.
So... any tips to pulling the hubs? I'm not too experienced but a quick learner. I checked all the fuses today for something easy but no luck. There are two fuse looking devices (relays I think) under hood on drivers side but not sure how to test.