I feel a little dumb asking this question, but figure this is the forum where I can get some good answers. I have a '94 F250 Extra Cab 4x4 with an E40D Transmission. The transmission was rebuilt at about 82,000 miles. I rarely if ever use my 4 wheel drive, but occasionally when camping, I like to use it when pulling my camp trailer out of some sandy camp spots. The last time I tried to do this I discovered my four-wheel drive wasn't working. It is an automatic with automatic locking hubs (it just has the stick on the floor). When I try to engage the four-wheel drive it will "click" and sound/feel like it is going in fine. The little red display on my dash will even show "4x4" but it is not working at all. I know it is not working because I was spinning just my rear wheels and had two other guys standing there trying to help me get out. I tried it again after getting home on just dry flat ground but with the same results.

My question is, what basic things can I check to help diagnose the problem? I'm not a mechanical idiot, but I also don't feel very comfortable with transmissions and hate taking it into a shop sounding totally ignorant, or being vulnerable for unnecessary repairs. Are there some basic things I can report back to some of you on this forum that will help me identify the potential cause of the problem? Thanks in advance for any advice or help offered.

 

Well it sounds like your transfer case is engaging, I would say your hubs may be the problem. A lot of times the atuo hubs gum up or go bad from lack of use or wear.

You could convert to manual locking hubs for about $60, you would need to manualy turn the ****, but it sounds like you really don't use it all that much to where it would be a problem.

 

>Well it sounds like your transfer case is engaging, I would
>say your hubs may be the problem. A lot of times the atuo
>hubs gum up or go bad from lack of use or wear.
>
>You could convert to manual locking hubs for about $60, you
>would need to manualy turn the ****, but it sounds like you
>really don't use it all that much to where it would be a
>problem.

So...dumb question #2, how do I determine for sure if my hubs are gummed up or bad? Can I regrease them or do something first to see if I can get them working. If I convert to manual locking hubs, is that $60.00 per hub and is it a job that a guy with average mechanical skills could do?

 

[updated:LAST EDITED ON 16-May-02 AT 07:59 PM (EST)]>
>So...dumb question #2, how do I determine for sure if my
>hubs are gummed up or bad? Can I regrease them or do
>something first to see if I can get them working. If I
>convert to manual locking hubs, is that $60.00 per hub and
>is it a job that a guy with average mechanical skills could
>do?


Tell ya the truth, I never had auto hubs apart, I had them on my 93 f150, they weren't engaging (what you described) I just took them off and s@#t canned them and put a set of super winch manual hubs on it.
The last pair I bought off the shelf at pep boys for under $40 bucks, not worth my time to try to re build them.
If your transfer case is engaged, your front shaft should turn, so if it is in fact turnning that means your case is good. That would mean that your hubs are not engaging the axle shafts in your front axle.

$60 is for the pair, Im sure you could find them cheaper, and yes a guy with average skills should have no problem what so ever.

Some to look at are: super winch , warn, mile marker

Do a search on Ebay, locking hubs, tons of them on there.

 

I think the auto hubs are very sensitive to proper lubrication. Ford specifies a unique grease for them, "Automatic Hublock Grease", part number E1TZ-1950-A. You may want to disassemble them and regrease with the correct stuff.

The Superwinch hubs from PepBoys ($36) are the easiest way to go. I installed them in ten minutes per side. They also had Warn hubs for $60, but the Superwinch seem to be made of better materials, iron instead of aluminum and aluminum instead of plastic.

Jim

 

Thanks for the responses. I think you've got me on the right track. I'm going to check out the existing hubs and possibly re-lubricate/grease them and if they still don't work, look at getting some manual locking hubs.

 

anther thing you want to look at while you are down by the axle is the vaccum or electric wire that goes to the axle that signals the hubs to lock in it might be cracked or broken and that is why your hubs are not engaging but the conversion to manual hubs is by far the better way to go.

 

>anther thing you want to look at while you are down by the
>axle is the vaccum or electric wire that goes to the axle
>that signals the hubs to lock in it might be cracked or
>broken and that is why your hubs are not engaging but the
>conversion to manual hubs is by far the better way to go.

This only apply's to the newer model trucks. The older ones (pre97?) use a cam to engage the rotation of the axle. (btw, those new vacuum hubs are a PITA!)


Personally, I wouldnt spend 2 minutes on an auto hub. You will save yourself a bunch of headaches by just replacing them with manuals.



Good luck!


Chris

 

Your transmition is fine since you can drive in 2WD, so you need to start at the transfer case.

Sometimes the front drive shaft will turn even when ou are not in 4WD.
Shift it ino 4WD, then crawl under the truck and see if you can turn the driveline. If you can't, then the transfer case should be ok. Start looking at the axle.

If you can see the knuckle joints on the axle, make sure one is not broken. If you can see them, also turn your front drive shaft by hand and look to see if the axle shafts spin also.

If all that works ok, then it is probably the hubs, and I would suggest manualy locking hubs too.

Silly rabbit. Jeeps are for chicks!!
"If you're not getting stuck, you're not trying"
76 F100

 

I had a new 96 F150 351 with the auto locking hubs. They failed almost immediately after I took delivery. The first snow storm we had after I got the truck, they failed on the way home, had to slp and slide in 2 wheel drive. Took it to Ford, they replaced them under warranty, but those failed too. Put manuals lockers in, no more problems. Autolocks are convenient, but they are crap. It's an easy cheap fix to put in manual hubs and you'll never have to worry about not being able to lock in your 4 wheel drive again when you need it.

 

auto hubs are a joke! you can get a decent pair of Warn hunbs an auto wrecker for like $20, the are way tougher than the stock ford plastic (heh heh who'd a guessed) little grease and an allan key you are back in buisness