4x4 Hub problem
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Senior User
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 249
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From: Ont Canada
4x4 Hub problem
I have a 2002 ford f-250 with the auto vacuum 4x4 and i've had nothing but problems with it. right now the 4x4 still works but when i turn a corner left the right hub will engage on its own and pulls the truck all over the place and you have to jerk the wheel hard to unluck the hub and it does the same if i turn a right corner. has anyone else had this problem the hubs are only a year old brand new from ford???
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Senior User
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 249
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From: Ont Canada
no it is the 4x4 hub cause if i don't jerk the wheel to unluck it i can stop in the grass or gravel and the front wheel will spin. its a canadian truck so i don't know if that makes a difference with the salt and corrosion compared to the southern trucks
Hook it, I'll pull it.
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 15,037
Likes: 4
From: Grand Lake, La.
If the tire spins then your transfer case is still engadged. With the key in the on position with truck not running, turn the **** to 4x4 and listen for the motor engadging the transfer case. If you don't hear the motor you might be stuck in 4x4. If you have a vacuum leak that could cause the hubs not to release. Does the 4x4 lite when you turn the **** to 4x4?
Of the next Riffraff East
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 8,679
Likes: 2
From: Concord NC
Hubs, locked or unlocked will not affect the trucks steering or handling, unless the tranfer case is also engaged. One problem I have heard of recently is the transfer case bolts becoming loose and causing it to bind. Also, do as Rick said and make sure your tranfer motor is not stuck. Your hubs could be stuck in lock but that's not what causing the jerking.
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Senior User
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 249
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From: Ont Canada
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.
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Hook it, I'll pull it.
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 15,037
Likes: 4
From: Grand Lake, La.
You can lock both front auto hubs and not have the transfer case in 4x4 and you will not feel anything different. The front end is an open design, not like the LS on the rear. Even in full 4x4 both front tires will not spin. I have had one of my auto hubs locked and the other not and no way to tell by driving.
Good luck.
Good luck.
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Hook it, I'll pull it.
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 15,037
Likes: 4
From: Grand Lake, La.
Do this, put your auto hubs in auto and switch in 2wd. Get under the truck and you should be able to turn the front drive shaft by hand. If you can't turn the drive shaft, go to each wheel and turn the yoke for each front wheel. You might have to use a long screwdriver to get it to start turning. If it turns free start looking elsewhere.
New User
Joined: Aug 2007
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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.....
Thread Starter
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Senior User
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 249
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From: Ont Canada
Do this, put your auto hubs in auto and switch in 2wd. Get under the truck and you should be able to turn the front drive shaft by hand. If you can't turn the drive shaft, go to each wheel and turn the yoke for each front wheel. You might have to use a long screwdriver to get it to start turning. If it turns free start looking elsewhere.
Hook it, I'll pull it.
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 15,037
Likes: 4
From: Grand Lake, La.
I did mine a couple weeks ago. Very easy after the first time. Take your time and follow the steps.
Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 1,810
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From: Central Ohio
I just wanted to say the above is true if the hubs are like this from a stop. However if a hub were to randomly engage, especially going around a turn, I would think the sudden extra resistance spinning up the half shaft would be able to feel for at least a second and could potentially pull on the wheel around a corner.
Postmaster
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 4,743
Likes: 3
From: Peoria, IL
You can lock both front auto hubs and not have the transfer case in 4x4 and you will not feel anything different. The front end is an open design, not like the LS on the rear. Even in full 4x4 both front tires will not spin. I have had one of my auto hubs locked and the other not and no way to tell by driving.
Good luck.
Good luck.
Hook it, I'll pull it.
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 15,037
Likes: 4
From: Grand Lake, La.
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.